Embracing DIVERSITY Fulfilling the COMMITMENT Diversity is an engrained part of who we are Promoting and embracing diversity is one of Bryan Cave s core values, and the top levels of firm leadership have committed themselves to making our firm and the profession more diverse and inclusive. We place such a high priority on diversity because it enriches the quality and fabric of our firm. It brings value to our people and also to our clients. Diversity improves the quality of legal services we provide by teaming professionals with diverse perspectives to tackle our clients legal challenges. Diversity benefits our firm directly by enabling us to attract world-class legal talent and firm leaders. With commitment that starts at the top and is shared by all of us, we have made significant strides in diversity. We have been recognized as a leader among law firms in the inclusion of women in firm management. Our chair, Therese Pritchard, is one of only a handful of women to head an AmLaw 200 firm and the firm has earned Gold Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum. For the eighth year in a row, Bryan Cave achieved a perfect score on the Human Rights continued on next page Diversity is an engrained part of who we are and how we do things. Making Bryan Cave a diverse and inclusive firm is the responsibility of every lawyer and member of our staff. We approach diversity as one team, looking for innovative and impactful approaches, and seeking opportunities to demonstrate our commitment. It is one of my top priorities for our firm. Therese D. Pritchard, Chair
We have accomplished a great deal but know that our work is not done Campaign s Corporate Equality Index, reflecting our welcoming and open environment and best-practice policies for LGBT lawyers. While we are proud of these successes, we are unyielding in our efforts to improve upon them. There is still work to be done to enhance the diversity of our firm and our profession. Bryan Cave has put the policies and practices in place to achieve our diversity goals. Working directly with our firm chair, Bryan Cave s chief diversity officer creates and executes strategies to enhance the recruitment, development and promotion of diverse lawyers. The chief diversity officer also works closely with the firm s Executive Committee and Management Committee, practice leaders and office managing partners to ensure that best practices of diversity and inclusion are part of all firm decision-making processes. Our approach to diversity is strategic and comprehensive, with established metrics, regular reporting to leadership and transparent accountability to monitor our progress. We have accomplished a great deal but know that our work is not done, not just in our firm but in the profession as a whole. Our mission is to create a firm where women lawyers, lawyers of color, LGBT lawyers and lawyers with disabilities want to come and stay, and where they can thrive. The programs we have developed at Bryan Cave to create opportunities for mentoring, sponsorship, and practice and leadership development are helping us move the needle, and our reporting and accountability processes enable us to continuously measure our progress. We look forward to building on the successes we had in 2014 as we move forward. Lisa Demet Martin, Chief Diversity Officer 2014 Firm Demographics* Women Lawyers Lawyers of Color Openly LGBT Lawyers 2014 Summer Class 2015 Summer Class 20% Partners 51% Associates 37% All lawyers 8% Partners 20% Associates 13% All lawyers 1% Partners 2% Associates 3% All lawyers 53% Women 50% Students of color 6% Openly LGBT 58% Women 35% Students of color 8% Openly LGBT * U.S. Lawyers
WOMEN LEADERS BRYAN CAVE Bryan Cave is committed to being a firm where women thrive and participate at the highest levels of firm leadership. We are extremely proud that for the first time, a woman has been named chair of the firm. Therese Pritchard assumed the responsibilities of chair on October 1, 2014, joining only a handful of major law firms that have women leaders. Our new chair is committed to diversity as a core value and strategic objective of the firm, and it is one of her top priorities as she leads us forward. In recognition of Bryan Cave s commitment to the professional advancement and success of women, in 2014 The Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF), an organization dedicated to advancing the careers of women at the largest law firms and corporate law departments in the United States, certified Bryan Cave as a Gold Standard firm. Women hold key leadership positions throughout Bryan Cave. In addition to Chair Therese Pritchard, several women partners sit on the firm s Executive and Management Committees. Seven of the firm s offices are led by women managing partners, as are several core firm practice areas, including Antitrust, Employee Benefits, Financial Services and Commercial Litigation. Accepting the WILEF Gold Standards Award on behalf of Bryan Cave were New York partner Tara Newell (center) and New York associates Carolyn Rincon (left) and Anna Nazarenko (right). Platforms for Success: Bryan Cave Affinity Groups Bryan Cave s four affinity groups are a valuable resource for our diverse lawyers and the firm. The affinity groups promote the professional growth and advancement of their members by creating opportunities for training, mentoring, networking inside and outside the firm, and business and leadership development. The affinity groups foster communication among attorneys with shared interests and backgrounds, and provide a platform for frank dialogue about diversity and inclusion at the firm. The firm s strategic commitment to diversity has no borders and our diversity initiatives are fully integrated