Almost 200 clients, diversity and inclusion advocates, and Reed Smith attorneys learned from leaders driving diversity in legal profession, participated in workshops with Reed Smith attorneys and industry experts, and shared their experiences as diverse professionals in a competitive field. Reed Smith client GE was also honored with the inaugural Reed Smith Equality & Inclusion Award, selected by an independent panel, for its exceptional leadership in diversity and inclusion.
“The Summit was an incredible experience,” said John Iino, Reed Smith’s Global Chair, Diversity & Inclusion “To have such an outstanding – and dedicated – group of people come together to share and support one another was amazing. I think the Summit not only allowed us to truly feel how strong we are when we are diverse – but also rejuvenated all of us to continue pushing for a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. We’ve made some great advances, but we still have a long way to go.”
Highlights of the Summit included:
- Driving Progress: Being Successful as a Leader Driving Diversity in Today’s Legal Profession, a panel featuring Hon. Petrese Tucker, Chief Judge, USDC, Eastern District of Pa.; Stephen Lee, Managing Counsel, U.S. Downstream at BP America Inc. and Michele Meyer-Shipp, Chief Diversity Officer, Prudential Financial, Moderated by: Sharon Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Jones Diversity, Inc.
- Keynote speaker Elena Bombis, Manager, Legal & Integrity, Social Sustainability - United Nations Global Compact who spoke on n Proposed UN Global Compact Guide for Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- Pitch and Proposal Masterclass, focusing on to effectively incorporate diversity into pitches and business development
- Diversity & Inclusion workshops sponsored by Reed Smith affinity groups: WINRS (Womens Initiative Network at Reed Smith); veterans; LEADERS (Looking for Excellence and Advancement of Disabled Attorneys at Reed Smith); Hispanic/Latino; pRiSm (LGBT); Asian-American; and STARS (African-American).
Commenting on the Summit, Patricia O’Prey, Executive Counsel - GE Corporate, who attended the Summit, said, “Reed Smith's commitment to diversity and inclusion is laudable and was truly demonstrated by the 2017 Diversity Summit, attended by individuals from within the firm, its management team, global attendees and outside counsel partners. We were thrilled to be able to participate and see our shared values so firmly on display.”
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with more than 1,700 lawyers in 27 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, entertainment and media, shipping and transport, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing and technology, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.
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