Columbus Bar Managing Partner's Diversity Initiative

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News Releases Track Successes and Lessons Learned

“Minority representation in our firms is clearly much better in 2007 than 2000, but the reality is we’ve also seen some excellent minority attorneys choose to leave this year. Recruitment is a vital step, and we’ve gotten good at it, but long-term diversity also requires building an environment for success and satisfaction that keeps minority attorneys wanting to stay.”
--Columbus Managing Partners Diversity Initiative

Public accountability and measurable results are two critical components of the Managing Partner’s Diversity Initiative. Each participating organization agrees to conduct an annual survey of its employees to closely track diversity statistics. The surveys are reported to the Columbus Bar Association, and are published in a news release to the media and public.

Press Releases

• Link: 2007 – Firms Approach National Benchmark for Minority Partners, Focus on Retention (note: I don't believe that I have a link for this)
• 2006 – Minority Attorneys Up 100% from 2000, Firms Sign New 5-Year Plan
• 2005 – Minority Attorneys Find Opportunities in Columbus Law Firms
• 2004 – Diversity Initiative Shows Slow, Solid Progress
• 2003 – Columbus Law Firms Create Diversity, Hire by Hire
• 2002 – Managing Partner’s Diversity Initiative Reports First Survey
• 2001 – Columbus Makes Historic Pledge to Build Diverse Community of Lawyers
  

Awards

The Columbus Managing Partner’s Diversity Initiative has become a model program for bar associations across the country. It has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally, including the 2003 “Diversity Champion” award from United Way, the 2005 “Achievement Award” from the Ohio Society of Association Executives, and the 2003 "Partnership Award” from the American Bar Association. We publish our 5-year plans, progress reports and resources not only to communicate with and encourage our immediate community, but to share a larger dialogue with many interested legal organizations nationwide.

• Diversity Champion, United Way
• Achievement Award, OSAE
• Partnership Award, ABA