around the world. Affinity groups extend to all our offices, we recruit and hire diverse talent worldwide, and we look to retain and promote diverse lawyers globally. Women Lawyers Our Women s Forum has provided a platform for the career development and success of Bryan Cave s women lawyers. The group facilitates relationship building with clients and potential clients and provides professional, business development and community leadership opportunities for our women attorneys. Through internal programming, such as skills and leadership training sessions, the Women s Forum has developed connections among our women attorneys and established important mentoring relationships between junior and more experienced women lawyers at the firm. The Women s Forum provides members with resources for networking, mentoring and professional development as well as a community in which to express themselves and to facilitate discussions with like-minded clients and professionals. Tara Newell, New York partner and co-chair of the Women Lawyers Affinity Group Our women lawyers affinity group, the Women s Forum, promotes the talent and value our women lawyers bring to clients, fosters professional growth and is truly committed to seeing our women succeed at all levels. Nicole Simonian, Los Angeles partner and co-chair of the Women Lawyers Affinity Group 5
New York Women s Forum Annual Client Networking Event The firm s Power Project has been a highlight of our 2014 women lawyers programs. An exclusive learning seminar series focused on leadership development and leveraging networks, the Power Project is tailored for women in the professional world. Through a unique collaboration with executive consultants, Bryan Cave offered a series of accelerated professional and business development sessions for select groups of women attorneys and clients in Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco. Lawyers of Color The Lawyers of Color affinity group provides an active network for its members and offers a variety of opportunities for dialogue, mentoring, skills training, and leadership and business development. Affinity group members from offices around the world meet quarterly to discuss issues that impact the recruitment, retention and promotion of lawyers of color. In June, approximately 100 lawyers of color from throughout the firm convened in the firm s Atlanta office for the group s second firmwide meeting. The packed agenda included sessions on business and practice development, networking and relationship-building, and associate engagement. Chair Emeritus Don Lents and current Chair Therese Pritchard participated in the meeting, as did several other members of the firm s top leadership. LGBT Lawyers Bryan Cave is committed to offering an inclusive and welcoming environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers. The LGBT Lawyers affinity group provides a platform for open dialogue and offers programming to support that commitment. In 2014, the group held its annual meeting in our Washington, D.C., office to develop their 2015 strategic plan. Firm Chair Therese Pritchard, along with Executive and Management Committee members and other firm leaders, attended the meeting and joined affinity group members in robust discussions about how to ensure the firm provides a welcoming space for lawyers who are openly LGBT and for LGBT lawyers to come out. The meeting was capped off with a reception for Bryan Cave s Washington lawyers, local clients and law students. Special guest Tara Borelli, senior attorney with the Southern Regional Office of Lambda Legal, spoke to the more than 90 attendees about the firm s work as co-counsel with Lambda Legal in the pending litigation challenging the constitutional prohibition against same-sex marriage in Georgia. St. Louis partner and Executive Committee member Paula Pace, Irvine partner Amit Parekh, San Francisco associate Jessica Mar, Santa Monica associate Zena Ho, and Denver partner Manuel Martinez (l to r) at the Lawyers of Color affinity group firmwide meeting reception. Key Pro Bono Representation: Family Equality Council and Marriage Equality Through a relationship that was initiated by the LGBT Lawyers affinity group and with extensive contributions from Bryan Cave lawyers outside the group, the firm has played a dynamic role in Through our group we have been able to achieve a greater level of engagement with the lawyers of color and improve coordination on joint business development efforts. Arindam Kar, St. Louis partner and co-chair of the Lawyers of Color affinity group The more experienced members of the group benefit from the collective brain trust of partners professional and business development experiences. For associates, we provide opportunities to develop relationships among themselves and with the partners of color. Katie Schwarting, Charlotte partner and co-chair of the Lawyers of Color affinity group If I could tell a potential client or recruit one thing about our group, it is that we enjoy the wholehearted support of firm leadership and the firm generally. Chris Dueringer, Los Angeles partner and chair of the LGBT Lawyers affinity group 6
