building diversity inspiring inclusion

Transcription

1 building diversity inspiring inclusion

2 making it happen Having a model workplace requires a culture of inclusion and a commitment to diversity that is supported by thoughtful planning and measured by real action. goals resources mentors leadership development recruitment retention promotion management results

3 measuring up We are honored by the recognition received from publications around the country. However, the firm realizes that awards simply cannot measure how well we are doing to foster a culture of inclusion. For that measure, we always rely on our people Our Annual Ranking in The American Lawyer s Diversity Scorecard Our 2012 Multicultural Law Diversity Rankings 11 Top 50 Law Firms for Partners Diversity by the Numbers: Our Results 14 Top 25 Law Firms for Hispanic Americans 16 Top 100 Law Firms for Women % Minority Attorneys % Minority Partners 47 Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity

4 Elizabeth Lorell Partner, New Jersey Most firms talk the talk on diversity issues, but Gordon & Rees walks the walk. Our lawyers have a joint goal in attracting, recruiting, hiring, retaining, and mentoring our diverse lawyers who have added to our tremendous talent pool. Diverse lawyers flourish here. This, frankly, makes us different than other firms and is just another reason why G&R is a truly great place to work! Lance Ream Associate, Denver I joined Gordon & Rees shortly after it opened its Denver office. What I appreciate the most about working here is the firm s commitment to mentorship. I feel that the partners I work with are earnestly committed to my longterm success. Maria Granjean Associate, Chicago In my one-plus year at Gordon & Rees, I have come to appreciate the importance of our firm culture, which values one-on-one mentoring to ensure each attorney has the opportunity to develop professionally and produce excellent work. My experience at the firm has exceeded my expectations because I am surrounded by caring and friendly people who genuinely want to see me succeed. Truth Fisher Senior Counsel, Miami During the decade in which I ve been an attorney with Gordon & Rees, I ve had the pleasure of not only seeing the firm s tremendous growth across the nation, but to be included as an instrumental player in that growth. It s been my experience that no matter its size, G&R has remained committed to promoting and strengthening diversity at every level. S. Manoj Jegasothy Managing Partner, Pittsburgh Gordon & Rees understands that a diverse law firm is necessary to represent our diverse clients and our diverse population. From the day I first met with G&R partners to discuss opening the Pittsburgh office, I was struck by their true entrepreneurial zeal and their openminded, inclusive attitude. That was no show; it is an attitude that is pervasive among all of the offices. Robin Taylor Symons Co-Managing Partner, Miami Gordon & Rees s let s make it happen approach makes diversity a natural part of the firm s growth. Reaching out to talented diverse candidates when opportunities arise, knowing that fit is assured, has given us a distinct edge and momentum. This approach creates a powerful advantage in attracting and retaining diverse attorneys and staff.

5 Sara Thorpe Partner, San Francisco Not gender, race, way of life, nor anything else that makes a person unique or diverse is an impediment here. At Gordon & Rees, where I have been a lawyer since 1980, I have always felt there is an openness to doing things differently, examining alternative perspectives, considering creative solutions, and providing opportunities for people to grow their professional careers. O Kelly McWilliams Managing Partner, DC, VA, MD Gordon & Rees is committed to bringing in talented attorneys and providing them with the resources, client base, marketing opportunities, and training to succeed. This is illustrated in lateral hiring decisions across the firm and the leadership entrusted to diverse attorneys. I believe this has placed us on the right track to sustain a growing, profitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce. Patricia Lee-Gulley Partner, Orange County G&R s commitment to diversity is an ethos that flows beyond the firm, into the community. The firm s commitment is often manifested by our attorneys active participation and leadership roles in local, statewide, and national diversity programs such as the Orange County Women Lawyers Association. As a diversity leader, G&R does not hesitate to push the advancement of the diversity pipeline. Cecily McLeod Associate, Atlanta Gordon & Rees values associate inclusion and mentorship. Partners have openly included me in client meetings and shared professional advice, not only improving my billable work but also my professional growth. I appreciate that G&R offices are truly a home away from home. You can trust that if a client has an issue outside of your practice or location, they will be taken care of. Dominic Campodonico Partner, San Francisco Gordon & Rees first appealed to me because of its reputation for training and mentoring young attorneys. That continues to be a strength, and I value the friendly, supportive work environment. While Gordon & Rees has maintained its culture of inclusion and its commitment to diversity, it now has a national platform consisting of people who fit its core principles. Laura De Santos Partner, Houston Gordon & Rees has great depth of experience and skill in a variety of legal specialties, but our strength as a firm comes from our ability to draw upon the energy, creativity, and talent that can only come from exceptional lawyers with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and gender. We bring these differing experiences and points of view together to achieve outstanding results for our clients.

