Fox Rothschild issued the following annoucement on Oct. 27.
Fox Rothschild is pleased to announce that as part of its ongoing efforts to promote a diverse workforce and an inclusive environment, the firm is offering its attorneys credit for up 50 billable hours per fiscal year for activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Fox Rothschild is committed to fostering an inclusive environment,” said Kimberly Gatling, the firm’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. “We believe that providing superior client service depends on our ability to draw on the insights and experience of attorneys from diverse backgrounds. Providing these credits will allow our attorneys to take part in professional development opportunities and serve in volunteer positions that advance diversity, equity and inclusion internally, within the profession and in the communities where we live and work.”
Fox’s DEI credit program allows attorneys to earn billable hours for a wide range of DEI-related activities, including participating in mentorship and sponsorship programs, presenting or writing articles on DEI-focused topics, leading or organizing community events or initiatives and serving in leadership roles with a DEI organization.
The firm’s policy extends to participation with outside organizations and time spent serving on internal workgroups such as the Diversity Committee, LGBTQ+A Initiative or Women’s Initiative. Credit is also available for attorneys participating in diversity-related recruitment and retention efforts and is in addition to billable hours credits that are available for pro bono work.
Demonstrating its core values of advancing diversity and inclusion at the firm, Fox has also joined Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 5.0, which aims to boost the representation of diverse lawyers in law firm leadership and governance roles by broadening the pool of candidates considered for those opportunities.
Through participating in this program, Fox will ensure that at least 30 percent of those considered for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities and senior lateral positions are women, lawyers of color, LGBTQ+ lawyers and lawyers with disabilities.
The firm has also adopted the Inclusion Blueprint, a first-of-its-kind tool created by Diversity Lab and ChIPs, to measure inclusion actions at both the leadership and practice group levels to ensure that historically underrepresented lawyers have equal access to quality work, influential sponsors and clients, as well as other opportunities.
Original source can be found here.