Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

OUR MISSION

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee’s mission is to strive for and improve diversity among the firm’s lawyers and staff, foster an inclusive work environment, improve the quality of every employee’s work experience and enable the firm to contribute to the community at large. With these objectives in mind, the firm founded the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to focus on three main areas of work:

• • • • Recruiting, hiring, retention and advancement of attorneys and staff who identify with historically underrepresented groups in the legal industry.
      • Education on matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion through ongoing internal training, continuing legal education and external mentoring and internship programs.
      • Supporting charitable, pro bono and community initiatives.

The mission starts with the recruitment and hiring of attorneys and staff whose diverse backgrounds are valued and seen as an asset, including attorneys and staff of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities and individuals from other historically underrepresented groups. Once attorneys and staff are here, the firm is dedicated to encouraging and providing encouragement and proper resources to nurture and preserve a sense of belonging among all employees. The firm believes this can be accomplished by, among other things, educating and training firm personnel on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, such as bias, tolerance, discrimination, appropriate workplace behavior and work-life balance. Understanding these concepts is paramount to building an environment where all feel safe and respected and where all individuals can grow and succeed.

Further, the firm is committed to ensuring that it supports diverse attorneys by giving them equal opportunities to lead. Additionally, we are providing mentorship at law schools and sponsoring law student interns each year with our Diversity Fellowship Program. 

Finally, the committee recognizes that promoting the values of diversity, equity and inclusion is not limited to the office. Klehr Harrison is dedicated to supporting charitable, pro bono and community-oriented initiatives whereby the firm will contribute legal services, education and provide financial assistance to deserving organizations and programs.

The DEI Committee works closely with firm leadership to ensure the committee’s programs and resources are moving the firm forward towards its DE&I goals and to enable the committee to adapt to meet new challenges. We know our learning is never truly complete.