Diversity is all the things that make us who we are.
We have different experiences, backgrounds and histories. We are men and women, straight and gay and lesbian, and of many different beliefs and colors. We have come from the corners of the Earth, from Asia and Africa, Europe and South America. We came centuries ago, and we came last year. We are lawyers and paralegals, accountants and secretaries, messengers and clerks, researchers and librarians. We are newly minted and widely experienced.
We have differences, we have similarities, but together we stand strong. This strength will free us to be innovative, progressive and creative in meeting challenges and helping our clients reach their goals.
Our diversity and inclusion mission statement
Our diversity and inclusion mission statement includes a commitment to continuous improvement in five strategic areas:
- Recruitment: We continually seek out opportunities to hire diverse attorneys and staff, for example by attending minority job fairs. At the law student level, our 1L Diversity Scholarship is open to first-year law students of color or others of diverse backgrounds.
- Retention: We provide mentoring and professional development programs for all associates, including opportunities for diverse associates to further their careers by interacting with the firm's top work generators. We support our lawyers’ memberships and activities in diverse/ethnic bar associations and sponsor association events.
- Cultural Competency: We provide opportunities for our attorneys and staff to increase their ability and confidence in talking about issues of diversity.
- Vendor Diversity: Our goals are to purchase at least 5 percent of our goods and services from minority-owned business enterprises and at least 5 percent from woman-owned business enterprises.
- Communication: We regularly communicate to our colleagues, clients and communities the progress we are making and the work yet to be done.
Our PRISM Committee, chartered in 1999, develops projects and programs in support of this mission statement.
Information for clients and suppliers
Clients who would like additional information about our diversity programs are invited to contact Karen Russell, manager of diversity initiatives, at 206.622.3150 or karenrussell@dwt.com.
Suppliers, please read about our supplier diversity program or contact Peter Gowell at 206.757.8483 or petergowell@dwt.com.
Diversity will always be a part of our value proposition. |