The firm of GableGotwals recognizes that diversity is an integral component of our commitment to achieve the highest level of ethical conduct and professional competence as individual attorneys and as citizens.
To accomplish our goals, the following initiatives, among others, are being pursued:
- Continue recruiting, hiring, mentoring, retaining, promoting and advancing outstanding minority and women law students who will thrive in the firm.
- Improving the diversity of those holding firm leadership positions and participating in practice development efforts.
- Encouraging reporting of any discrimination or harassment based on gender, race, color, national origin, religion, age or disability.
- Participating in diversity initiatives outside the firm with clients, bar associations, and minority organizations.
The Board of Directors' appointed Diversity Officer reports to the Board semi-annually on the firm's progress and activities in carrying out the following and other initiatives to strengthen diversity throughout the firm, our profession and our local community. It is expected that every firm employee accept responsibility for and do his or her part to fulfill the firm's commitment to diversity.
Recruitment, Hiring and Retention
GableGotwals is committed to diversity through recruiting, hiring, mentoring, retaining and promoting minority and women attorneys for our firm. Behavior, practices, improper conduct and statements that are prejudicial to the firm's diverse population are not tolerated. Each of those in firm leadership roles, as well as others, communicate the importance of diversity to everyone at the firm in a number of ways.
Women's Initiative
GableGotwals is committed to the recruitment, retention and advancement of women attorneys and staff members of the firm, ensuring a positive and supportive environment at all times. Many of our firm's committees, including the Diversity Committee, are led by women attorneys.
Professional Organizations
At all times GableGotwals has active members of the firm on committees or sub-committees of the Tulsa County, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma or American Bar Associations whose purpose is to promote diversity initiatives in the legal profession.
Renee DeMoss serves as Chair of the Oklahoma Bar Association's Women in Law Section and chaired the OBA Women in Law Conference, attended by a number of women attorneys from the firm. Renee was also elected to a three-year term on the OBA's Board of Governors.
Steve Barghols continues to serve on the Oklahoma Bar Association's Diversity Committee (having been its founding chair). Steve also continues to serve on the Oklahoma City University Diversity Advisory Committee. The purpose of this committee is to contribute to the diversification of the American legal profession and to produce lawyers and judges who are well prepared to serve America's increasingly diversifying population.
Renee DeMoss and Rania Nasreddine serve on the Tulsa County Bar Association's Diversity Committee. Rania chaired the Committee in 2007-2008 and 2008-2009.
Members of the firm attend the Summit for Business Leaders -- "a community collaboration to create more awareness and opportunities for businesses to come together and discuss strategies, challenges, and share best practices as it relates to successfully implementing diversity and inclusion practices.
Community Outreach
The firm's commitment to diversity will extend to community involvement through various organizations and programs including but not necessarily limited to:
- pro bono initiatives that promote equality and fairness
- sponsorship initiatives, with the firm lending its name as well as providing financial support to events and programs that promote diversity and an avenue for all citizens to enjoy equal access to legal services and the judicial system
- cultural event initiatives, with the firm promoting and supporting cultural events and programs that promote various cultures and ethnicities
Pro Bono Work
The firm has been a long-time supporter of Oklahoma and Tulsa Lawyers for Children. The purpose of this group is to use the time, talent and resources of qualified pro bono lawyers and others to represent and assist children in the Juvenile Division of the Oklahoma County District Court.
The firm has long supported the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, which provides trained volunteers to be advocates for children who are in DHS custody and whose parents are being prosecuted in court. Firm employees have spent many hours helping give these children, many of whom are from low-income or minority families, the best future possible in their difficult circumstances. In 2011, GableGotwals employee Cheryl Jann won the CASA volunteer of the year award in Oklahoma County.
