Diversity: Alston & Bird LLP

Alston & Bird's approach to diversity has been one of commitment and action to establishing diversity as a basic element of the firm's culture. The pursuit of diversity is important to the firm -- not because it has become a criterion for those who hire law firms -- but rather because the firm fully embraces the value each individual brings to the firm. A diverse culture and a willingness to recognize and appreciate that diversity strengthen the firm every day. We are proud of the activities we support and the results we have achieved.

Initiatives

• Alston & Bird has designated a senior partner with responsibility for supporting and enhancing diversity -- not just monitoring it. John Latham (jlatham@alston.com/ 404.881.7902) reports directly to the firm's managing partner and chairs a 22-member diversity committee comprised of attorneys and staff from all five offices. The committee is responsible for implementing the firm's policy for diversity enhancement in all hiring decisions and for overseeing a work environment that embraces diversity.
• Each of our practice group leaders is held accountable by the firm's management for the diversity efforts of her or his practice group. The success or failure of these efforts directly impacts the evaluation and compensation of our practice group leaders.
• Women and minorities lead five of our practice groups: IP-Trademarks and Copyrights, Products Liability, Public Finance, Tax and Technology.
• We work with Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training, experts in the diversity and diversity management field, to develop education programs for our attorneys and staff.
• We offer domestic partnership insurance benefits and have a longstanding policy against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
• Alston & Bird is a founding member and active in the Atlanta Large Firm Diversity Alliance and the Atlanta Legal Diversity Consortium.
• We proudly sponsor the Hispanic and Asian Bar Associations.

Awards and Commendations

• Our workplace environment has been praised as one of the most open and receptive in the United States, not only among law firms, but also among all businesses. For the sixth consecutive year, Alston & Bird has been named to the list of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For®." In the past four years, the firm has placed in the top ten for all employers; this year we are ranked ninth in the country.
• In 2005, Vault Inc. ranked Alston & Bird seventh in the United States in diversity issues with respect to minorities.
• Alston & Bird was selected as one of only two recipients of the 2005 Commitment to Equality Award presented by the State Bar of Georgia's Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee.
• Ben Johnson, the firm's managing partner, received the Metro Atlanta YMCA Joseph C. Bransby Leadership Award, the highest award presented for outstanding volunteer service and recognition of exceptional leadership. Ben is also the recipient of the American Jewish Committee's Institute of Human Relations Award in recognition of his community activism and leadership in the battle against all forms of bigotry and discrimination and for his lifelong effort to promote human rights.
• The Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia has honored Alston & Bird with its "Outstanding Service to the G&L Community" award.

Record of Change

Alston & Bird recognizes the importance of a demonstrated commitment to diversity in the hiring and retention of women and minority attorneys. During the past five years, when the total number of attorneys at Alston & Bird rose 38 percent, we achieved the following:

• A 59 percent increase in the number of female attorneys and a 61 percent rise in the number of female partners;
• An 87 percent increase in the number of minority attorneys and a 200 percent gain in the number of minority partners.