Diversity: Carlton Fields, P.A.

Carlton Fields' goal is to recruit, retain and promote attorneys of all races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientation. Carlton Fields is equally committed to promoting a supportive, friendly work environment for all employees. We strive to create a climate of inclusion, grow our talent pool, foster innovation and creativity to compete in the global market, and to become the employer of choice for a diverse group attorneys and staff. We promote a work place that supports one's ability to balance one's professional and personal life.

Carlton Fields' commitment to fostering an environment of inclusion has resulted in forward thinking programs and initiatives including diversity training, mentoring, affinity groups, and fellowship and scholarship programs. The increasing number of minority and women lawyers who hold leadership positions in the firm reflects the value the firm places on diversity and the success of the initiatives implemented by Carlton Fields.

Initiatives

• The Diversity Committee is co-chaired by Miami shareholder Jason Murray and Tampa shareholder Nancy Faggianelli.

• The program was created in 2001 to further the firm's efforts to increase representation of minority lawyers in the firm; develop policies and practices that define and transmit the firm's commitment to diversity; and establish accountability standards and measure progress.

• The 20-member Diversity Committee is comprised of shareholders and associates from all offices. In addition, the firm's President, and its Directors of Professional Development, Attorney Recruitment, Marketing and Client Development, and Human Resources, serve on the committee.

• A component of Carlton Fields' Diversity Program is the formation of affinity groups that were created to promote diversity within the firm and to provide a forum for individuals with common cultures and interests. The affinity groups meet regularly and promote social and professional development and assistance in identifying outside organizations that can facilitate career development and networking opportunities. In addition, the networks have designated pro bono projects on which the groups' members work together. The firm currently has three affinity networks: Minority Lawyer Network, Women's Initiative Network, and Gay and Lesbian Equality Network.

• Carlton Fields proactively recruits minority students at law school job fairs and law schools with diverse student populations.

• Carlton Fields co-sponsors events and provides scholarship funds for students selected by the George Edgecomb Bar Association, the Tampa chapter of the National Bar Association, and the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association in Miami-Dade County.

• A number of our attorneys are members of the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) and participate in judicial and legislative receptions, and we sponsor some of the association's major events.

• Numerous firm attorneys participate in the Young Lawyers Division and Florida Bar Mentoring programs.

• Carlton Fields Diversity Fellowship Program. In 2004, Carlton Fields established the Carlton Fields Diversity Fellowship Program at Stetson University College of Law. The program is designed to attract students who have experienced barriers during their pursuit of a legal education and would be interested in the professional opportunities provided by the program.

• Carlton Fields participates in and donates scholarship funds to the Professional Opportunities Program (POP), developed to provide black law students with summer internship and associate program opportunities in Florida.

• Carlton Fields offers alternative work schedule programs to associates and shareholders.

• Shareholder Sylvia Walbolt served as Chair of the firm's Board of Directors for seven years (1999-2006). She was recognized by The National Law Journal as one of the nation's Top 10 Women Litigators.

• Shareholder Edith Osman is a Past President of The Florida Bar. She was the second woman to be elected to The Florida Bar's top position in its 50-plus year history.

• Women or minorities lead five of our firm-wide practice groups.

• Five of the six senior firm-wide Directors are women, and the firm's Executive Director is a woman.

• Carlton Fields offers domestic partner insurance benefits.

Awards and Commendations

• Carlton Fields is listed among the 2008 Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity in MultiCultural Law.

• In 2008, Carlton Fields was the first recipient of the George Edgecomb Bar Association Founder's Award.

• Carlton Fields was presented with the Corporate Excellence Award in 2008 by the Black Law Students Associations for the University of Miami School of Law and St. Thomas University School of Law.

• Carlton Fields was the recipient of the 2005 Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association Diversity Award.

• Carlton Fields has ranked among the top 50 law firms in the country since 2002 on the Diversity Scorecard published by the Minority Law Journal.

• The firm is the recipient of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division 2004 Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award.

• Carlton Fields ranked 27th nationally in 2006 in The American Lawyers' Midlevel Associate Satisfaction Survey. The firm has ranked #1 nationally in The American Lawyers' Summer Associate Survey.

• Carlton Fields was awarded the Women's Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County's 2002 Thelma Gibson Excellence Award in recognition of our professional advancement of women, business excellence and community involvement.

• Carlton Fields was the recipient of the Athena Society's 2002 Level Playing Fields Award presented for the promotion of women in the workplace.

• Carlton Fields was the recipient of the 2000 Family Friendly Business Award from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.

• The Florida Commission of the Status of Women recognized Carlton Fields as one of the "Best Florida Employers for Working Women" in 2000.

• Carlton Fields was the recipient of The Florida Bar Gender Friendly Award in 1998.

• Carlton Fields is featured in America's Greatest Places To Work With A Law Degree.

Source: NALP 2007-2008 Directory of Legal Employers