Community
Fostering a culture that generates a sense of belonging, supports authenticity and intersectionality, and values our differences.
We consistently strive to foster a culture of inclusion. Our firmwide affinity groups and employee resource groups provide a platform to support and connect with one another. Our policies and practices—including policies around gender transition, pronouns, and name pronunciation—support authenticity. And, we reward efforts to foster DEI with billable hour credit.
DEI Billable Hour Credit
Fostering DEI at our law firm is everyone's business. With DEI billable hour credit, we recognize that—and reward it. We count up to 3% of an attorney's annual billable hour requirement toward eligible DEI activities.
Affinity Groups
Our seven firmwide affinity groups—attorneys of color, first generation professionals, flexible hours, LGBTQ+, senior attorneys, veterans, and women—are open to all, promote our community, and provide a platform to connect with one another.
Employee Resource Groups
Our five staff employee resource groups—people of color (United Shades of DWT), LGBTQ+ (DWT P.R.I.D.E.), parents (A Grounded Place), individuals with disabilities (DWT Abilities & Allies Network), and women (DWShe)—are open to all and exist as one aspect of the firm's commitment to fostering a culture of belonging at DWT. The groups work to create culturally responsive spaces for business professionals to discuss community-specific successes and challenges, cultivate authentic relationships and community, support professional development and mentorship opportunities, and provide feedback to firm leadership on DEI opportunities and/or concerns.
Office DEI Committees
Policies to Foster Inclusion
Inclusion is intentional and our policies reflect that. For example, our gender inclusivity policies include guidance on gender transition; we encourage the use of gender pronouns; we offer the option to include name pronunciations in emails; we participate in the Disability Equality Index Survey; we offer a one-year program matching associates preparing for parental leave with a transition partner for support; and much more.