Ogletree Deakins believes that because of its philosophy and practice of inclusion - soliciting, valuing, and incorporating the myriad viewpoints of its lawyers - the firm is more creative, stronger, and better able to address the evolving issues in the workplace.
Ogletree Deakins encourages and supports membership and participation in local, state, and national professional associations. Our lawyers are active in organizations such as the National Bar Association, National Asian-Pacific Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association, Lambda Legal, and the Cuban Bar Association. Additionally, the past Chair of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the National Bar Association and an Officer and Board member of the Korean American Bar Association of Southern California are members of the firm. Firm members regularly participate in programs sponsored by the National Employment Law Council, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the National Association of Women Lawyers, and Corporate Counsel for Women of Color.
Ogletree Deakins is proud of the unique combination of individuals with different backgrounds and life experiences who make up our firm. Our commitment to diversity has been recognized by publications such as Minority Law Journal and MultiCultural Law Magazine. In May, MultiCultural Law Magazine recognized Ogletree Deakins for making the 2011 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity". This year we ranked 51st (we were 60th in 2010) in the official rankings of the 2011 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" listing.
Ogletree Deakins also placed in the following specialized listings:
- 25th - "Top 50 Law Firms for Associates" listing (1st listing)
- 20th - "Top 100 Law Firms for Women" listing (we were 35th in 2010)
- 6th - "Top 25 Law Firms for African-Americans" listing (we were 11th in 2010)
We believe in the importance of recognizing individual worth and individual differences within the legal community as well as all work environments. Throughout the firm, lawyers of diverse backgrounds have positions of responsibility, including women as Managing Shareholders of local offices and an African-American elected to a seat on the five- member Board of Directors. All of the committees in the firm benefit from the diverse viewpoints of their members and Chairs.
Because the firm has a long tradition of diversity among its lawyers and staff, we are uniquely situated to assist our clients with creative and effective solutions in the increasingly diverse global economy. To maintain this competitive edge, the firm is proactive in recruiting, hiring, promoting, mentoring, and retaining its diverse talent pool including individuals of different races, genders, religions, sexual orientation, disabilities, ethnicities, and national origin. Ogletree Deakins also participates in many of the bar-sponsored minority clerkship programs and similar outreach "pipeline" efforts. Our utilization of a nationwide network of diverse vendors is another indication that diversity is truly woven into the fabric of the firm. The Chief Diversity Officer of Ogletree Deakins, along with others in the firm, attend and participate in diversity seminars such as “Retaining Women in the Profession,” the Chief Diversity Officers Forum, the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys in Law and Business, and the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals. These and similar events allow members of the firm the opportunity to exchange ideas on best diversity practices and assist the firm in retaining an innovative edge.
Ogletree Deakins advises and encourages its clients to address and be sensitive to diversity issues and to recognize and understand that the diversity of its workforce is a source of innovative ideas and competitive advantage. We work with our clients to manage and benefit from their workplace diversity through counseling, development of diversity initiatives, and on-site training.