According to the ABA Commission on Disability Rights, Reed Smith was selected because of its commitment to, and leadership in, supporting and enhancing the professional, personal, and career development of people with all types of disabilities both at the firm and within the legal profession. The Commission recognized that disability is an essential pillar of the firm’s diversity and inclusion program.

In a statement announcing the firm as this year’s honoree, CDR Chair Denise R. Avant said, “Reed Smith’s commitment and leadership is illustrated in the myriad activities it engages in that foster disability inclusion in the legal profession. These include participating in job fairs or other recruitment targeting disabled lawyers, sponsoring internships or fellowships for disabled law students and recent graduates; reaching out to high school and college disabled students to broaden the diversity pipeline; and providing disability awareness and reasonable accommodations/rights of disabled employees trainings to staff and management. Reed Smith serves as an exemplary model for the profession.”

Reed Smith is a disability-smart organization, and disability is an essential pillar of the firm’s diversity and inclusion program. LEADRS, Reed Smith’s disability business inclusion group, alongside the firm’s Mental Health Task Force and Wellness Works program, supports and enhances the professional, personal, and career development of people with all types of disabilities – physical, mental, visible and non-visible, permanent and temporary – both at the firm and within the legal profession. Through its internal network, commitment to creating an accommodating workplace and affiliations with organizations, law schools and clients whose values align with the firm’s, Reed Smith is determined to be the law firm of choice for persons with disabilities.