Commitment to Diversity Recruiting, retaining and promoting minority and women attorneys is more than just the right thing to do. It is a business imperative.
Program Highlights The Diversity Committee was established in 1994 and is chaired by an Executive Partner.. Established the Paul D. White Scholarship in 1997. Counsel to Market Leaders Commitment to Diversity Baker Hostetler has made a long-term commitment to incorporate diversity within our workforce and business strategies by recruiting, retaining and promoting women and minority attorneys at all levels. Our progress is demonstrated by our lawyer ranks which exceed the national average of women and minority attorney representation among large law firms as reported by NALP*. As of January 1, 2007, the Baker Hostetler partnership includes 8.6% minority lawyers and 19.6% women lawyers, while our associate ranks are comprised of 14.6% lawyers of color and 45.7% women lawyers. Our commitment to diversity is internal to our lawyers and external to our clients and our communities. Whether a new associate or an experienced attorney, all benefit from our prior efforts, existing activities and future initiatives. * Figures based on the November 2006 NALP (The Association for Legal Career Professionals) Directory of Legal Employers. MCCA Sager Award Honorable Mention (Midwest Region 2006). Held the first firm Minority Attorney Conference in 2000. Ranked in the Top 20 for Diversity for Minorities in 2004, 2005 & 2006 Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms. For each of the last six years, 50 percent of the new hires were women and minorities. More than $1.5 million in scholarships and clerkships have been awarded by Baker Hostetler to minority law students.
Firm Committees Diversity Committee Over 10 years ago, the firm instituted a Diversity Task Force, which has since evolved into a standing committee, currently chaired by Alec Wightman, one of the firm s two Executive Partners. The Diversity Committee includes members of the Policy Committee, Office Managing Partners, Partners and Associates. Exemplifying the goal of true diversity, the committee includes minorities, non-minorities, men and women, lawyers and staff members. Diversity subcommittees focus on five key topics: Lateral Recruiting, Law School Recruiting/Paul D. White Scholarship, Minority Attorney Conference, Marketing and Retention. Women s Committee Recognizing that women face distinctive challenges in the legal profession, in 2004 Baker Hostetler formed a separate Women s Committee to provide recommendations to management with respect to these challenges. Chair of the Committee is Lisa Pennington, Houston Office Managing Partner. The Committee, which is comprised of attorneys from all our offices as well as representation from Human Resources and Marketing, is divided into five subcommittees: Hiring/Retention, Social Inclusion, Work/Life Balance, Management/Leadership and Marketing.
Recruiting We recognize that in order to serve the needs of our diverse client base, our lawyer population needs to be equally diverse. It is because of these differences that we can bring a variety of perspectives and experiences together and provide creative solutions for the challenges our clients face. For each of the last six years, half of Baker Hostetler s new hires were women and minorities. Our ability to diversify our workforce is the result of many factors, including targeted recruiting of minorities and women at law schools and through lateral lawyer interviews, the Paul D. White Scholarship program, and active participation in minority job fairs and the appointment of minority and women lawyers to our Hiring Committees. Paul D. White Scholarship Program In tribute to Paul D. White, the firm s first minority partner and a pioneer for minorities in the legal profession, a scholarship for minority law students was instituted to provide them with valuable experience early in their careers. To honor his memory and to encourage law students to appreciate the efforts of those who have come before them, the Paul D. White Scholarship was established in 1997. Awarded annually to law students of African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American, or American Indian descent, the scholarship includes a paid summer clerkship and a $6,000 (net) cash award. The firm has expended more than $1.5 million in scholarships and clerkships for minority law students since its inception. When I first applied to law firms to be a summer associate I was skeptical as to whether I would receive the individual attention to help foster my development as an attorney. I had heard all the rumors about "big firm lifestyle and how many large firms were the equivalent of sweatshops. However, when I was selected as the Paul D. White scholar and began to work at Baker Hostetler, I quickly realized how unfounded the rumors were. As a summer associate, the attorneys worked with me to develop my legal writing and research skills and gave me real projects for real clients. The firm s open door policy allowed me to speak with partners and associates when I needed help on a project or ideas on how to approach a certain issue. Having now returned to Baker as an associate, I am happy to be a part of a team that not only values the work I do for clients, but values my personal interests and spends a great amount of time fostering my skills as an advocate and as a civil servant. Jack D. Patten, III Associate, Denver office
