Diverse Backgrounds : Global Perspectives

Our emphasis on recruiting minority lawyers to Reed Smith is indisputable.  We participate in recruitment initiatives and programs designed to increase minority representation in law firms, including:

• the New Jersey Law Project,
• the Bay Area Minority Summer Program (Northern California),
• the Allegheny County Bar Association Diversity Committee (Pittsburgh),
• the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group,
• the Cook County Minority Job Fair (Chicago),
• and a multitude of diversity job fairs.

We have trained our recruitment staff and committees on the Minority Corporate Counsel Association's "Myth of Meritocracy." We also have created a system by which our Diversity Committee members are intimately involved with the recruitment committees in their region, either as members of those committees or as interviewers. 

Since 2001, these efforts have resulted in a significant shift in our demographics.  Our minority lawyer population has grown from 38 lawyers in 2001 to 155 as of year-end 2008.  Presently, our firm stands at more than 17% U.S.-based minority lawyers.

As a direct result, our summer associate classes for the last three years have been comprised of more than 25% students of color.  Our incoming associate class for 2008 was 31% people of color, an increase from the 16% representation in our 2007 class.

In 2008 we launched a nationwide Diverse Scholars Program, creating opportunities for law students throughout the United States.  The Diverse Scholars Program provides a $15,000 award toward tuition for the second year of law school, as well as a paid summer associate position after completion of the second year of law school.  The program is open to first-year law students who have demonstrated excellent academic scholarship and a commitment to diversity, inclusion and community.