February
2020 Year In Review
Diversity
Inclusion
For the 11th year in a row, we achieved a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, a U.S. national benchmarking survey and report which evaluates LGBTQ-related policies to promote LGBTQ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Named Among Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, Earning Perfect Score for the 11th Consecutive Year
January
We are all Shearman & Sterling.
As a global law firm, diversity and inclusion are part of our fabric, interwoven in who we are and all we do. We are committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best and most diverse talent from around the globe to serve our clients with the insights, judgment and excellence that they expect from us. We know that the continued success of our firm, our people and our clients are inextricably bound, and require that we reflect the variety of perspectives and backgrounds represented in our ever more interdependent world.
Thank you for joining us in a momentous year for diversity and inclusion. Below please find an overview of our diversity and inclusion 2020 happenings
2020 TimeLine
April
Our New York Office hosted the annual Women Senior Counsel Bootcamp, focusing on the theme of Flexing to Lead. The WISER London chapter hosted an all-female partner panel discussion on the theme #EachforEqual.
Celebrated Women’s History Month & International Women’s Day Globally
March
Utilizing the benefits of virtual environment, we launched Women Partners Mentoring Circles, which are aimed at ensuring that our women associates and counsel have the touchpoints needed to maintain connectivity and feel included.
Launched the Women Partners Mentoring Circles
May
We proudly observed Juneteenth as a holiday for all U.S. offices, as well as in London and Paris. Moving forward, Juneteenth will be a holiday in the U.S. permanently with other offices/regions joining at the discretion of local leadership.
Observed Juneteenth as a Firm Holiday
June
July
Hosted NJ LEEP and Legal Outreach Students
The firm hosted eight students for the Legal Outreach / NJ LEEP Summer Program for a four-day immersive learning experience for high school students. This program seeks to increase diversity and inclusion in the legal profession by fostering a diverse pipeline at the high school level.
Launched the BE SEEN (Black Employees at Shearman for Equity, Empowerment and Networking) Inclusion Network exclusively for business services professionals. BE SEEN is aimed at enhancing the firm's efforts in attracting, developing and retaining Black professionals and work to create an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Launched the BE SEEN Inclusion Network
August
In celebration of National Inclusion Week in the U.K., we invited colleagues across the firm to share what inclusion means to the them and shared these responses.
Celebrated National Inclusion Week in the U.K.
September
October
November
December
During the event, Ms. Langley, VP and General Counsel at BIC International, discussed the career journey that led her to her current leadership role and lessons learned as a female, diverse professional.
Co-hosted a Black History Month Event, Featuring LaTanya Langley
In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the U.S., we circulated an educational communication featuring responses from members of the firm’s AAPI community, spotlighting how they were observing the month.
Celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
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Timeline
At this year’s First Year Conference, the chairs of the Inclusion Networks facilitated a panel discussion on their respective Networks as well as guidance on how to get involved.
Hosted Inclusion Network Panel at First Year Conference
In addition to sponsoring the North East Black Law Students Association’s Annual Regional Convention and Gala, our BLAQUE (Black Lawyers Aligned in the Quest for Excellence) Inclusion Network co-chairs attended the event to further bolster the organization’s mission and its aspiring Black lawyers.
Sponsored and Attended NEBLSA’s 52nd Annual Regional Conference
The WISER (Women’s Initiative for Success, Excellence and Retention) Inclusion Network celebrated Roberta Cherman and Jennifer Morton, 2020’s newly elected women partners.
WISER Celebrated the Women New Partners
The expansion of Sterling Pride to our Paris office helps enhance our LGBTQ+ initiatives and advocacy globally. Our Paris chapter will work hand-in-hand with Shearman#Elles and other Sterling Pride chapters across the firm to promote D&I initiatives in their office and beyond.
Expanded Sterling Pride to the Paris Office
Sterling Pride hosted a reception in the London office to celebrate LGBT History Month. The event delivered a presentation on the history of the Sterling Pride Inclusion Network and featured a video presentation which commemorated 10 years of Sterling Pride.
Celebrated LGBT History Month U.K.
The goal of the ALA Sponsorship Weinbar Series is to empower our lawyers, particularly those who are diverse, to create and maintain successful sponsorship relationships. The first installment covered the topic of Sponsorship Readiness: Key Behaviors and Action Planning.
