Diversity

“Diversity at Bryan Cave means a professional home where people of all backgrounds and perspectives can achieve personal success and contribute meaningfully to the success of the firm. Diversity brings depth and richness to our individual professional experiences, binds us to the communities where we practice, and makes our firm a better place. In the following pages, you will find highlights of our diversity initiatives, a summary of recent news and events, and information about our affinity groups, recruiting efforts and Diversity Committee.”

- Don Lents, Chair of the Firm

DIVERSITY NEWS & EVENTS

Perfect Score on HRC Corporate Equality Index 2012

For the fifth year in a row, Bryan Cave has earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. In its tenth year, the Corporate Equality Index ranked 850 companies on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) employees. The CEI rates companies on 40 specific policies and practices, 32 of which were new or more demanding this year. To achieve a perfect score, companies must have fully-inclusive equal employment opportunity policies, provide equal employment benefits, demonstrate organizational LGBT competency, evidence their commitment to equality publicly, and exercise responsible citizenship. Bryan Cave was one of 190 employers nationwide, and one of 55 AmLaw 200 firms, to meet all of the criteria and score 100 percent. In addition, Bryan Cave was one of only 13 AmLaw firms to score 100 percent every year for the past five years.

Women's Forum Holds Client Events

The Women’s Forum hosted successful client events in Kansas City and St. Louis. The Kansas City women lawyers held a private shopping event at Barnes & Noble. Client guests included H&R Block, Hallmark, Lockton, and Black & Veatch. The St. Louis event was held at Neiman Marcus and client guests included Monsanto, Emerson Electric, Sigma-Aldrich, Express Scripts, and Wells Fargo. Client feedback has been very enthusiastic to both events.

Bryan Cave Chicago Co-Sponsors Diversity Event

Bryan Cave joined the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and FTI Consulting for a networking event and workshop: Reaching New Heights Through Diversity and Leadership. The event featured speaker Davis Taylor, founder and leader of TAI, Inc., and was followed by a reception with an economic update by Nicholas Colas, Chief Marketing Strategist of ConvergEx Group. Approximately 150 people attended the event, including twenty-five to thirty Bryan Cave lawyers and clients.

Chicago Office Hosts Pro Bono Client Event

Bryan Cave’s Chicago office hosted a reception October 14th for the LGBT Affinity Group’s signature pro bono client, the Family Equality Council (FEC). The reception was an evening for lesbian, gay and ally clients and potential clients to be introduced to FEC and learn about the pro bono work the firm does on FEC's behalf. The Council's Executive Director, Jennifer Chrisler, was present and spoke about the organization. FEC works at all levels of government to advance full social and legal equality for LGBT families by ensuring that they are included in legislation, policies, and practices impacting families.

Chicago Women's Forum Holds Marketing Event

The Chicago Women’s Forum hosted a "Passion for Profits" marketing event on September 27th. The purpose of the event was to gather women together to network, celebrate successful women in business, and hear first-hand the stories of women who have taken an idea or a product and have grown it into a business. A moderated panel discussion featured guests from AmazingCosmetics: Lisa Thurman, Co-founder and CEO, Sue Katz, Co-founder, and Sandy Incardona, Director of Sales and Marketing Worldwide; and President and Business Coach of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Gail Zelitzky. The event was well attended by lawyers, clients, and prospective clients.

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