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Our Firm Diversity & Inclusion

Our Commitment

We are committed to diversity within the firm, the legal profession and the broader community. We recognize that diversity is multi-faceted, and as a result, our efforts are wide-ranging, specific and intentional. Our diversity strategic plan focuses on four core areas: community, education, professional development and recruitment and retention.

Within the firm, our culture is one aspect of our commitment to diversity. We maintain an inclusive, collaborative and collegial work environment across all of our offices and practice areas. Despite our growth over the years, as of March 2025 nearly 50% of our attorneys and staff have been with the firm for 10 years or more.

Our commitment to diversity extends beyond the firm. Several of our lawyers currently hold or have previously held significant leadership roles in organizations committed to furthering diversity in the legal progression, including:

  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Tampa Bay
  • Meritas Black Lawyers Forum
  • Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (MDFAWL)
  • SAVE Dade
  • Tallahassee Women Lawyers (TWL)

The firm has also supported the creation of The Bridge to Law School Program, which aims to encourage and support first-generation students on their journey to law school.  Because of this program, we proudly received the Daily Business Review’s 2024 Florida Legal Award — Diversity & Inclusion (Firm). Learn more about the program here.

“As Chair of the Diversity Committee, I have seen firsthand the firm’s commitment to ongoing growth, learning and accountability regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. The firm is focused on creating space for people to have their voices heard, connect with, and learn from each other. We foster an environment that facilitates candid conversations without the fear of saying something ‘wrong.’ We are continuously growing together.”

Jenea M. Reed
Shareholder and Chair of the Diversity Committee

EDUCATION

In September 2020, the firm launched the Equity and Justice Project, an initiative designed to educate, reflect, and engage within our firm and our broader communities about racial equity and social justice. As part of this initiative, the firm has hosted more than 20 internal education events regarding a range of important topics including systemic racism, voter suppression, inequality in education, criminal justice reform, public health disparities, women in the law and LGBTQ perspectives – to name a few.

Key components of the program include:

  • Educational resources on equity and social justice issues to broaden our understanding of these topics and how they impact our communities
  • Moderated, open forum discussions and guest speakers on specific DEI topics
  • Book, podcast and movie discussions addressing equity and justice
  • Service and philanthropic opportunities to engage with, support, and highlight organizations doing important work to achieve equity and justice in our communities

Women's Leadership

Women have always played an essential role in leading our firm. Alison Miller joined the firm in 1976 and became a name partner in 1985—at a time when few women lawyers were practicing in Florida, and even fewer held leadership roles in law firms. We now have more than 65 women attorneys, and several of them hold leadership roles on the firm’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Hiring Committee. Our women lawyers are also leaders in the community, frequently serving as officers and directors of various organizations and boards. 

As of March 2025, women attorneys in the firm account for:

  • Nearly 45% of Practice Group Chairs
  • Over 40% of Attorneys
  • Over 30% of Board of Directors members
  • Over 55% of promotions to Shareholder from 2021-2024

Community Impact

The firm provides significant annual financial, pro bono, and leadership support to professional and community organizations focused on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Community Impact

Diversity Committee Members

We have a thirteen-member Diversity Committee dedicated to maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative work environment across our firm’s five offices. The Committee meets throughout the year to implement and advance DEI efforts.

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