An increasing number of corporate General Counsels are demanding more diversity from the "big law" firms they are using. Kudos to each of you. However, if your diversity and inclusion program doesn't also have a specific focus on giving minority and women owned law firms the opportunity to compete for and win your business, you are missing a critical piece of the solution. We know minorities and women are leaving "big law" at a much greater unmanaged attrition rate than the white male. They are either leaving the practice of law, going in-house (which is terrific) or starting their own law firms. We need to ensure that this amazing talent is being looked at and afforded real and meaningful opportunities. And, using minority and women owned law firms aligns perfectly with your company's supplier diversity initiatives. National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF) is the perfect place to find minority, women and LGBTQ-owned law firms of the highest quality. #WhyNAMWOLFNow #legalsupplierdiversity
NAMWOLF is a fine organization but it’s not the only resource for corporations seeking representation by minority and women-owned law firms. Organizations like WBENC, Women Owned Law, and state bar associations are also valuable resources for corporations looking for small, diverse firms like mine that provide high-quality legal representation with a small-firm personal touch.
NAMWOLF firms perform! Highly recommend going to NAMWOLF and letting them help find you competent counsel in every area of law.
Kudos Joel, spot on, and well said. Thank you for all that you do.
So well said, Joel. These corporations are missing out on exceptional talent!
Linda Wong
3y
Thank you Joel for you never ending support! Happy Halloween!
Give NAMWOLF firms a chance I promise you won’t be disappointed. Thanks Joel Stern.
Many firms have achieved “numbers” to talk diversity — few have embraced true inclusion. Many firms think having a number of young diverse associates that they can append to cases or matters is enough. Real inclusion is disruptive and requires reconfiguration of case and matter teams from experienced partners to associates. Diverse experienced lawyers bring diverse useful views and a lot of underutilized expertise, they are a source of talent and enthusiasm that cannot and should not be left out of the picture. Take a risk on inclusion.
Amee Sandhu
3y
Definitely! Same goes in #canada.
Janice Brown
3y
Joel, the firms who understand the upside of diversity and not the alleged burden of it are going to be the firms of the future. Lawyers can do anything: End slavery, end separate but equal, create discrimination laws, CEQA laws, the list goes on. So if lawyers want diversity in outside counsel spend, they just need to do it. Period. Nothing is too hard for the legal profession. We created the game. We certainly can play it to win.
Member at Bush Seyferth PLLC
3yThanks, Joel Stern for championing the work of NAMWOLF firms. (And if any diverse big-law refugees are looking to return to Michigan, check out Bush Seyferth PLLC!)