Training, Development and Retention Attorneys succeed with training and personal and professional development opportunities. At Baker Hostetler, these opportunities begin early on in an associate s career and continue through the partner level. Associate Academy Every first-year associate is invited to attend our Associate Academy within six months of joining the firm. From business development and communication skills to due diligence and pre-trial preparation, the Associate Academy provides targeted training for our first-year attorneys, while giving them the opportunity to meet and network with peers from other offices. The 2007 Associate Academy class Mid-Level Training During their third or fourth year, associates participate in a multiday program in conjunction with the firm s practice group retreats. This advanced training focuses on the practice group and the industries it serves, to further develop the depth of knowledge and understanding associates have of the practice area they have chosen. Mentoring Program The mentoring program matches first-year and lateral associates with a mentor who assists with training and development. Associates are advised of their progress on a regular basis which ensures they have the feedback they need to move forward in their careers. Evaluations are coupled with face-to-face discussions regarding professional development. 4th-Year Coaching Program All associates are assigned a senior-level partner as a coach during their fourth year. The coach acts as a role model for enhancing professional development by passing on knowledge, skills and values and providing advice and counsel in improving the associate s lawyer skills. Additionally the coach acts as a support person by helping to develop social contacts and community involvement during this year-long program.
Training, Development and Retention Women Partners Retreat Bringing together our women partners from around the country, the event includes sessions on the current status of the firm (with regard to recruiting and retaining women attorneys), personal marketing, advancing to management and balancing work and family. As a result of the event, several of the firm s offices held a Rainmaking Tips for Women Lawyers program, which included viewing the ABA's DVD on effective marketing for women lawyers and a panel discussion with women partners sharing their own business development techniques and stories. Minority Attorney Conference This event focuses on business development and lawyer retention. The conference serves to facilitate formal and informal discussions among minority lawyers, top firm management, clients and outside experts on strategies to increase recruitment, retention and promotion of minority lawyers. Program Participation and Event Sponsorship Our attorneys are encouraged to participate in various local, regional and national events and the firm looks for opportunities to sponsor programs whose goals match ours in advancing the case for minorities and women in leadership roles in the legal profession. Women Partners Retreat
Diversity Sponsorships and Representation Besides paying for lawyers membership dues in the American Bar Association and one national minority bar association, we have sponsored, and our lawyers have participated in, numerous activities hosted by these associations and other organizations on a local, regional and national level. These include, but are not limited to: ABA Women Rainmakers Annual & Fall meetings California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Charting Your Own Course Foundation (five years) Cleveland and Columbus Bar Associations (Minority Clerkship & Minority Vendor Programs) Colorado Hispanic Bar Association Corporate Counsel Women of Color, Career Strategies Conference Hispanic National Bar Association Just the Beginning Foundation Latin American Education Fund MCCA (Minority Corporate Council Association) Annual CLE Expo MCCA Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference MCCA Regional Diversity dinners (honoring Employers of Choice ) Minority Outside Counsel Networking Conference National Asian Pacific American Bar Association National Bar Association National Black Law Students Association (at various law schools) National Employment Law Council Baker Hostetler offices Our lawyers have served and continue to serve in leadership roles in the National Bar Association, the Hispanic National Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Currently, Helen Kim is President-Elect of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Sean Andrade is the Regional President for Southern California and Jeremy Atencio is a Deputy Regional President for the Hispanic National Bar Association, and Otto Beatty is Vice Chair of the Bankruptcy Section and a member of the Executive Committee for the Commercial Law Section and Corporate Counsel Conference of the National Bar Association.
