Saul Ewing's Commitment to Diversity
Diversity Informs All That We Do
Saul Ewing embraces diversity as a core value and is committed to a workplace that reflects the increasingly diverse nature of the legal profession and the clients we serve. We view diversity as a defining feature of our professional excellence and we are fully engaged in the long-term process of creating an environment which allows the unique backgrounds, perspectives, talents, and skills of our entire workforce to flourish. We recognize that the ever-changing needs of the business community in the 21st century’s global economy demand recognition of these different experiences as well as new and creative approaches to problem-solving.
Talent Abounds in Our Ranks
The Firm's interest in and support of diversity is significant:
- In the 1970’s, an African-American lawyer joined the partnership, thus becoming the first lawyer of color to achieve that position at Saul Ewing and the first minority partner in a large firm in Baltimore.
- A woman lawyer was elevated to the partnership for the first time in 1983.
- As of January 1, 2008, lawyers of color made up 2% of the partnership, 6% of special counsel, 24% of our associates and 10% of the total attorney population.
- As of January 1, 2008, women made up 27% of the lawyers at the Firm and 21% of the partnership, 21% of special counsel and 40% of all associates.
- The Firm exceeds national averages in terms of its percentage of minority associates and women partners.
- Minority and women lawyers play a major role in Firm governance.
- A minority partner is one of five members of the ad hoc Strategic Planning Committee.
- The position of Executive Partner is held by a woman. Another serves on our 7-person Executive Committee, chairs the Business Department and is a former Insurance Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Furthermore, women represent 16% of departmental vice-chairs.
- Three of the Firm's 13 committees are led by women.
A Solid Foundation Is in Place
Saul Ewing convened its first Diversity Committee in the mid-1990’s. This group came together periodically to grapple with ways to effect significant change. In 2001, out of a desire to focus with greater intensity upon and accelerate the effort to achieve a more diverse and inclusive workplace, the Diversity Committee was restructured so that its makeup included key decision makers. The Committee was directed to study and recommend ways to materially improve the diversity of the Firm. Furthermore, after an extensive national search, we retained a distinguished scholar and consultant, Dr. Arin Reeves of the Athens Group, who conducted a needs assessment and diversity dialogues with attorneys and staff and made recommendations to the Diversity Committee. These activities culminated in the creation of a Strategic Plan for Diversity which forms the centerpiece of a permanent infrastructure within Saul Ewing to promote and sustain workplace diversity and inclusion. This Plan is incorporated into the Firm's overall business plan. The Firms' Diversity Committee pursues the Plan’s goals and objectives. Currently, this 12-member body is composed of Hiring, Career Development, Evaluation, and Summer Program Committee Chairs as well as an Executive Committee representative, other partners --- minority and non-minority --- and minority associates.
Historically, the Firm has pursued many avenues to promote diversity and inclusion internally and externally. For example, in 1993, Saul Ewing signed the Statement of Goals of Philadelphia Law Firms and Legal Departments for Increasing Minority Representation and Retention and, in 1998, the Statement of Goals for the Retention and Promotion of Women Attorneys, both of which were promulgated by the Philadelphia Bar Association. We also became a signatory to the Capital Area Managing Partners' Diversity Initiative Statement of Purpose, Principles and Objectives in 2004. Similarly, Saul Ewing is a member of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group (PDLG). Since 2006, the Firm has been a sponsor of the annual Pennsylvania Bar Association Diversity Summit. In 2007, Multicultural Law Magazine recognized Saul Ewing as one of the Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity.
Our Recruitment Approach Is Multifaceted
Thanks to our expansive hiring practices, we consistently hire law students from a wide variety of backgrounds for our summer program. In addition, in keeping with our goals and objectives, we utilize a range of resources to ensure that we consider diverse pools of lateral candidates.
Fostering Relationships Is Essential
Saul Ewing recognizes that maintaining a diverse workforce not only requires vigilance in recruiting but also necessitates the creation of an environment that is conducive to retention. Through the Firm’s formal mentoring program, each associate receives ongoing direction and encouragement. Understanding that informal mentoring is another critical element along the path to partnership, we sponsor a Minority Attorney Retreat each year which brings our minority lawyers, members of the Diversity Committee and other partners together for a day of fellowship, substantive training and networking. Periodically, the Firm brings in consultants, such as Werten Bellamy of Stakeholders, Inc., to provide additional instruction in areas such as career management strategies. Minority lawyers are encouraged to participate in local, state and national minority bar associations to cultivate business relationships, develop leadership skills and interact with role models. Similarly, the Firm supports the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) and sends minority and women lawyers to the annual Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference, the CLE Expo and the General Counsel Invitational Golf and Spa Weekend. Partners mentor minority attorneys by, among other things, accompanying them to diversity-focused events to demonstrate support and help boost their business development skills. Within the Firm, lawyers and staff work together as volunteers on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, participate in diversity lunch outings, and conduct consciousness-raising activities during Black History Month and Women’s History Month, for example, to promote greater understanding of and respect for our differences.
We Share Our Time, Talent and Skills
Lawyers from the Firm regularly provide assistance to a variety of organizations on a volunteer basis to promote diversity in the legal profession and the community at large:
- A minority associate serves on the Executive Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley.
- Minority and women partners have been panelists at MCCA's CLE Expo.
- Two minority associates mentor high school students who want to pursue law as a career through Community Law in Action, a program affiliated with the Maryland Mentoring Partnership.
- A partner spoke during a panel discussion about the many roles lawyers play in society in connection with the Pennsylvania Minority Pre-Law Conference.
- A woman partner is a member of the Executive Committee of the United Way of Central Maryland Women's Initiative and was the first president of the Baltimore Women's Bar Association.
- A minority partner serves on the steering committee of the Just the Beginning Foundation 8th Biennial Conference.
- A woman special counsel is President-Elect of Commercial Real Estate Women of Baltimore (CREW).
- A minority partner is president of Prince George's Community College Foundation Board.
- Two minority associates were instrumental in establishing the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania and serve on its Board of Directors.
Community Outreach Is Ongoing
Saul Ewing’s holistic approach to diversity and inclusion mandates our financial support of organizations which provide services to diverse constituencies. Some of our sponsorships include the following:
- African American Museum of Philadelphia Annual Heritage Gala
- Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center
- Barristers' Association of Philadelphia Annual Scholarship Banquet
- Congregation Rodeph Shalom "Tear Down the Walls" Youth Leadership Project
- Delaware State Bar Association Haile L. Alford Memorial Conference
- Greater Baltimore Committee Bridging the Gap Achievement Awards
- Harrisburg Regional Chamber/Capital Region Economic Development Corporation Business Diversity Works Conference
- Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania Annual Scholarship Banquet
- Keystone Bar Association Hon. Robert N.C. Nix, Jr. Scholarship
- Meals-on-Wheels: Delaware
- Minority Corporate Counsel Association
- National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division, Philadelphia Chapter Annual Scholarship Luncheon
- Network 2000, Inc.
- PA-NJ-DE Martin Luther King Day of Service
- Pennsylvania Governor's Conference for Women
- Princeton Committee of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.
- Urban League of Philadelphia Song of Equality Gala
- Villanova Law Minority Alumni Society Diversity Program
- WorkReady Philadelphia
If you have any questions about diversity at Saul Ewing, please contact one of the Diversity Committee members or the Program Manager listed below:
Chair:
Orlan M. Johnson
202.295.6642
Committee Members:
Colleen A. Foley
Christopher R. Hall
Kristy C. Kim
Gary L. Lieber
Daniel D. Santos
Indira K. Sharma
Cristina Stummer
