Diversity: Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden & Nelson, A Professional Corporation

With close to 80 years of history Hall Estill has become a premier law firm with four offices and 120 attorneys practicing law in 11 practice groups, and more than 75 practice areas. Our long-term success has been rooted in our belief that not all law firms are created equally and that our future will be built upon our attorneys' drive to deliver exemplary legal services as well as their desire to provide leadership in their communities. Therefore, Hall Estill is committed to the development of a diverse and inclusive workplace for attorneys, professionals and other staff members without regard to age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disabilities. We believe the breadth of knowledge and depth of life experiences which these individuals bring to the firm are invaluable, and increase the skill and perception with which we provide legal services to our clients and contribute to our communities.

In 2006, Hall Estill implemented a Diversity Initiative which places increased emphasis on sponsoring/co-sponsoring functions for women and minority attorneys. As part of these efforts we have become more active in the Minority Corporate Counsel of America, created an internal Diversity Forum which assists minority attorneys in facilitating career and personal growth, provided additional training for clients/potential clients on diversity related topics, and continued our recruitment efforts at law schools with significant minority populations.

Our attorneys are active members of the National Bar Association, American Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, and the National Native American Bar Association. Hall Estill is a member of the National Association of Women Lawyers. The head of our International Law practice group is on the Advisory Board of The Latino Institute for the American Jewish Committee, and the firm's Director of Human Resources & Diversity serves on the Association of Legal Administrators Diversity Committee.

As a testament to our diversity our attorneys come from 34 different law schools, and serve in a number of bar associations, legal organizations, and community organizations. Our attorneys are certified mediators, adjunct settlement judges, American Inns of Court Members, authors, lecturers, coaches, Scout leaders, performers, board members of civic organizations, adjunct professors, and active community volunteers. How are our attorneys able to deliver quality legal services and be active members of their profession and community? We are committed to delivering diversity programs which encompass all aspects of firm life from professional development to personal satisfaction, as well as training and mentoring our people so that we can retain our talent. All new associates are effectively mentored to provide them with hands-on skills training in their chosen practice areas as well as insight into the value of being actively involved in their communities.

We accomplish all of our diversity efforts through our dynamic Recruitment & Diversity Committee (RDC) comprised of 18 individuals (both attorneys and staff), from all four offices, who report directly to the firm's Managing Partner and Executive Committee. Our recruiting efforts take us to 18 different law schools for on-campus recruiting as well as 26 other law schools from which we request resumes, including Southern University and North Carolina Central University. As part of this recruiting schedule we conduct on-campus interviews at Howard University and Texas Southern University, and each year select nationwide career fairs in which to participate, including the Rocky Mountain Black Law Student Association Job Fair, the Sunbelt Minority Recruitment Program, the Southeastern Minority Job Fair and IMPACT Career Fair for Law Students and Attorneys with Disabilities.

Hall Estill attorneys understand and value the perspective that diverse attorneys and staff members bring to our firm and our clients. In addition, we believe that equal opportunity for all Hall Estill employees will successfully result in further opportunities to serve as leaders in our communities and leaders in the practice of law.