Clark Hill PRIDE
Clark Hill PRIDE elevates our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) lawyers and professional staff. In an industry in which LGBTQ professionals may feel the need to hide their personal identities or their family status, Clark Hill fosters a culture that recognizes a fully present professional is quite simply a stronger client advocate.
While we are proud of having created an environment that encourages LGBTQ individuals to bring their entire selves to their work, our ongoing goal is not just to maintain, but to exceed, our own high standards of inclusion.
FIRM POLICIES
Years ago, we turned a critical eye inward. We evaluated a broad range of firm policies, not only to comply with basic EEOC guidelines, but also to conduct an open-minded assessment of existing gaps and to identify programs and services we can provide to LGBTQ members of the Clark Hill family. This support is not limited to our lawyers and staff; we also encourage our professionals’ partners, spouses and children to be active, visible participants at firm functions and celebrations.
RECRUITING PRACTICES
Clark Hill seeks the best legal minds—full stop. This includes identifying and recruiting promising lawyers, paralegals and other high-performing professionals within the LGBTQ community. We actively support the national Lavender Law Career Fair and network with members of Lambda Legal, Equality Texas and the Human Rights Campaign. We work with LGBTQ student organizations of law schools across the country to identify candidates who will best contribute to the firm and our clients.
MENTORING AND SPONSORSHIP
Every lawyer at Clark Hill should have real opportunities to become leaders at the firm. We provide mentoring and encouragement at every step, from providing proactive support to our newest associates as they learn to navigate the law firm environment, through monitoring the structure of client teams to guarantee our LGBTQ lawyers regularly receive quality work assignments, to advocating for rising stars as they climb within our ranks. Our LGBTQ partners serve in leadership roles well beyond ClarkHill PRIDE, including in pivotal firm management roles such as practice group leaders and on the firm’s key committees.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Demand for diverse firms and legal counsel is becoming increasingly common. At Clark Hill, we are proud to have been one step ahead of these expectations — whether or not such requirements are mandated formally within our clients’ companies or are simply responding to the general and growing concern among leading businesses that their vendors’ workforces reflect the nation’s diversity. ClarkHill PRIDE offers a strong platform that demonstrates this commitment to our clients while ensuring that our LGBTQ attorneys are offered every opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with existing and prospective clients.