Launched the ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinar Series
The D&I team circulated a firm wide communication on continuing a culture of inclusion in a virtual environment, which included a list of resources to cope and forge ahead in these unprecedented times.
Cultivated an Inclusive Environment While Remote
Launched the VALIANT (Veterans Association for Legal Industry-professionals Aligned to Navigate Together) Inclusion Network, to promote community service for veterans as well as leadership, mentoring and professional development of service members and veterans at the firm.
Launched the VALIANT Inclusion Network
Launched a curated D&I collection of research, strategies, and skills-based resources for professional development and learning. The library is updated regularly to provide resources on current key and pressing D&I issues.
Launched the D&I Resource Library
Spotlight
Deep institutional inequalities were exposed in 2020, leaving wounds that will be difficult to heal. We are part of a profession that is, and must always be, about fighting for and upholding the rule of law and equal justice under the law. As a firm, we have taken collective action by talking about racism, bias and inclusion with the goal of learning how to interrupt bias and take steps to ensure a safer, more inclusive and equitable workplace and society. Black individuals and communities must be heard, appreciated, understood and given the resources and opportunities to flourish and thrive, and most fundamentally, to be safe.
This year was a time for dialogue and a renewed commitment to refocus our efforts. We decided to accelerate our existing programs and introduce a number of new initiatives to deliver further change within our firm and wider communities including:
Black Lives Matter and the Racial Justice Movement
Kicked off a virtual mentoring program in partnership with a client, where select diverse associates were paired with senior client counterparts.
Launched Virtual Mentoring Program with a Client
Launched a podcast series featuring several guests including Lois Gordon (HR Director, EMEA), Mehran Massih (Counsel, Chair of Sterling Pride), Samuel Ogunlaja (Senior Associate, Chair of BLAQUE) and also with the external organization, Global Butterflies, created to bring awareness of trans and non-binary issues to the business sector.
Launched the Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Podcast Series
We launched BLAQUE Mentoring Circles, which are open to all members of the BLAQUE Inclusion Network globally to join. The first round facilitated six partner hosted circles to create touchpoints among over 20 Black lawyers.
Launched BLAQUE Mentoring Circles
Recognizing many were experiencing the distress of the racial justice movement, particularly our Black colleagues and their families, we rolled out the D&I Open Forums aimed at creating a safe space where our people can have candid discussions with each other on key D&I issues.
Introduced D&I Open Forum Conversations
In celebration of Pride Month, we:
• Circulated an educational communication featuring responses from members of the firm’s LGBTQ+ community.
• Sterling Pride donated to SAGE USA, an organization which supports LGBT elders.
• We sponsored the LGBT Center’s Virtual Garden Party.
• Sterling Pride London collaborated with Pride in the City, a not for profit organization which runs the UK’s largest, most diverse pride. The programs focused on being an ally and the intersection between mental health, LGBT+ and ethnicity.
• The London office also hosted an internal panel discussion which examined the importance of allyship.
Celebrated Pride Month
The second round of Women Partner’s Mentoring Circles consisted of 25 partners hosting circles with approximately 80 associate and counsel participants globally. Participants and hosts all provided positive feedback.
Facilitated Second Round of the Women Partners Mentoring Program
This panel event explored inclusion during times of uncertainty.
Held Client Panel Event: “Inclusion in Times of Uncertainty”
The second installment of the ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinars covered the topic of Cultivating Relationship Capital with Clients.
Held Second ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinar Series
To infuse the summer associate experience with the importance of diversity and inclusion in promoting a successful law firm environment, various educational and social events were held.
Held D&I Programming for Summer Associates
We hosted Dr. Arin Reeves for her expert guidance on how we can support each other during this crisis and how we can take action, as individuals and as a firm, to move forward as compassionate and inclusive colleagues and people.
Hosted “Inclusive and Compassionate Intelligence Amidst a Crisis” Webinar, Featuring
Dr. Arin Reeves
We launched the D&I Speaker Series coincided with currents events as the programs focused on antiracism, allyship and mental wellness.
Launched the D&I Speaker Series
We hosted former-lawyer turned speaker, Michelle Silverthorn, to provide actionable advice on how to navigate tough conversations regarding race and how we can all work to become allies for change.
