Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Counseling team advises employers in a range of industries on the development, enhancement, and implementation of their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
As attorneys, we offer a perspective that blends diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting and development with a sensitivity to important legal issues—including regulatory compliance, the interplay of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action laws, reverse discrimination risks, and the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in potential discrimination litigation.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is more than "the right thing to do." It makes business sense. An effective diversity, equity, and inclusion program can help an organization connect with communities, penetrate and capture the U.S. multicultural markets, attract top talent, and drive innovation. For this reason, organizations are embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key business strategy. In addition, organizations appearing before regulatory agencies or state and local governments seeking approval for a transaction often find that having robust diversity, equity, and inclusion programs puts them in a stronger position.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Counseling team performs assessments, develops strategic plans, advises on existing programs, develops policies and communication materials, conducts training, and assists with the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Our work touches on other areas as well, including board and internal governance entities, human resources and workforce issues, procurement and supplier diversity, and community engagement and philanthropy. When needed, we offer collaborative input from lawyers across the firm’s practice areas to provide advice on issues involving government relations, securities, labor and employment, employee benefits, non-profit governance, and investigations.
Experience
- Counseled a global technology company on conducting self-assessments and the development, enhancement, and implementation of its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program.
- Conducted a cross-company gap assessment and developed a multi-year diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan for an international public fashion designer and retailer as part of the company's ESG initiatives.
- Served as counsel to Comcast Corporation in connection with FCC approval of the NBCUniversal acquisition. In addition, we have been instrumental in helping Comcast NBC Universal develop its award-winning corporate (DE&I) program. The company is now ranked among the top 20 companies in the nation for its D&I programs according to DiversityInc.