Legal Industry and Law Firms

The Challenge

VallotKarp partnered with a prominent Am Law 100 firm that wanted to strengthen its overall diversity and inclusion efforts particularly around the retention and advancement of attorneys from underrepresented groups.  The goal was to equip leaders and teams with the tools and strategies needed to overcome common barriers to retention and career development, and to enhance inclusion and belonging.

How We Helped

We began by working with partners on the firm’s DEI Committee, conducting confidential interviews to gather individual perspectives on the firm’s current DEI efforts. This qualitative data helped us identify both existing strengths and potential barriers to the retention and advancement of underrepresented associates.  Using these insights, we designed and delivered a workshop for partners focused on identifying and interrupting unconscious bias, as well as inclusive leadership best practices. 

• We also presented workshops to senior associates on topics such as managing effectively across differences and developing inclusive leadership skills. These sessions provided actionable strategies and equipped participants with practical tools to lead more inclusively.

• To engage mid-level associates, workshops focused on working effectively across differences and debunking myths and stereotypes. These conversations fostered greater awareness and strengthened collaboration across the firm.

• We conducted workshops for all managers and directors to equip them with tools for driving DEI progress within their teams, including leading inclusively, managing team dynamics, and navigating challenging conversations.

• At the firm's annual partner retreat, we addressed post-pandemic shifts in the legal landscape, highlighting the critical role of relationship-building in developing high-performing teams. 

• Finally, we developed in-depth DEI scorecards to help the firm track and measure progress at all levels of the firm.

The Impact

Through our collaboration, the firm has made significant strides in raising awareness of the issues that impede retention and development, while providing both attorneys and professional staff with tools to shift day-to-day behavior in more inclusive ways.  Notably, feedback from workshop participants was positive, with many expressing newfound insights and a renewed commitment to driving change within their respective teams.  The firm also saw measurable improvements in representation across a wide range of identities--progress that helped them qualify for Mansfield Certification.