Achieving diversity in the legal profession requires commitment, learning and the collective and individual will to change. At Kelley Drye, diversity and inclusion are core values, expressed in our approach to recruiting lawyers and staff and to creating a workplace where all members are safe, respected and valued. Our commitment extends to community involvement, and to assembling client teams that draw upon our lawyers’ diverse perspectives and experiences.

Kelley Drye actively supports internal and external programs to increase diversity within the profession and to promote leadership opportunities within law firms for lawyers from historically underrepresented groups.  We invite high school students considering legal careers to see what it’s like to work in a law firm, support leadership training for diverse attorneys, and invite thought leaders among minority in-house counsel to share their perspective and experience with our lawyers.

Kelley Drye’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee advances the work of its three Guiding Principles―to foster a diverse, inclusive professional environment, maintain diversity in our ranks, and employ the firm’s culture and diversity in our business development and relationship-building efforts.

The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery in 2020 and the ensuing unrest that occurred around the country left us feeling waves of anger, frustration, and sadness. Believing that the Kelley Drye community’s many talents could be leveraged to foster change, the firm established the Task Force on Racial Equality to increase awareness of racism and anti-racism efforts and leverage the talent and energy of the Kelley Drye community to assist in the fight for racial justice.

Recognizing the particular challenges women face in legal careers, in 2008 the firm launched a formal program, Women At KDW, to provide networking, mentoring and learning opportunities for women associates. Our Women Partners Group is equally active, meeting regularly to network, mentor women associates, cross-market, and share business development strategies.