WE ARE DIFFERENT
Table of Contents Leadership Pledge Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
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2025 LSLD Fellow and Pathfinder
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Firm Demographics
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DEI Activity
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Awards and Recognition
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Kelley Kronenberg Cares
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DEI Scholarship Program
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Diversity Policy
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Uniqueness is Your Superpower! Diversity, equity, and inclusion are more than just words for us. They are the indelible principles guiding how we build our workforce, cultivate leadership, and create a company that is the right fit for anyone who seeks to join us.
DIVERSITY
Just like our clients and our cases, all of our employees are different, and we like it that way! We are committed to celebrating the rich diversity of the people who enable, provide, and receive our services. We listen and engage with our diverse communities, every person taking on the role of both illuminator and illuminated. Our success comes from empowering freedom of thought and opinion in an environment of safety and mutual respect. Our work, activities, and interactions are enriched by celebrating our uniqueness as well as our commonality.
EQUITY
Diversity without equity is meaningless. We ensure equal opportunity to all employees and applicants, for employment and advancement without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other defining characteristic.
INCLUSION
Inclusion unleashes the power of diversity. We endeavor to foster belonging and empowerment. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the communities we serve and where everyone feels emboldened to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are driven to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a given, not a goal. As a firm and as individuals, we seek to create a sense of belonging that transcends any role, business unit, or locale.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are. Our commitment to these values is unwavering. They drive our mission and cultivate our impact. We know that having varied perspectives helps generate better ideas to solve the complex problems of a changing and increasingly diverse world.
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Leadership Pledge
As the leaders of Kelley Kronenberg, we are proud of our membership in The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (“LCLD”), an organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who have pledged to take actions toward creating a truly diverse legal profession. Our pledges focus on building and sustaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce, collectively sharing best practices for growing equity, diversity, and inclusion industry-wide, sharing the lived experiences of marginalized and underrepresented communities disproportionately unseen in the legal profession, supporting actions in our communities that seek to achieve equity and justice for everyone, and personally investing and committing to equity, diversity, and inclusion. The LCLD honored our commitment to these ideals with their coveted Compass Award. Our participation in the LCLD inspired us to bolster our firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We endeavor to promote inclusiveness in our firm, our circles of influence, and our society. We are dedicated to creating workplaces of trust, engaging in difficult discussions, expanding unconscious bias education, and creating strategic plans to ensure our firm exemplifies diversity, equity, and inclusion. United by a spirit of activism and personal commitment, we lead by example, are swift and persistent in our actions, and challenge our colleagues to prepare future generations of diverse talent for the highest positions of leadership.
Michael Fichtel
Howard Wander
Heath Eskalyo
Principal Partner / Chief Executive Officer
Principal Partner / Chief Operating Officer
Principal Partner / Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Fichtel
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Howard L. Wander
Heath S. Eskalyo
I, Heath Eskalyo, pledge to the following:
Personal Commitment • I will use my voice as a leader in my organization and in the profession to advocate for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and in my community.
Heath S. Eskalyo Principal Partner / Chief Performance Officer
• I will use my position among my firm’s leadership to advocate for changes to improve the equity of processes such as work assignments, hiring, and compensation. • I will reinforce a culture within my organization that encourages employees to come to and leave work each day feeling that they have been authentically and visibly who they are, and by ensuring that employees feel valued, heard, and empowered as professionals.
Organizational Commitment • I will require human resources department and the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee to prepare and present to firm leadership an annual diversity and inclusion action plan and related metrics. • I will create a directory of lawyers who identify as diverse, and I will work with my firm to create an internal process to evaluate all client teams for diversity. • I will ensure that 30% of the lawyers in my firm are diverse, and are hired based on merit.
To view my full commitment, click here.
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Todd A. Haskel | Attorney Being part of the DEI committee has added value to my experience at the firm because of the ability to connect with amazing people that I would otherwise not have the chance to work with or get to know on a deeper level. The DEI Committee makes me feel like I am contributing to something meaningful and positive for the firm, and it gives me a stronger sense of community and purpose in addressing real world issues that affect all of us every day.
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2025 LCLD Program Fellow Preparing diverse, high-potential, mid-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations with professional and personal development opportunities, leadership training, relationship-building resources, and access to LCLD Members (Managing Partners and General Counsel).
Pathfinder Connecting high-potential, early-career diverse attorneys from LCLD Member organizations with foundational leadership skills and relationship-building resources during a seven-month professional development program.
1L LCLD The 1L LCLD Scholars Program is designed to give first-year law students from diverse backgrounds career development and relationship building opportunities throughout their 1L summer.
