Diversity and Inclusion
Varnum's commitment to diversity is at the heart of our firm. All of the firm's activities, strategies, and initiatives are intentionally inclusive of diversity. We challenge ourselves regularly to be accountable to ourselves, our clients and our community concerning our leadership, momentum and progress on our diversity initiatives.
Varnum's Diversity Team envisions not only a diverse firm but a firm which appreciates diversity and demonstrates leadership in this area. Key firm leadership members have completed the Institute for Healing Racism program of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and the Woodrick Institute for the Study of Racism and Diversity.
We recently strengthened our diversity efforts with the adoption of the Varnum Diversity and Inclusion Principles which provide a comprehensive strategy to continue building diversity and inclusion into the fabric of the firm as well as keep us accountable to our commitment to diversity.
In recognition of our diversity efforts, Varnum was named "Advocate of the Year" in 2004 by the Minority Business Council of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.
Varnum also received the 2004 Employer Recognition Award given by the Grand Rapids Women's Resource Center. This prestigious award recognizes that we have created an environment in which women and people of color can grow, contribute and succeed.
Recruiting
Our recruiting efforts are designed to help us build inclusiveness and diversity at all levels of the firm. In recognizing the advantages of a diverse environment, Varnum has made an ever-increasing effort to recruit, retain, and advance women and minorities. Varnum was a signatory to the State Bar of Michigan's 1994 diversity initiative on the hiring of attorneys of color and our commitment to this program has continued to grow.
The majority of our new associates are hired from our Summer Associate Program. In addition to recruiting from law schools and job fairs with diverse student populations, Varnum attempts to further reach law students of color for our summer program by attending and financially supporting projects sponsored by campus organizations, such as the following:
- The Latino Law Student Association
- The Black Law Student Alliance
- The Native American Law Student Association
- The Asian Pacific Islander Law Students Association
- The Women Law Students Association
Efforts like these have contributed to a solid representation of law students of color and women law students in the Summer Associate Program. For example, in 2006, Varnum hired nine women and four law students of color as summer associates. This year, Varnum's summer associate class of 15 included seven women and four minority students.
Varnum has also continuously sought out partnerships in the community to improve its diversity. The firm has supported and participated in the following:
- The Grand Rapids Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program since its inception in 1990
- Ethnic Minority Newspapers and Journals via advertising
- The Multiracial Association of Professionals
- The Floyd Skinner Bar Association
- The Asian Professional Organization
- Other similar associations and Grand Rapids-based networks
Varnum also maintains an internal Diversity web page which keeps diversity opportunities in front of the firm's members at all times.
Retention
In October 2003, Varnum earned top honors in a prestigious national survey that measures the quality of life and work at law firms all across the country. The survey, conducted annually by The American Lawyer magazine, polls thousands of third and fourth-year associate attorneys at hundreds of large and mid-sized law firms. Among the survey participants are many of the largest, best-known firms in the country. The firm is extremely proud of such a stellar award.
The survey covers areas such as training and guidance, relationships with partners, dedication to diversity, firm management and other important aspects of firm culture. In the survey, more than 4000 attorneys from 211 firms graded their firms in each of those areas. When all the surveys were tallied, Varnum stood as the second-ranked firm in the nation among all of the firms surveyed, and as the survey's top-ranked mid-size firm.
Varnum's commitment to improving a work / life balance is reflected in its policies, practices, and support services. Recognizing the needs of women and men to balance the complicated demands of a partnership track with a young and growing family, the firm regularly reviews and updates its part-time policy for associates, which allows associates to work a part-time schedule while continuing to accrue time toward partnership eligibility.
Part-time employees in various positions throughout the firm are eligible for benefits, including flexible spending for childcare, Employee Assistance Program, life insurance, free parking, holidays, vacation, retirement savings, and other benefits. Varnum's employees also are eligible for family leave through the Family Medical Leave Act and paid time-off days to use for personal needs.
Community Contribution
In an effort to stay more involved with the local minority community, Varnum consistently provides annual and event support and participation to numerous organizations. Our commitment, as evidenced by our ongoing volunteer efforts, as well as our monetary contributions / sponsorships, means that we practice what we preach.
Some of the entities that have received Varnum's support include the following:
- The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
- Latin American Services
- The Women's Resource Center
- The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Committee
- The Grand Rapids Urban League
- The NAACP
- The Asian Professional Organization
- United Way Project Blueprint
We regularly partner with and support:
- The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's Minority Business Celebration
- The Grand Rapids Bar Association's Diversity Committee
We have been one of, if not the leading area law firm, in giving to:
- The Grand Rapids Bar Association's Diversity Committee
- Heart of West Michigan United Way
- The Asian Professional Organization
- The St. Philip's Spring Fling Fashion Show, Grand Rapids' largest fashion show co-chaired by a former
- Ebony model and targeted at 600+ Grand Rapids-based women and men of color
- The Black Professionals and Executives Network, a networking group expressly for black professionals organized by Varnum attorney Kimberly Richardson.
Several years ago, the firm was asked to help establish an organization that would enhance integration into community life for professionals of color who are new to Grand Rapids. Varnum supplied seed money for the fledgling organization called the Multiracial Association of Professionals (MAP). The firm also donated legal services, drafting and filing articles of incorporation, preparing corporate bylaws, and working with the IRS to secure tax exempt status. The firm continues to support MAP activities and encourages networking among MAP participants, the Asian Professional Organization and the firm.
We contribute to minority-focused scholarship programs, including the following:
- The GVSU Minority Scholarship Program
- The Floyd Skinner Bar Association's Minority Scholarship Program
- The United Negro College Fund
- The University of Michigan Black Law Students Alliance
- The University of Michigan Latino Law Student Association
- The University of Michigan Native American Law Student Association
Perhaps most importantly, our attorneys are personally involved in many community organizations which have the express purpose of supporting the advancement and empowerment of women and people of color. In addition to firm-wide support of such organizations such as the Kent and Ottawa Summits on Racism, the Women's Resource Center and the Grand Rapids NAACP, Varnum attorneys currently or recently served in leadership positions in:
- The American Civil Liberties Union
- Cherry Street Health Services
- Grand Rapids Public Schools Tutoring Program (FACTS)
- Heartside Ministry
- Inforum West Michigan
- The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance
- Leadership Grand Rapids
- Michigan Women's Foundation
- United Way: Women's Leadership Council
- United Way: Young Leaders Society
- Wayne State University: Planned Giving Committee
- The YWCA
Conclusion
Our commitment to diversity is solid and growing, and the ways in which we expand and support our diverse workforce are ongoing. It is our intention to continue our leadership role in this important endeavor. We recognize that as we support the people of color in our community, our business and social community benefits as well. We are committed to the continued exploration of new and innovative diversity initiatives and welcome questions from candidates and clients concerning our efforts and progress.
