Jones Diversity understands law firms and corporate legal departments. We have worked in and consulted to law firms of all sizes for more than 25 years – large law firms, midsize firms, minority-owned firms, women-owned firms, and boutique law firms. We have been partners, in-house counsel, and “fast-track” associates. We recognize the challenges and potential from all vantage points and we have developed the following list of programs that are customized for law firms:
Consulting Services to Law Firm Management
A law firm’s management is a key component of a successful diversity and inclusion initiative. Our consulting services range from one-on-one meetings to workshops for law firm management on the implementation of the diversity and inclusion initiative. We prefer to start with a process that includes individual interviews with senior firm management, including the Executive/Management Committee, practice group leaders, office managers, and Diversity and Inclusion Committee members, among others. We then work with you to develop a clear vision for the future. This vision forms the foundation for all of the other work we do at the firm regarding the diversity and inclusion initiative.
Diversity and Inclusion Assessment with Recommendations
The assessment is an essential step in understanding your law firm culture as it relates to diversity and inclusion. It can be done through a variety of means, but is usually achieved using a combination of an electronic survey, focus groups, and interviews with key firm members. At the end of the assessment process we analyze feedback and present our findings alongside recommendations customized to your firm’s specific needs.
Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan Design
Based on the findings of the assessment, we assist your firm or legal department in the design of a meaningful long term and short term diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
Consulting Services to Diversity and Inclusion Committee
The Diversity and Inclusion Committee drives the diversity effort. We assist the Diversity and Inclusion Committee in the implementation of the diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
Cultural Coaching Services
Sometimes diversity and inclusion issues are best addressed either individually or for a defined group. These services include:
- Individual Cultural Coaching
- Group Cultural Coaching
These services are designed for a particular employee or group of employees who might benefit from some individualized coaching.
Business Case for Diversity Workshop
This workshop is geared to help participants truly identify and understand the business benefits of valuing racial, cultural, and gender differences, among others, in the law firm environment.
Diversity and Inclusion Education Workshops (Parts I-III)
Awareness, Skills, and Advanced Diversity Education Workshops are designed to impact lawyers and staff in valuing racial and gender differences, among others, and understanding unconscious bias in the workplace.
Mastering the Game is a workshop that focuses on making explicit the unwritten rules for success within a large law firm or corporate culture. Mastering these rules is essential to advancement.
Diversity Talent Acquisition Initiative
The Diverse Talent Acquisition Initiative is about reaching beyond advertising in online career portals, engaging search firms, recruiting at on campus job fairs, and sponsoring events. It is about identifying and leveraging diverse networks to recruit a targeted pipeline of candidates. The Diverse Talent Acquisition Initiative enables law firms to provide leadership opportunities for existing women, minority, and other diverse employees, expand the recruitment networks of their human resource team, and identify a diverse and inclusive talent pool of experienced lawyers for current and/or future staffing needs.
Affinity Group Development
Affinity group development is often a highly effective inclusion strategy which creates a feeling of critical mass among diverse groups who are small in number. We work with our clients to establish, activate, and/or restructure affinity group programs to meet client needs.
Mentoring Program Design
Creating a mentoring culture can be a useful way to increase retention and develop a pipeline of lawyers in leadership. Jones Diversity designs formal mentoring programs customized to client needs and provides training to both mentors and mentees.
Cross-Cultural Competencies Workshop for Mentors and Mentees
To ensure that the mentoring program is successful, this workshop is designed to coach those employees who will be participating in the mentoring program. This training focuses on developing cross-cultural competencies as well as how to have a successful mentoring relationship.
Supplier / Vendor Diversity Initiative
Supplier/Vendor Diversity is about more than just from whom you purchase. It is about using the purchasing power of your firm to support your diversity initiative mission. The Supplier/Vendor Diversity Initiative is a strategy that enables law firms to deepen relationships with existing suppliers and build a strong pipeline of diverse suppliers while promoting inclusion and sustainability.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Sharon is unflappable, strategic, possessed with impeccable judgment and a leader. She has provided thoughtful analysis and actionable advice to my firm’s management committee about maximizing our diversity efforts.