Structured for Success Recognizing and respecting that a diverse workforce has distinctive needs, the firm offers competitive, comprehensive benefit plans* that are responsive to individual needs, and we have made a commitment to assist our lawyers and staff in balancing the demands of work and life. LifeWorks (Employee Assistance) Program This confidential service is available to our employees and their family members to assist with the resolution of personal and family concerns. Childcare Resource and ReferralThis program supplies information and resource materials regarding the selection of day care services, establishment of backup day care arrangements, nanny services, in-home childcare providers, day care centers, before and after school programs and summer camps/programs. Eldercare Resource and ReferralMany individuals assist aging parents and family members on an ongoing basis. This program provides materials on eldercare services, as well as care options available. Parental Leave Program Time off to be with your newborn or newly adopted child is provided by this four-week paid leave benefit, which is in addition to paid maternity leave (up to eight weeks) that can be requested by eligible employees. This paid leave qualifies as FMLA time in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). Paid Time Off Programs We understand the last-minute demands and stress that occur when a child is ill or there is a family emergency. To accommodate these needs, individuals are able to use their personal paid time off for these concerns. Alternative Work Schedules This program is designed to accommodate family concerns and other outside interests by providing eligible individuals with remote access work arrangements and/or part-time schedules. Dependent Care Assistance Program Under this program, individuals may set aside up to $5,000 annually on a pre-tax basis for dependent care expenses, including childcare and dependent eldercare. * The benefit plans summarized above reflect the current firm policy/practice. These plans are subject to change at any time without notice.
Diversity and Women s Committee Members Diversity Committee Sean A. Andrade 213.975.1620 sandrade@bakerlaw.com G. Thomas Ball 407.649.4004 tball@bakerlaw.com Johnine P. Barnes 202.861.1633 jbarnes@bakerlaw.com Otto Beatty, III 614.462.2666 obeatty@bakerlaw.com Joseph L. Chairez 714.966.8822 jchairez@bakerlaw.com Martiné (Marty) R. Dunn 513.929.3412 mdunn@bakerlaw.com José C. Feliciano 216.861.7827 jfeliciano@bakerlaw.com R. Steven Kestner 216.861.7558 skestner@bakerlaw.com William F. Kuntz, II 212.589.4229 wkuntz@bakerlaw.com Lydia W. Lee 213.975.1603 llee@bakerlaw.com Michelle D. Pector 713.646.1326 mpector@bakerlaw.com Lisa H. Pennington 713.646.1303 lpennington@bakerlaw.com Maurice Sanchez 714.966.8809 msanchez@bakerlaw.com Hewitt B. Shaw, Jr. 216.861.7514 hshaw@bakerlaw.com George A. Stamboulidis 212.589.4211 gstamboulidis@bakerlaw.com Gregory C. Ulmer 713.646.1363 gulmer@bakerlaw.com Monica S. Verma 216.861.7370 mverma@bakerlaw.com Alec Wightman Committee Chair 614.462.2636 awightman@bakerlaw.com Cranston J. Williams 213.975.1835 cwilliams@bakerlaw.com Women s Committee Rebecca C. Alexander 303.764.4062 ralexander@bakerlaw.com Mary P. Birk 303.764.4041 mbirk@bakerlaw.com Penny M. Costa 213.975.1872 pcosta@bakerlaw.com Elizabeth A. Dellinger 216.861.7793 edellinger@bakerlaw.com Richard T. Fulton 407.649.4005 rfulton@bakerlaw.com Suzanne K. Hanselman 216.861.7090 shanselman@bakerlaw.com Robin E. Harvey 513.929.3409 rharvey@bakerlaw.com Tonya A. Jacobs 713.646.1358 tjacobs@bakerlaw.com Helen B. Kim 213.975.1611 hkim@bakerlaw.com James L. Moore 713.646.1374 jmoore@bakerlaw.com Betty Southard Murphy 202.861.1586 bsmurphy@bakerlaw.com Rosemary O Shea 407.649.4006 roshea@bakerlaw.com John D. Parker 216.861.7610 jparker@bakerlaw.com Lisa H. Pennington Committee Chair 713.646.1303 lpennington@bakerlaw.com Georgeann G. Peters 614.462.4769 gpeters@bakerlaw.com Patricia A. Poole 216.861.7661 ppoole@bakerlaw.com Lauren J. Resnick 212.589.4241 lresnick@bakerlaw.com Elizabeth A. Scully 202.861.1698 escully@bakerlaw.com Alec Wightman 614.462.2636 awightman@bakerlaw.com Deborah A. Wilcox 216.861.7864 dwilcox@bakerlaw.com Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus Costa Mesa Denver Houston Los Angeles New York Orlando Washington, DC
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