Taking D&I From the Top
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obins Kaplan’s Diversity Committee, which is led by co-chairs Kellie Lerner and Brandon Vaughn and includes members from various offices, departments, and seniority levels, is responsible for establishing the diversity and inclusion priorities for the firm and serving as ambassadors to execute and publicize D&I initiatives. The firm’s managing partner, hiring chair, and professional development chair actively participate in the group, providing direct engagement of firm leadership. The Diversity Committee is also home to three working groups that identify, research, and address issues specific to women attorneys, racial and ethnic diversity, and LGBT firm members. These groups help firm members connect with one another and serve as a resource for prospective firm members.
Measuring Engagement In 2016, Robins Kaplan conducted a
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survey of all firm members to determine engagement and satisfaction. Questions touched on recruiting, professional development, diversity and inclusion, community engagement, performance management, and compensation. The Diversity Committee reviewed and analyzed the responses, and developed recommendations for follow-up actions. Attorneys are also asked to complete a survey twice each year that enables the firm to track satisfaction and work opportunities. This helps to ensure that diverse lawyers are receiving the same meaningful opportunities as non-diverse lawyers at the firm.
Keeping the Team Informed Robins Kaplan provides regular updates to firm members at partner meetings, associate meetings, and staff meetings. The firm also publishes Diversity Update, on a quarterly basis, to highlight D&I announcements, upcoming events, and firm members.
Talking to Clients and Others Robins Kaplan constantly talks to clients, prospects, and peers about its diversity initiatives. The firm offers a diversity brochure and takes every opportunity to share its D&I successes publicly. Additionally, members of the firm are frequently quoted in articles related to diversity in the legal profession. For example, Kellie Lerner and associate Chelsea Walcker recently published a thought leadership piece in the New York Law Journal outlining the need to eliminate the gender divide in the courtroom, which was written in response to former U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin’s opinion piece in the New York Times criticizing the gender imbalance of lead counsel appearing in courtrooms. Earlier in 2017, Bloomberg featured the firm’s diversity initiatives in an article titled, “Robins Kaplan Increases Diverse Hires with Rooney Rule,” which included extensive insights on diversity and inclusion from members of the firm’s diversity committee.