D&I Speaker Series: “Change the Rules, Change the World: Ten Rules for a Racially Just Legal Workplace,” Featuring Michelle Silverthorn
We hosted author and mental health speaker, Mike Veny, to guide us on how to shield ourselves from stress, reduce their anxiety, and learn how to best take advantage of opportunities to cope with loneliness and grief. View the recording here:
D&I Speaker Series: “How to Find Inner Peace in Times of Uncertainty,” Featuring Mike Veny
We facilitated an Interactive-Virtual Theater Program for managers to navigate difficult conversations. The program focused on DEI in the context COVID-19 and the BLM movement. Participants watched, and engaged with, theatrical performances of workplace conversations which related to diversity, inclusion and belonging.
D&I Speaker Series: Virtual Interactive Theater Program
In celebration of Black History Month U.K, we hosted John Amaechi OBE, former NBA player, New York Times best-selling author, an organizational psychologist and speaker. He shared his insights on what it means to be "not racist" vs. "antiracist" and the role of allyship.
D&I Speaker Series: Black History Month U.K., Featuring John Amaechi OBE
The AACES (Asian Attorneys for Community, Empowerment and Success) Inclusion Network hosted Jerry Vattamala, Director of Democracy Program at AALDEF. The program involved a comprehensive discussion on AALDEF’s mission, their 2018 exit-poll survey results, early in-person voting, absentee voting, and other voting rights issues and concerns for Asian Americans.
Co-Hosted Program with AALDEF
We achieved Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certification by surpassing a 30% women and diverse candidate threshold for various recruiting and firm leadership-related criteria. We also confirmed the firm’s enrollment in Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification.
Became Mansfield Certified
We hosted Ama Yawson who provided practical and therapist-approved tools for discussing racism and stereotypes with children in an age-appropriate manner.
D&I Speaker Series: “How to Talk to Kids About Racism and Stereotypes,” Featuring
Ama Yawson
The third installment of the ALA Sponsorship Webinar series invited over 150 senior associates from around the firm to learn about the role that feedback can play in a sponsorship relationship.
Held Third ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinar Series
The third round of Women Partner’s Mentoring Circles facilitated 9 partners hosting circles with approximately
70 associate and counsel participants from around the world.
Facilitated Third Round of the Women Partners Mentoring Program
Sterling Pride New York partnered with SAGE to host a card-making event to provide support for LGBT elders, an especially vulnerable population.
Made Cards for LGBTQ+ Elders
The second round of BLAQUE Mentoring Circles took place, comprised of 6 partner hosting circles. These Circles facilitate conversations between all members of the Inclusion Network globally.
Facilitated Second Round of the BLAQUE Mentoring Program
The London office hosted this seminar in association with the Black Solicitors Network for the 2020 mentee cohort of BSN City Group’s ‘Creating Pathways’ mentoring and sponsorship program. This training session explored simple techniques to make networking (even virtually) easier, build confidence and develop strategic relationships.
Held Black Solicitors Network Networking Seminar
With the success of our allies program, which has grown significantly since it was launched and has been broadened to encompass all diverse groups in the firm, we introduced the Diversity Champion program in the London office.
Introduced the Allies and Champion Program
The D&I Speaker Series installment in November celebrated Veteran’s Day, featuring John Register. The conversation focused on how to gain clarity and control in uncertain times by providing strategies to address adversity, embody resilience, and embrace the new normal.
D&I Speaker Series: Veterans Day Celebration, Featuring John Register
The fourth and final installment of the ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinars covered the topic of Relationship Currency Moving Forward.
Facilitated Fourth ALA Sponsorship Quarterly Webinar Series
Inclusion Network Conference & Retreats
Fireside Chat with Michelle Kim
This fireside chat featured Michelle Kim, an expert in organizational change management, strategic goal setting, and social justice activism set the groundwork for Awaken's multidisciplinary and action-oriented learning programs.
Authenticity and Upward Mobility: Navigating the Leadership Pipeline
Dr. Robert Rodriguez talked about how career leadership pipelines work within corporate America, and how Latinx talent can prepare for upward mobility.
