Recent News

January 28, 2011

Williams Addresses Managing Partners Diversity Initiative and MLK Luncheon

The Hon. Stephen McIntosh and Paul S. Williams led the managing partners in a discussion of future considerations for the Managing Partners Diversity Initiative in a meeting on January 25 prior to the Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon. May 2011 will mark the tenth anniversary and final year of the current diversity agreement.

Originally signed in 2001 and renewed in 2006, this initiative has seen substantial success in most objectives including hiring, diversity training, establishing scholarships, support of pipeline programs like the Minority Clerkship Program and the Law and Leadership Institute. The number of minority attorneys has nearly doubled since the beginning but all agreed there is work to be done on retention.

Paul S. Williams is the Chicago office managing partner of the largest legal recruiting company in the nation, Major Lindsey and Africa, and he shared his perspective on current and future trends for diversity in the legal profession. As former General Counsel for Cardinal Health, Williams was able to relate to business factors unique to Central Ohio. He commended the group on progress thus far and challenged those present to look forward and anticipate current national trends that will impact Columbus in coming years. After a lively discussion with managing partners, Mr. Williams departed to address the Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon crowd.