Expanding Our REACH
Kilpatrick Stockton established REACH to embody our Diversity Action Program
because the term and concept both capture our legacy of leadership in inclusiveness and symbolize our
commitment to the future for diversity. REACH reflects that creating and sustaining a
diverse environment are not matters of happenstance, but require strategic, purposeful
initiatives. As our strategic program for promoting diversity, REACH is long-range as
well as opportunistic.
The REACH program features:
- A Diversity Council of senior partners and senior administrators:
- W. Randy Eaddy, Partner and Diversity Council Chair
- William H. Brewster, Partner and Co-Chair
- Stephen E. Baskin, Partner
- Stephen R. Berlin, Partner, Executive Committee member
- Kim Dechiara, Director, Attorney Recruiting & Development
- Deborah L. Fletcher, Partner
- Diane Monk, Chief, Human Resources
- Jennifer Schumacher, Partner and WomenREACH Chai
- Joseph H. Huff, Partner
- Michael W. Tyler, Partner
- An Attorney Diversity Team and a Staff Diversity Team, whose respective
memberships include staff from across the firm.
- A full-time manager to support the implementation of our strategic plan and ensure
that we are focused on our commitment to diversity, day in and day out.
- A separate operating budget, which is approved as part of the Firm's normal
budgeting process, on par with the other core values of the Firm.
The centerpiece of our overall Diversity Action Program is our Strategic Action Plan for
Implementing Diversity Commitment ("SAP"), which we implemented to
guide, monitor and measure ourselves and our actions. The SAP has separate components
for Staff and Attorney roles, but those components share a common commitment and overarching goals to
enhance diversity throughout the Firm. These overarching goals, which are supported and pursued by over 70 specific action steps, are as follows:
- To develop and implement institutional structures and standard operating
procedures that solidify and facilitate our commitment to diversity as a core
value.
- To engage in proactive and innovative hiring practices at all levels that will
enable the Firm to reflect the diversity profile of the communities in which we
are located and/or practice.
- To improve significantly our retention and advancement of diversity personnel
at all levels by developing and implementing programs and support systems that
train, mentor and empower our personnel for successful advancement and
promotion.
- To increase the participation of women and minority attorneys in management
and other leadership roles within the Firm and to ensure the proper sharing by all
attorneys in the financial benefits provided by the Firm.
- To facilitate the refinement, implementation and coordination of policies and
related models for success and advancement by attorneys who desire a reduced schedule or
other alternative time commitment for their practice of law.
- To communicate and promote in appropriate ways our diversity commitment,
diversity attorneys and staff and diversity successes to persons and organizations
who share a similar commitment.
Through the SAP, we will
ensure that diversity flourishes as a core value throughout our firm – today and in the
future.
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