“You’re So Articulate!”: How Implicit Bias Can Dismantle Your Organization’s Professional Development and Diversity and Inclusion Goals with Ama Yawson
Ama utilized social science, current events, and role-playing to provide participants with a greater awareness of microaggressions while empowering participants to become cultural change agents within their organization.
Systemic Racism and Critical Race Theory with Professor Deborah N. Archer
This keynote session featured Deborah N. Archer, Jacob K. Javits Professor at New York University, and Associate Professor of Clinical Law; Co-Faculty Director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law; and Director of the Civil Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law. She is a nationally recognized expert in civil rights and racial justice and teaches and writes in the areas of racial justice, civil rights, and community equity
Fireside Chat with Fabrice Houdart
This fireside chat featured Fabrice Houdart, Managing Director for Global Equality Initiatives at Out Leadership. Fabrice spoke about the current global situation for LGBTI rights, the role of business in promoting human rights, and more generally the connections between business, development, and supporting LGBTI people around the world.
Powerful Presentation: In a Virtual World
During this session, attendees learned how to deliver successful presentations to an audience of one or one hundred. Nicole Wells outlined effective delivery, how to speak succinctly, clarify key messages, and keep presentations engaging.
Client Perspectives on Success, Leadership and Intersectionality
A panel discussion featured Kersti Hanson, Director and Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America Securities, Karin Kringen, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo, So Young Lee, Director and Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Securities, and Jane Son, Director of Legal, Barclays
Aim High: Empowering Women in Leadership
This session featured Cara Hale Alter, author, founder and president of SpeechSkills. Using real-world examples and interactive exercises, this session examined the skill set necessary for women to embody and exude executive presence. Cara discussed the power of the “subtextual” conversation—body language, vocal patterns, and mannerisms that can raise or lower one’s status in the workplace. She also explored female- and male-identified communication rituals, and how to confront counterproductive culture clashes caused by differences in style and language.
Spotlight
Inclusion Network
Conference & Retreats
The firm is proud to have achieved Diversity Lab’s Mansfield 3.0 Certification status. Now entering its fourth iteration, the Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ and lawyers with disabilities for leadership, governance roles to boost the representation of women and diverse lawyers in law firm leadership and recruiting efforts.
Achieving Mansfield Certification was one of our five firmwide goals toward advancing our women and diverse professionals by 2023. To build on this momentum, we have also signed onto Mansfield 4.0 for 2021 and intend on doing so in subsequent years.
We remain steadfastly committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and safe environment for our people, our clients, and our local and global communities.
Firm Leadership Perspective on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Shearman
This conversation emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, touched on some of the firm's signature D&I programming and highlight how the firm has fostered a sense belonging.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Featuring Ellevate CEO Kristy Wallace and Shearman Partner Donna Parisi, the two discussed how you can grow and continue developing yourself through everyday improvements and a renewed focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and feedback.
Spotlight on Mentorship and Sponsorship at Shearman
Shearman Partners shared career advice and tips on how to seek and cultivate these relationships.
Inclusion Network Conference
In celebration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we hosted Alex Manners, Television and Radio Presenter and Asperger's Champion and Speaker, who delivered a session for us on his experience of living with Asperger's.
Celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities
We launched our inaugural global Inclusion Network Conference and individual Inclusion Network Retreats to bolster the firm's inclusive culture, creating a platform for colleagues from around the world to connect with one another. The Inclusion Network Conference programming was open to a global audince and included:
The Black Attorney Reality: An Examination of the Factors that Support (and Frustrate) Success with Werten Bellamy
This session featured Werten Bellamy who offered an actionable framework for each Black attorney to confront their career with a set of strategies for achieving their full potential. This discussion examined some of the factors most crucial for success.
Mansfield Certification
Black Lives Matter
Support
Donating
Listening
Learning
Recognizing
Taking Action
On June 2, Senior Partner David Beveridge issued a statement in support of our colleagues, alumni, clients and communities, which is on our public website and has also been shared with clients. On behalf of the firm, he also co-signed the Partnership for New York City’s open letter with 190 other CEOs in support of programs to address racial injustice and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the city’s Black and minority communities. We wrote to Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the State Legislature with 30 other law firms to urge the repeal of Section 50-a of the state’s Civil Rights Law to allow for the public disclosure of police records relating to police misconduct. This was successful, and you can read more in the New York City Bar Association’s recent legislative report. We also joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance which utilizes the private bar resources of more than 140 firms to assist legal services organizations in furtherance of their missions to dismantle barriers to opportunity in communities of color.
