‘Culture of inclusion’ earns Katten a place on D&I index
US law firm Katten has announced its inclusion on the Diversity Best Practices (DBB) Inclusion Index, yesterday, August 18.
The index is compiled by DBP, a division of Working Mother Media, which campaigns on behalf of working mothers. The index measures data provided by companies, including recruitment practices, the retention and advancement of people from underrepresented groups, the corporate culture and workforce demographic data.
"Katten is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, particularly in this moment of a public health crisis that is disproportionately impacting people of colour, as well as the outcry to end systemic racism and focus on racial justice and equity for all," said Katten chief diversity partner Leslie Minier. "We must push to make progress on this front now and in the future to create a better workplace for our attorneys and business professionals."
Companies are recognised on the index for meeting standards of excellence in three areas. These include transparency and demographics, indicated by the willingness of companies to share specific data on the representation of women, and other minority ethnic groups within their workforces as well as having higher levels of diverse representation at senior levels.
Other measured areas are the adherence to best practices for fostering diversity and inclusion (D&I) in recruitment, retention and advancement, and the promotion of a company culture that values diversity.
Katten was among 98 organisations that earned a score of at least 60% based on these criteria and a place on the fourth annual index. According to DBP, the index helps organisations understand trends and gaps in demographic representation, and identifies D&I solutions to close the gaps.
Katten has taken several steps to promote D&I within the firm, such as joining the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance to help identify and dismantle structural, systemic racism using pro bono resources to create lasting change.
Additionally, the firm has hosted virtual sessions to enable employees to share their personal and professional experiences of racism and offer feedback to help shape the firm's long-term strategy for D&I. Katten also introduced a donation programme to support organisations with an anti-racism agenda.
"This year, we have amplified our internal and external programming to better achieve our diversity and inclusion mission and help our professionals reach their full potential, deliver innovative solutions for our clients, and make a positive impact in the communities in which we work," said Amber Haggins, Katten's director of D&I.
Through Katten's partnership with the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, the firm has also sponsored attorneys in programmes that provide leadership training, development and mentoring for diverse talent.
According to Katten, the firm’s diversity committee and its committee for racial and ethnic diversity have supported the networking, mentorship and professional development of diverse professionals and advocated for stronger efforts to recruit, hire, retain and promote attorneys of colour.
Finally, Katten’s other D&I efforts include its participation in the Mansfield Rule, a 12-month certification process run by Diversity Lab that measures whether law firms have considered at least 30% women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership roles and promotions.
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