6 our commitment Although proud of our consistent advancement in diversity rankings, Gordon & Rees recognizes that surveys have little to do with building an inclusive environment. Instead, much like a home, inclusion is built brick by brick until all the pieces come together to form something revered and wonderful. Franz Hardy Diversity Committee Chair As Gordon & Rees continues to grow, we collectively thrive by cultivating an environment that values our differences. We take great pride in each and every individual s contribution to the firm. Our focus on inclusion creates an innovative workplace that fosters discussion and collaboration. Those perspectives and insights, in turn, benefit our clients as we advise and guide them on their legal needs. As gatekeepers to the justice system, we know that attorneys are vital to ensuring the process and its members reflect the diverse values of our society. At Gordon & Rees, we take this charge seriously. We understand the need for real progress and lasting results. While these challenges are often difficult, we are committed to effectuating change, and we pledge that our firm will continue to reflect the multicultural world in which we live and work.

7 firm leadership 2005 Gordon & Rees launched a new strategic plan over 10 years ago that called for growth across the country. We knew our growth could be a catalyst to build on our culture of inclusion. At the time, there were few models to follow, so we charted our own course Since launching the plan, we have grown our headcount by more than 300 percent and added more than 20 offices. We grew by being vigilant about inclusiveness in hiring, mentoring, retaining, and promoting. Our strategy has produced wonderful results in the areas of diversity and inclusion, particularly in firm leadership. A case in point is our growth rate of office managing partners. We have increased the number of our diverse and women office managing partners at about twice the rate of our office openings. At Gordon & Rees, inclusion is something that starts at the top, and we are proud that our firm leadership reflects our culture. Offices led by diverse or women managing partners Number of offices Since 2005, G&R has more than doubled its number of national offices and more than quadrupled the number of offices run by diverse or women partners.

8 moving forward One of three finalists for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association s 2013 Thomas L. Sager Award for the West Region. Honored by The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel as one of 2012 s Top Firms for Diversity. Received Diversity Leadership Award from the Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee of the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. chair Jack McCowan as national director. Austin office co-managing partner Leslie Benitez elected as diversity chair of DRI s Steering Committee. Houston partner Laura De Santos appointed to three-year term on the International Association of Defense Counsel s Long-Range Planning Committee and serves on the board of directors for The Foundation. Sacramento partner Lawrence Garcia selected to the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce s board of directors. Denver partner Byeongsook Seo received the 2012 Special Recognition Award from the Colorado Lawyers Committee in appreciation of his exceptional contributions toward securing food stamp benefits for Denver residents. Dallas partner Andrew Wallace appointed to three-year term as minority director of the State Bar of Texas board of directors. Orange County partner Patricia Lee-Gulley elected president of the Orange County Asian Bar Association and re-elected as executive secretary of the California Minority Counsel Program. Defense Research Institute (DRI) elected San Francisco partner and former Diversity Committee San Diego partner Kara Persson and associate Erin Funderburk received the Wiley W. Manuel Award for their continued pro bono legal services. San Diego associate Hazel Pangan elected a member of the 2012 board of directors of the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego. Denver associate Lance Ream selected as treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado. Atlanta associate Cecily McLeod serves as co-chair of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta Young Leaders Executive Committee and is a founding chair of the annual conference. Founded and support annual Keys to Success panel program at law schools in Colorado. Gordon & Rees s Women s Initiative hosts biannual events bringing together women clients and colleagues. For more information contact Franz Hardy at or visit us at