Locke Lord Announces Billable Credit for Diversity and Inclusion Projects, Furthering Firm’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Effective Jan. 1, 2021, Locke Lord attorneys will receive credit for up to 75 hours of qualifying diversity and inclusion activities toward an attorney’s billable hours requirement — just the latest example of continuing to hone the Firm’s focus on its core value of diversity and inclusion.

The announcement closely follows several recent actions to further elevate and strengthen the Firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts. After achieving Mansfield Rule Certification 3.0 from Diversity Lab in 2020, which requires firms to consider a diverse slate of candidates for a defined list of roles, committees and leadership activities, Locke Lord is currently participating in the Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification, which will conclude by July 2021. Locke Lord also achieved a 100 percent rating in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year. A perfect score in this annual report evaluating policies and practices related to LGBTQ employees, culture and corporate social responsibility earns the Firm the distinction of being an employer of choice for LGBTQ employees.

Locke Lord is also establishing a formal Diversity Supplier Program to advance its commitment to hiring and supporting minority-owned businesses. In addition, continuing its long-standing tradition of donating to equal justice and civil rights organizations at the national and local levels, the Firm has increased its donations to educational programs that provide resources and opportunities to underserved communities.

Diversity and inclusion is not only one of the Firm’s five core values, it’s an integral part of Locke Lord’s strategic plan. Locke Lord understands that fostering an inclusive environment results in better decision-making, better outcomes for clients and a firm where team members can be successful and thrive. To read more about Locke Lord’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, click here.