DANIELLE SPRADLEY
NADINE MATHIEU
Partner
Practice Partner
2025 Fellow
2025 Pathfinder
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role, introduction of diverse lawyers into client relationships. ccountability for diversity & inclusion by:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION Highlighting diversity and fostering inclusion throughout the firm has been imperative to the growth of Kelley Kronenberg and its ongoing development. To further the efforts of diversity within our organizational culture, the firm introduced a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. The Kelley Kronenberg Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is tasked with seeking out and utilizing our employees’ diversity in ways that bring new and richer perspectives to the firm and its clients. Additionally, the committee oversees and supports the ongoing evaluation process and related activities and initiatives that set clear expectations and accountability around diversity, equity, and inclusion across the firm. Kelley Kronenberg realizes that investing in our people yields the highest results--better business performance, increased productivity, greater profitability, and a happy workforce. Openness and support of diversity, equity, and inclusion allows our firm greater access to attract, engage, hire, and retain the best talent. Businesses with a healthy gender balance and a good mix of ethnic backgrounds are more likely to outperform their competitors. Teams that are gender, age and ethnically diverse make better decisions. Kelley Kronenberg regularly and actively invests in the necessary tools, resources, and training year round in order to best compete and lead amongst its competitors.
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Charles Lightner | Co-Chair
Erica A. Showell | Co-Chair
Director of Digital Marketing
Partner | LCLD Pathfinder Alumni
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Naomi M. Sanchez | Legal Assistant The DEI Committee has added value to my experience at the firm by allowing me to connect with other firm personnel and teaching different things, for example, Frida Kahlo and her art.
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firm demographics
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ACTIVITY
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ACTIVITY
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ACTIVITY
GRANDMA MARCIA’S NOODLE KUGEL JEWISH HOLIDAY: Yom Kippur and Hanukkah. This is a family recipe passed down from generations! INGREDIENTS
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
1/2 lb egg noodles 1/2 pt sour cream
Heat oven to 325 Degrees. Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook noodles until al dente
1/2 lb cottage cheese 4 eggs beaten
(about 7 to 8 minutes). Drain and place in bowl.
2/3 cups sugar 1/2 stick butter,
Add in butter, sugar, cinnamon, sour cream, and cottage cheese. Stir until butter is melted.
1 1/2 cups milk 1 tsp salt
Add in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Stir until well blended. Add in raisins.
1 1/2 tsp vanilla 3/4 cup golden raisins 2 tbsp cinnamon
Pour mixture into a 9x11 or 9x13 inch baking dish or casserole dish. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until kugel is firm and the top is golden brown. Cut into squares and enjoy warm or cold!
Submitted by:
Nicole Lazaroff Attorney, BJW Unit
What is your favorite thing about this recipe? Aside from this dish conjuring memories of my late grandmother, it also celebrates our family and Jewish heritage. It is also a great dish if you like both savory and sweet!
NOSH
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
BRISKET JEWISH HOLIDAY: All Jewish Holidays! Yes, this is a recipe that has been passed down for years. INGREDIENTS
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
1 cup Ketchup
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Pour over brisket.
1 tbsp Mustard 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar 1 tsp Salt
Bake at 300 covered for 2 1/2 hours.
1/4 tsp Pepper 1 Cup Water 1 tbsp Instant Onion
Separate sauce from brisket. Refrigerate over night. Bake brisket with sauce poured all over at 325 for 30 minutes and serve.
1 tbsp White Horseradish
Submitted by:
Erica Heiman Marketing Project Manager
What is your favorite thing about this recipe? The brisket is the most delicious brisket EVER! DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
NOSH
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Raymond Lowe | Chief Information Officer DEI is important especially in my role, as fresh perspectives can help me and my team foster innovation and increase creativity. As part of the leadership team at the firm I can attest to the fact that as a whole, the firm encourages all our employees to challenge the status quo if it leads to an outcome that is more efficient and effective.
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Awards & Recognitions
Women In Law Scorecard The National Law Journal
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Kelley Kronenberg Cares
CARES Since 1980, Kelley Kronenberg has made meaningful community impact a cornerstone of who we are. Through our Kelley Kronenberg Cares (KK Cares) initiative, we unite our attorneys, staff, and their families to create positive change in our communities. We partner with local charitable organizations to address critical needs and build a better future. Our commitment goes beyond traditional corporate giving – we believe in active engagement, meaningful contributions, and lasting impact that shapes communities for generations to come. The firm and our team members proudly demonstrate our dedication to giving back through support for these organizations and programs:
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Sabine Alexis FPP Compliance Manager & Executive Assistant to Jeffrey M. Wank, FPP Chair Diversity, equity and inclusion are important in the workplace because it allows for different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to be represented and valued. Diversity is important because including employees from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences brings diverse perspectives and ideas to the table.
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Diversity Policy It is easy to proclaim the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”); the challenge is to create a culture centered on and driven by these values. Knowing systemic inclusion begins with vigorous guidelines, we developed a comprehensive set of company policies to establish and maintain a culture of equity and belonging. Our DEI policy assures our employees they will be valued as individuals and treated fairly--it encourages our employees to embrace their uniqueness and actively participate in all our firm has to offer. While our DEI policy includes the necessary provisions for raising complaints, addressing violations, and resolving disputes, we are hopeful our affirming environment and unwavering commitment to open-communication, collaboration, and authenticity will make use of these policies unnecessary.
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Gabriela Garcia | Legal Assistant It has made me feel valuable and like I have a place at the table. I feel so welcomed and like I matter.
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