We are continuing our charitable giving to support public service and social justice organizations, including: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; NAACP-LDF; and Southern Poverty Law Center. Additionally, the firm launched a matching program where individual donations to these organizations will be matched for any amount up to $1,000.
We are hosting ongoing Open Forums as a safe space for our community to share candid and personal experiences.
We are delivering anti-racism, allyship and inclusive leadership educational seminars and resources.
Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States, was observed as paid leave for all in the Americas and London on June 19, 2020. Juneteenth will be observed as an ongoing holiday in the Americas.
We are working to advance racial justice and economic equity among Black communities with social justice organizations including: NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; AALDEF; Latino Justice and the Innocence Project; and Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
In celebration of Hispanic / Latinx Heritage Month U.S., we hosted a conversation with Maria Hinojosa, an award-winning journalist who is known for bringing humanity to her reporting. Ms. Hinojosa shared her personal journey as the first Latina in many newsrooms, including CBS, CNN AND NPR.
D&I Speaker Series: Hispanic / Latinx Heritage Month U.S., Featuring Maria Hinojosa
This session explored how parents can raise children that are accepting of all families and people, how LGBT+ parents can raise children that are confident when faced with ignorance, how parents can help LGBT+ children to be resilient and accepting of themselves and how can we be supportive allies to work colleagues, family and friends on their journeys.
Hosted 'Supporting Families in their LGBT+ Journey' with Educating Matters Webinar
This session covered what a disability is, gave an overview of disability discrimination in the workplace and focused on sensitivity and appropriate language surrounding disabilities.
Hosted Disability Awareness Training with Lewis Silkin
David J. Beveridge
Chair, Senior Partner
Lisa Brill
Partner Member
Denise Grant
Partner Member
Marwa Elborai
Partner Member
Daniel Litowitz
Partner Member
Lorna Chen
Partner Member
Patrick Robbins
Partner Member
James Webber
Partner Member
Cody Wright
Partner Member
William Roll
Partner Member
Sandra Bang
Chief Diversity & Talent Strategy Officer
Task
Force
Put into place the tracking of considering at least 30% diverse (i.e., women, people of color, LGBTQ, disability) candidates in all senior lateral hiring decisions for lawyers and business services roles; leadership and governance roles; and internal partner promotions (i.e., Mansfield Certification)
Achieved at least 30% women and diverse lawyers in leadership roles at the firm including Executive Group, Policy Committee, Business Unit Leaders, Practice Group Leaders, and Regional Managing Partners
Accomplished
Firmwide D&I Business Goals
In 2020, we:
Welcomed over 200 attendees from around the globe at the inaugural Inclusion Network Conference
Hosted 17 Open Forum conversations with colleagues from the U.S. and London
Had 350+ participants in the global women mentoring circles
Received 100% score on HRC CEI for the 11th consecutive year
Many of our clients demanded action.
Read our response.
A letter from
David J. Beveridge
Inclusion Network Retreats
In addition to the firmwide Inclusion Network Conference, members of each Inclusion Network were invited to gather virtually for collective learning and community building through individual Inclusion Network Retreats. Some of the programs included:
AACES Retreat
Alianza Retreat
BE SEEN Retreat
BLAQUE Retreat
Sterling Pride Retreat
VALIANT Retreat
WISER Retreat
support
Donating
Listening
Learning
Recognizing
Taking action
During this session, Michelle discussed the roots of impostor syndrome and why high-performing professionals suffer self-doubt about their abilities, despite their demonstrated success in the workplace.
You Belong Here: How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome in the Workplace
This conversation emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, touched on some of the firm's signature D&I programming and highlight how the firm has fostered a sense belonging.
Firm Leadership Perspective on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Shearman
Featuring Ellevate CEO Kristy Wallace and Shearman Partner Donna Parisi, the two discussed how you can grow and continue developing yourself through everyday improvements and a renewed focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and feedback.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Shearman Partners shared career advice and tips on how to seek and cultivate these relationships. This session’s recording is now available as a two-part episode of our Barrier Blasters podcast series.
Spotlight on Mentorship and Sponsorship at Shearman