As an intellectual property law firm, Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione LLP specializes in protecting good ideas – and the firm knows diversity is an exceptional idea.
“Clients are demanding that diversity be part of the equation. Obviously, if something is important to a client, that makes it important to Brinks,” reflects shareholder Gustavo Siller, who also chairs the firm’s diversity committee. He has seen the firm’s programs adapt and evolve.
For example, “The mentorship program was something we started from the ground up to help us retain diverse attorneys,” Siller says, adding that the mentorship program has gone through several periods of growth and adjustment. In 2008, the firm launched a new mentorship program that abandoned the prior approach of random mentoring assignments. It provided mentorship training, established program requirements, and created measurable metrics for mentors and mentees alike.
Diversity training is required for all employees of the firm. “We had some issues that we didn’t realize at first because we only focused on the attorney ranks,” Siller recalls. “By including our staff, we heard new ideas about diversity – and ultimately it helped our firm as a whole function better.”
Brinks works hard to maintain an inclusive environment for everyone, including women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) attorneys. In addition to issues of race and ethnicity, its diversity training includes a focus on gender and LGBT issues. The firm’s non-discrimination policy explicitly includes sexual orientation.
“We are increasing efforts in the LGBT community. It is one demographic we are specifically looking at,” Siller notes.
The firm provides domestic partner benefits, and includes domestic partners in all firm events for spouses. Brinks was a signatory to the Chicago Bar Association’s Call to Action for women. The firm also has a liberal alternative work policy that permits promotion to partnership while working an alternative work schedule.
The recession has constricted diversity budgets, but Brinks is streamlining diversity initiatives, Siller explains. “It is hard to say that the economy hasn’t affected our diversity efforts. We have to look hard at where we contribute money to make sure it is being used in the most efficient and effective way.” Despite the poor economy, Brinks is partnering with a major client to sponsor initiatives at very diverse high schools in the Chicago area. “We provide a forum for groups and provide an introduction to IP law. The idea is to stimulate ideas about a career in law. It is a joint effort with our client, and although still in its infancy, it shows a lot of promise,” Siller proclaims.
“It feels great to be honored by MCCA,” Siller concludes. “The Sager award provides a level of comfort that we are taking steps in the right direction and are doing the right thing.” DB
From the November/December 2009 issue of Diversity & The Bar®