Furia Rubel CEO and general counsel Gina Rubel recently published an article outlining steps law firms can take to increase their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in 2023. Co-authored with Janet Falk, chief strategist of Falk Communications and Research, the article explores ways to strengthen professional initiatives for marginalized lawyers to advance in their careers and grow their books of business.
Rubel and Falk highlight the importance of introducing diverse attorneys as sources to the media: “Law firms should identify attorneys of diverse backgrounds and introduce them to reporters as sources for comment. Not only does the news story promote the insight of the individual attorney, but it also puts the name of the firm in the article, boosting the firm’s brand.”
They affirm the value of sharing best practices with peers: “Be generous when sharing successes. Why waste time for no reason when other law firms are grappling with similar DEI issues? Step forward in your community and create a forum for law firms, and perhaps other professional services firms, to periodically convene and share best practices. After the diverse professionals on your team return from attending regional and national conferences, share lessons from those programs at a program hosted by your firm.”
They also provide insight into incorporating diversity in firm leadership: “The Mansfield Rule was designed to boost and sustain diversity in leadership. There are specific criteria for certification. The current certification process requires that at least 30% of candidates under consideration for law firm promotion be from historically underrepresented groups, among a dozen other actions that focus on the path to leadership.”
- How to Achieve DE&I in Law Firms Now with Roberta “Bobbi” Liebenberg
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Field with Francisco Ramos, Partner at Clarke Silverglate
Read 7 Tips To Increase Your Law Firm’s DEI Efforts In 2023 (link to PDF)
