Diversity and inclusion US

Introduction

The Legal 500 is launching a major new diversity and inclusion initiative in the United States. Much is written and talked about the lack of diversity and inclusion in the legal industry. It is a complicated issue with no immediate answers or solutions, but we want to recognise the work that is being done, and to encourage more open and honest debate about some of the pathways to better diversity and inclusion in the law. From this homepage, you will be able to read articles and opinions from a variety of commentators. You will also be able to view some of the initiatives that law firms have in place, and also view firms that have been transparent by giving you direct access to their diversity and inclusion statistics.

Diversity commitment: the law firm view

Jacqueline Marcus, Business Finance & Restructuring Partner, Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP

Business Finance & Restructuring Partner Jacqueline Marcus discusses her role as diversity committee co-chair, tower co-chair, and one of the firm’s first flex-time partners.

Zarrar Sehgal, Diversity Committee Leader, Clifford Chance

Zarrar Sehgal, partner of Clifford Chance, leads the firm’s Diversity Committee in the US. He also heads up Clifford Chance’s Americas Banking & Finance practice and global Transport and Logistics sector.

Rajeev Gupta, Partner, Finnegan

Rajeev Gupta, Partner of Finnegan, discusses his role as leader of Finnegan’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Leslie Minier, Chief Diversity Partner, Katten

Leslie Minier is Chief Diversity Partner and founder and co-chair of the Diversity Committee at Katten, discusses her firm’s approach to diversity.

Larren Nashelsky, Chair of Morrison & Foerster LLP

Larren Nashelsky, Chair of Morrison & Foerster LLP, discusses the firm’s commitment to diversity.

Madeline McDonough, Chair, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

Madeleine McDonough, Chair at Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP, discusses the firm’s approach to diversity.

Diversity profiles











GC Special Reports

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Features

  • Jean Lee, CEO, Minority Corporate Counsel Association

    Reflecting on the MCCA’s 20th anniversary, I do think there has been a significant shift in the last 20 years. I think that is as a result of the elevation in the role of the in-house lawyer; Ben Heineman, former general counsel of GE, is credited as the godfather who revolutionized the role of in-house …

    Continue reading “Jean Lee, CEO, Minority Corporate Counsel Association”

  • By the numbers: diversity in the US

    To assemble an informed and representative perspective of the legal sector, our quantitative research went beyond considering purely the most senior legal figures in the United States.

  • Diversity toolkit

    Across the legal sector – from the partner level in private firms and general counsel in major corporates, right through to new recruits fresh out of law school – research shows that there remains barriers to entering and progressing through the sector for certain groups and demographics.

  • Shaping diversity: part one

    It’s no secret that the United States takes diversity very seriously. Since the advent of the Bill of Rights – which in 1789 laid bare the basic personal freedoms, civil liberties and protections guaranteed by the Constitution – diversity and inclusion has been an evolving process.

  • Shaping diversity: part two

    Reconfiguring diversity In order to capitalise on the benefits that a diverse and inclusive workplace can bring, a leader may have to get beyond initial resistance within the corporation, often arising from fear of being targeted or implicitly blamed.

  • Shaping diversity: part three

    Stamping out stereotypes Despite the many senior GCs and in-house counsel that we have interviewed for this report (and elsewhere in GC magazine) as active sponsors of diverse workplaces, some of our consultants noted that legal departments were not typically being identified by diversity professionals as pioneers within their corporations on this issue.

  • Black General Counsel 2025 Initiative

    A new diversity initiative has taken shape in the United States. Called the Black General Counsel 2025 Initiative, the key goal is to see African-Americans better represented in the in-house legal profession – particularly as general counsel or chief legal officers of larger public and private companies.

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