litigation nationwide seeking to strike down statutes and state constitutional amendments that discriminate against same-sex couples in connection with the right to marry. The Family Equality Council (FEC) has been the signature pro bono client of the firm s LGBT Lawyers affinity group for several years. The Voices of Children amicus brief filed by Bryan Cave on behalf of the FEC was seen as a key component in two decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court that are victories for LGBT rights. Bryan Cave filed the amicus brief in United States v. Windsor, challenging the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and Hollingsworth v. Perry, challenging California s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual unions. The brief highlighted the stigmatizing effect of Proposition 8 and DOMA on children of same-sex parents. Its expression of the voices of children in gay families gained attention from academics, the press, interest groups and citizens nationwide. The Supreme Court ultimately struck down DOMA and dismissed Proposition 8, advancing the likelihood that samesex couples in California would have the right to marry. Since the Supreme Court s landmark decisions in Windsor and Perry, Bryan Cave has filed amicus briefs on behalf of FEC in six federal circuit courts where marriage equality litigation is pending. At the state level, Bryan Cave lawyers in our Atlanta office are co-counsel in a class action brought in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, on behalf of several individual plaintiffs challenging the Georgia Constitution and related Georgia statutes that ban marriage between same-sex couples. Corporate Equality Index For the eighth year in a row, Bryan Cave earned a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index a national benchmarking DC office managing partner LaDawn Naegle addresses lawyers and guests at the annual LGBT Lawyers affinity group firmwide meeting reception. survey on policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The CEI is considered the gold standard in evaluating employer policies and practices on LGBT issues, said firm Chair Therese Pritchard. We are proud to once again earn 100 percent in this important evaluation. This demonstrates our continued commitment to making the firm a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone, and specifically for our LGBT colleagues. Lawyers with Alternative Work Schedules and Sites Bryan Cave is committed to offering balanced hours to lawyers who require flexibility in their work schedules because of family obligations or other demands. The Lawyers with Alternative Work Schedules & Sites (LAWSS) affinity group was formed to meet the needs of our lawyers who work alternative or reduced schedules or telecommute. The group s mission is to identify strategies for career and business development, and develop best practices for supporting and encouraging work/life balance while continuing to meet the goals and objectives of the firm and each individual. Our most remarkable success was the amicus submissions on marriage equality in the six federal circuit courts to hear appeals of marriage equality cases. In all, we focused on the children of LGBT parents, on behalf of our signature pro bono client, Family Equality Council, and the stigma they face because their parents cannot wed in their states. Bill Hibsher, New York senior counsel and chair emeritus of the LGBT Lawyers affinity group Our group provides our members the opportunity to share challenges, successes and best practices with the goal of insuring that flexible schedules work for the individual lawyer, the firm and our clients. By providing this support, we are helping to retain diverse talent and that benefits the firm and our clients. Judith Gallent, New York partner and chair of LAWSS affinity group 7
Putting Our Principles Into Action Learning from Leaders Learning from Leaders is our unique action-based mentoring program in which members of the Executive and Management Committees serve as mentors to mid-level associates of color. The leader/associate pairs complete a variety of activities together focused on developing practice skills and expertise, building key relationships inside the firm, and seeking opportunities for involvement and leadership outside the firm. The program completed its fourth year in 2014, and with ongoing participation by the firm s senior leadership, it continues to reinforce the firm s message of inclusion and commitment to diversity. As a mentor, you end up learning more from your mentee than he or she learns from you. Building these types of interpersonal relationships between our lawyers strengthens our commitment to the firm and our clients. Brian Berglund, Denver/St. Louis partner Executive Committee member and mentor 8 Diversity Dialogues Workshops In 2014, the firm completed an intensive curriculum of diversity workshops for our lawyers. The Diversity Leadership: Developing Strategies Through Dialogue program focuses on raising awareness and identifying specific strategies and best practices to support the recruitment, development, and promotion of women lawyers, lawyers of color, and LGBT lawyers at the firm. The program kicked off with workshops for the firm s top leadership. The Executive and Management Committees were the first participants, followed by all office managing partners and practice group leaders. After all members of firm management had participated in the workshops, the program was rolled out to all of our U.S. lawyers. The response to the program was overwhelmingly positive and the firm is already working on the next series of workshops. One of the best aspects of being a mentor is the opportunity to get to know an associate better than I otherwise might, including understanding her career goals, and helping her achieve those goals. We have worked on career development, business development, gaining knowledge of the firm in the office and across the platform, and making external connections, among other things. Ken Henderson, New York partner Executive Committee member and mentor
