Diversity: Ford & Harrison LLP

Ford & Harrison LLP is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce and a culture that values the unique backgrounds, beliefs, skills and attributes of all people. Our objective is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering legal services by continuing to develop a workforce of professionals and staff that embraces diversity and appreciates the contributions to our firm by all individuals. The firm strives for a positive climate of learning, innovation, inclusion, tolerance, opportunity and growth. By doing so, Ford & Harrison as a law firm, and we as individuals, can realize the benefits of diversity as we work together in the pursuit of excellence in the practice of law.

Ford & Harrison has a Diversity Committee comprised of 10 lawyers and 3 administration professionals. The members of the committee are:

Dawn Siler-Nixon, Chair
Courtney Dyar
Louis Britt
Renee Canody
Lynne Donaghy
Pedro Forment
Amanda Green
Patricia Griffith
Meg Holman
Dinita James
Ron Kimzey
Judith Moldover
Kay Wolf

The Committee leads the implementation of the firm's strategic diversity plan, the main goals of which are:

I. Goal One - Recruiting

Develop and/or expand upon processes for external recruitment of both new and lateral lawyers and staff, with a focus on creating a diverse and multi-cultural organization to act as a resource to our clients, the communities we live in, our firm, and the legal profession.

II. Goal Two - Education

Identify, develop and/or implement a comprehensive program of education and training opportunities, made available to all partners, associates and staff, designed to review legal issues, identify best practices, and research issues relating to diversity with a focus on recognizing, valuing and effectively managing differences. Focus on making the conversation about diversity a positive part of any training and meeting.

III. Goal Three - Balance

Develop and implement policies and procedures that emphasize the need for a balance between staff and lawyers responsibilities at work and home, placing a priority on family duties and responsibilities, with the goal of promoting a healthy working atmosphere.

IV. Goal Four - Leadership

Develop, expand and/or implement policies and procedures that are designed to increase and enhance partner, associate and staff leadership diversity in all offices and at all levels, with a particular focus on racial/ethnic and gender differences.

Our commitment to diversity is also demonstrated by the involvement our attorneys have in a variety of associations that promote diversity in the legal profession, the business community and our individual cities and neighborhoods. Some representative examples are:

• African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
• Airport Minority Advisory Council
• Anti-Defamation League
• Associated Builders and Contractors, Women's Council
• Association of Women Attorneys
• California Women Lawyers Association
• Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers
• Cuban-American Bar Association
• DC Commission on Human Rights
• Florida Association for Women Lawyers
• Georgia Association for Women Lawyers
• Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
• Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers
• Hispanic National Bar Association
• Latin American Association
• Memphis Minority Business Council
• Memphis Urban League Young Professionals
• National Association of African Americans in Human Resources
• National Bar Association (African-American Bar Association)
• National Conference of Women's Bar Associations
• New York Women's Bar Association