Lawyers from the firm volunteer their services for, and financially support, Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma – both in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Legal Aid is a non-profit law firm serving low-income and elderly Oklahomans who have civil legal problems. Volunteer attorneys from throughout the state help people who cannot afford to hire counsel to assist with their legal needs. "Legal Aid seeks to ensure basic needs for clients, especially those involving: freedom from harm and violence, access to housing, freedom from hunger, access to health care and income maintenance for survival." Many of the clients are of diverse backgrounds.
Members of the firm assist the University of Tulsa's Immigration Clinic with handling pro bono immigration matters including individuals that have been victims of domestic violence, an individual seeking asylum, and an individual who is currently in removal proceedings. Laura Bachman conducted a Continuing Legal Education program at the firm to teach the attorneys the basics of immigration law.
Educational Outreach
Recognizing the importance of supporting youth development in achieving academic and professional excellence, the firm implements a number of programs to introduce minority youth to the law, thereby promoting excellence in education from elementary school through college.
Attorneys and staff members from the firm participate in Law Day at Hamilton Middle School, Madison Middle School and Sam Houston Elementary School. These schools are predominantly African-American and/or are located in low-income communities. Members of the firm speak with students about the importance of setting goals, going to high school and college, and about various jobs in a law firm.
The firm's Lunch Buddy program reaches out to a diverse group of middle school students. Firm attorneys, senior management and staff met with students weekly and encouraged them to excel academically.
Renee DeMoss implemented a Law and Government Career Fair for sixth grade students at Hamilton Middle School which is now held annually. The program is directed toward teaching students about various vocations and keeping students interested in school so they will complete their education. The firm provides personnel and materials to explain careers in private law firms, including attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and information technology positions.
Steve Barghols continues to serve as a mentor at Positive Tomorrows, an Oklahoma City non-profit service for Kindergarten through 12th grade children who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or seeking refuge from an abusive home life.
Community Outreach
The firm is a sponsor of the Greenwood Cultural Center's annual Legacy Award Dinner. The center is a non-profit charitable organization that focuses on preserving the African American heritage and community in Tulsa.
David McKinney is a member of the YWCA Advisory Committee, the largest and oldest women's organization in the United States. The YWCA represents more than one million women, girls and their families. The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity.
Eric King is a Board Member of Predisan-USA, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation which supports a medical mission based out of Catacamas, Olancho, Honduras. The program includes a large surgery-capable medical facility in Catacamas, six remote mountain clinics, a residential addiction-treatment center, and agricultural, educational and vocational programs. Eric and his wife Linda King, who is of counsel with the firm, make annual trips to Honduras to assist in this work.
In 1993, Linda King co-founded the U R Special Ministries, Inc., a 501(c)(3) corporation which fosters self-esteem and healthy lifestyles in needy and at-risk children in Edmond, Oklahoma. Linda continues her work with the organization's efforts to provide new shoes and clothing to over 550 children ages 3 to 10, three times a year. The City of Edmond has awarded U R Special a Community Development Block Grant for the last 10 years and currently furnishes a city-owned location to the charity for the nominal rent of $1 per year. In 2004, U R Special was featured on the television program "The View," as part of Edmond's role as a finalist in the "America's Most Giving Community" contest. Most of the children served by U R Special are minorities, and many are disabled. Ms. King currently is President of the all-volunteer charitable organization.
Many firm members serve the United Way of Central Oklahoma and Tulsa through board memberships and active involvement in a number of agencies served by the United Way. Each year the firm's Tulsa office is one of the top fundraisers for the organization.
Other organizations serving diverse populations with which the firm is involved with include:
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Child Abuse Network
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
- Gatesway Foundation
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma
- Habitat for Humanity
- John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Monument
- Junior League of Tulsa
- Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice
- Oklahoma Chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Oklahoma County Bar Foundation
- Special Olympics of Oklahoma
- Sunbeam Family Services
- Travelers Aid and Homeless Assistance Center t
- Tulsa Boys Home
- Tulsa Global Alliance
- Tulsa’s Immigration Rights Project
- Tulsa Interfaith Alliance