My mentor Brian has provided me with a different and very beneficial perspective in advancing my career, and has posed good questions as to how I could improve my skills. Tino Ochoa, St. Louis associate Having a mentor like Ken, who has a wealth of experience and knowledge, has given me insight into the different stages of a legal career, which has informed many of my professional decisions. Being a part of the program has also allowed me access to client development opportunities that otherwise may not have been available to me. Rocio Chavez, New York associate Pro Bono Clients Aids Memorial Park Arizona Chinese American Hi-Tech Association Bella Abzug Leadership Fund Calamus Colombia Marriage Equality Family Equality Council Gay Men s Health Crisis, Inc. Harvey Milk High School Hetrick Martin Institute Hot Bread Kitchen Lambda Legal Missouri Asian American Bar Association Prosper Women Entrepreneurs St. Louis Business Diversity Sylvia Rivera Law Project Thurgood Marshall Bar Association Sponsorships Anti-Defamation League Bet Tzedek The House of Justice Colorado Women s Bar Association Diversity Awareness Partnership Family Equality Council Georgia Association of Black Women Attorney s Foundation Hispanic Bar Association of St Louis Japan America Society of St. Louis, Inc. Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix Jewish Community Relations Bureau Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington Latin American Education Foundation Minority Corporate Counsel Association Missouri Asian American Bar Association Mound City Bar Association National Asian Pacific American Bar Association New York Women in Film & Television Orange County Lavender Bar Association PROMO Fund Sejong Cultural Education, Inc. UJA Federation of New York Women In Law Empowerment Forum Women s Bar Association of DC Women s Employment Network Women s Foundation of Colorado 9
Leading In Our Communities and In Our Firm Organization Leaders Bryan Cave s commitment to diversity includes encouraging individual lawyers participation in professional and community organizations outside the office. Our lawyers have taken on leadership roles in many local and national diversity organizations throughout the country. Highlights include: GEORGE CHEN President, NAPABA Phoenix partner George Chen was sworn into office as president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) at the organization s 26th Annual Convention. He will serve as president for the fiscal year 2014-2015. Chen partners with long-term clients to develop, protect, enforce, defend, license, and commercialize intellectual property and other business assets. SUSAN KOVAROVICS President-Elect, Women s Bar Association of Washington, D.C. On May 21, 2014, Washington, D.C., partner Susan Kovarovics became president-elect of the Women s Bar Association (WBA) of DC. The WBA promotes the administration of justice, seeks to advance and protect the interests of women lawyers and promote their mutual improvement. Kovarovics counsels foreign and domestic parties regarding international business regulatory matters. ADWOA SEYMOUR President, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys Atlanta partner Adwoa Seymour was elected president of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) in 2014. GABWA was formed in 1981 to nurture, support and galvanize the power of black women attorneys, advocate for women and children and empower the communities it serves. Seymour represents both companies and manufacturers in products liability litigation, business tort and contract disputes, and insurer tortious bad faith litigation. 10
New Partners in 2014 MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ WASHINGTON VYAS SURESH ST. LOUIS We congratulate and welcome the following recently promoted and lateral partners. JENA VALDETERO CHICAGO PAULA LEVITAN LONDON Levitan has more than two decades of experience managing the international legal affairs of public and private retail and consumer product companies, and handling the legal aspects of investment activities in the sector. PEDRO MARTINEZ-FRAGA MIAMI Martinez-Fraga is a leading practitioner in the field of international litigation and transnational arbitration, including complex jurisdictional disputes concerning common law and civil law issues. Rodriguez focuses his public policy and government affairs practice on providing advice and counsel in a broad range of regulatory affairs, policy and legislative areas. Suresh focuses on all aspects of commercial, industrial, manufacturing and residential construction and real estate law, with a particular emphasis on construction transactions. Valdetero handles a variety of commercial litigation and business disputes both locally and nationally before state and federal trial and appellate courts, and heads up the firm s data breach response team. 11
OFFICES Atlanta Boulder Charlotte Chicago Colorado Springs Dallas Denver Frankfurt Hamburg Hong Kong Irvine Jefferson City Kansas City London Los Angeles Miami New York Paris Phoenix San Francisco Shanghai Singapore St. Louis Washington Milan Affiliated Firm For more information on Bryan Cave s diversity initiatives, please contact: Lisa Demet Martin Chief Diversity Officer lisa.martin@bryancave.com Lolly Cerda Diversity Project Manager lolly.cerda@bryancave.com bryancave.com A Global Law Firm Bryan Cave LLP has a diversified international legal practice. The firm represents a wide variety of business, financial, institutional and individual clients, including publicly held multinational corporations, large and midsized privately held companies, partnerships and emerging companies. Aided by extensive investments in technology, Bryan Cave s approximately 1,000 lawyers across the United States, Europe and Asia efficiently serve clients needs in the world s key business and financial markets. 2015 BRYAN CAVE LLP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.