Schiff Hardin maintains a deep commitment to diversity in our firm, the legal community and all of society. From supporting various law student organizations and providing scholarships to promising law students to mentoring and career development activities, our attorneys continuously work to develop diverse legal talent within the Firm. Our active Women's Networking Group provides support for the female attorneys at Schiff Hardin and fosters relationships between female executives within our client base.
Our attorneys are active in many minority, ethnic and women's organizations that enhance Schiff Hardin's ability to foster diversity in the legal and professional world.
Schiff Hardin's commitment to diversity extends to our contracting with outside vendors. When purchasing products or services, we understand that engaging minority- and women-owned businesses benefits both parties and strengthens the business community as a whole.
National Recognition
Schiff Hardin has received the following national media coverage for its initiatives involving diversity and women attorneys, as well as workplace quality of life:
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"Top Businesses" — Schiff Hardin was named to DiversityBusiness.com's twelfth annual Top Business List in 2012.
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"Perfect Score in Corporate Equality Index" — Schiff Hardin received a 100% score in the 2012 and 2011 Corporate Equality Index based on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender workplace policies and benefits, from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation's largest LGBT civil rights organization.
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“Law Firm Rankings 2012: The Best Law Firms For Diversity” — Schiff Hardin ranked #25 by Vault.com's Law 100 Vault Ranking for Overall Diversity.
- Leading Law Firm for LGBT Workplace Equality — Schiff Hardin was recognized by Equality Illinois as a leading law firm in the state for its achievements in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workplace equality.
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"Spirit of Excellence Award" — Partner and retired Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears was honored in 2011 by the American Bar Association's Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity.
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"Top Businesses" — Schiff Hardin was named to DiversityBusiness.com's eleventh annual Top Business List in 2011.
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"Women In Law Firms" — Schiff Hardin was ranked number 32 nationally among the AmLaw 200 in this first annual study (2009) by American Lawyer.
- "2007 Top 100 Law Firms For Diversity" — Schiff Hardin was named
to MultiCultural Law's 2007 "Annual Edition." This was the third
year Schiff Hardin has been named to the list.
Diversity Committee
Schiff Hardin's Diversity Committee enhances our ability to recruit, hire, retain and promote a diverse professional workforce on the basis of demonstrated merit by maintaining an inclusive culture that promotes success for all of our lawyers.
By sponsoring and developing activities with key minority, ethnic and women's organizations, the Diversity Committee at Schiff Hardin ensures that the firm is actively promoting diversity in the legal profession.
The Diversity Committee meets at least once a month to:
- Set goals for diversity
- Monitor and promote the development of diverse lawyers at our firm
- Pursue a variety of diversity initiatives
Minutes of the Diversity Committee meetings are provided to every lawyer at our firm, and a report from the Diversity Committee is a regular agenda item for meetings of our firm's Executive Committee, practice group leaders, partners’ and associates meetings.
Associates play critical roles on the Diversity Committee, to which they devote substantial time and attention. Under the supervision of Diversity Committee members, several dozen associates have organized themselves into task forces that focus on a variety of initiatives including:
- Recruiting law students
- Outreach to minority judicial clerks
- Pipeline initiatives and community outreach
- Assuming leadership roles in minority bar associations
- Providing affinity group support to diverse lawyers joining our firm
Committee Members