Reed Smith is a firm that values cultural differences and adheres to policies and practices that are designed to foster an environment in which all attorneys and staff are full participants. Our firm stands side-by-side with our clients and other businesses and institutions to promote programs that contribute to achieving diversity in the legal profession.
We continuously explore ways to enhance the inclusiveness of our firm and consistently evaluate our own diversity efforts and work-life policies to ensure that they are in keeping with marketplace practices that have proved effective in achieving inclusiveness. We understand that diversity is a true sign of a world-class business and we have made the recruitment, retention and promotion of women and diverse attorneys a top priority.
Consistent with this priority, we have made great efforts to develop work-life programs such as flexible work schedules and supplemental leave for infant child care to better accommodate our firm’s working parents. We have instituted domestic partner benefits firmwide. We have a Diversity Committee to address matters related to achieving diversity at all levels of our firm. The Diversity Committee is charged with the task of, among others, working with existing internal committees to broaden recruitment efforts—both laterally and at the entry level—to develop new and innovative ways to attract diverse talent, to address issues unique to diverse attorneys, and to provide an internal support system for our diverse lawyers. The Committee is dedicated to creating a work environment that values our differences.
Reed Smith intends to be aggressive in its approach to achieving and maintaining a diverse work force and developing an inclusive environment in which all of our attorneys and staff are able to professionally and socially thrive. We look forward to partnering with others for whom diversity also is a priority, and we remain devoted to strengthening our firm through cultural enrichment and a commitment to equality and fairness. Reed Smith was recently named Law Firm of the Year by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) at its 29th annual convention in New York City.
Please click here to view an article about our Diversity Committee featured in the 2004 issue of Law & Diversity.
Use the link below to download a letter which provides an update on the recent efforts of the Diversity Committee.