Sutherland Publishes 2008 Diversity Report
Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Reflecting its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP has published its 2008 Diversity Report, which highlights some of the firm’s many diversity and inclusion efforts and successes of the past year. The report features Sutherland’s effort—within the firm and also in the communities where our attorneys and staff live and work—to become more diverse and to help the legal profession become more attractive to and attainable for a broader range of people.
“Increasing our diversity and the success of our attorneys is vitally important to Sutherland and is a crucial component of our firm's strategic plan,” said Managing Partner Mark D. Wasserman. “Each of us plays an important role in helping to achieve a diverse and inclusive workplace.”
Highlights of the report include the following:
- Last year marked the firm’s fourth year for Sutherland Scholars, an innovative and groundbreaking pipeline program that supports incoming law students from historically underrepresented backgrounds by teaching them skills and strategies that will help them succeed in law school. In 2008, 26 students from Atlanta and 21 students from Washington, D.C., participated in the program—bringing the total number of students participating in the program to more than 175.
- Sutherland's GLBT Affinity Group helped facilitate securing same-sex partner COBRA benefits at the firm, raising Sutherland's score in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index from 85 to 95 on a scale of 100.
- Sutherland introduced Diversity and Inclusion Partners in each of its offices and practice groups. As members of the larger Diversity and Inclusion Committee, they work to influence attorney development, look for ways to market diversity to internal and external audiences, and decide how best to support and encourage Sutherland attorneys from underrepresented backgrounds.
“Sutherland’s dedication to diversity and inclusion is a total firm effort,” said Valerie A. Jackson, Director of Diversity. “We expanded our reach in 2008, and we look forward to continuing our commitment to create a more diverse and inclusive firm and legal profession.”
To view a copy of the 2008 Diversity Report, visit http://www.sutherland.com/files/upload/2008DiversityReportF2.pdf or contact Valerie Jackson at valerie.jackson@sutherland.com or at 202.383.0223.
ABOUT SUTHERLAND.
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP is a law firm with global reach known for solving challenging business problems and resolving sophisticated legal issues for many of the world’s largest companies. Founded in 1924, the firm handles matters throughout the United States and worldwide. Seven major practice areas—corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, and tax—provide the framework for an extensive range of focus areas, allowing Sutherland attorneys to serve a diverse client base that ranges from small and medium-sized start-up businesses to a significant number of Fortune 100 companies.
