Diversity
Diversity and inclusion at Smith Anderson means celebrating the variety of experiences and backgrounds that strengthen our firm culture, while reflecting the communities and clients we collaborate with. As a law firm with a significant public profile, we recognize that we play a pivotal role as a voice of change and influence, and work with intention to ensure that we are making consistent, action-oriented contributions that advance D&I within our firm, the legal profession and the business and local communities that we are so proud to serve.
Awards and Recognition
We are honored that Smith Anderson’s commitments to D&I have been publicly acknowledged with several awards and recognitions. Triangle Business Journal named our firm one of its 2022 Leaders in Diversity award winners and named Management Committee Chair Amy Batten and Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chair Sharita Whitaker to its 2022 and 2023 classes of Women in Business list, respectively. Consulting firm The Diversity Movement honored Smith Anderson as one of five East Coast law firms that "do it right" in leading and advancing diversity and inclusion, not just in the legal profession, but throughout the community. Smith Anderson also received the Wake County Bar Association’s inaugural Equity Champion award and the Diversity & Inclusion award from North Carolina and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.
Actionable Commitments
We challenge ourselves to not only “talk the talk,” but to demonstrate actionable commitments to D&I as a pillar of our strategic plan and through firm policies. A few key highlights of these efforts include:
- Maintaining a Diversity and Inclusion Committee, consisting of both partners and associates that is co-chaired by diverse lawyers, both women, one Black and the other part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Retaining a Chief Diversity Officer to help create and implement the firm’s D&I programs, policies and strategic plans.
- Offering an Excellence in Diversity 1L Fellowship program for first-year law school students who have demonstrated their commitment to make a positive contribution toward diversity and inclusion.
- Partnering with the corporate legal departments of businesses in Raleigh, Durham and Research Triangle Park to provide mentoring and networking opportunities for our diverse lawyers.
- Maintaining affinity groups for women and diverse lawyers, with a focus on mentoring and networking.
- Supporting, recruiting and hiring from minority job fairs.
- Creating a Diversity Mentor Program that pairs associates of diverse backgrounds with partner mentors to foster a sense of belonging and assist associates navigating the path to firm partnership.
- Serving on the Minorities in the Profession Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Division Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Adelante! Moving Forward Program.
- Sponsoring diversity and inclusion conferences, including the North Carolina Chamber’s Women: A Force in Business conference, the Chamber's Diversity & Inclusion conference, and NC Tech's Diversity + Inclusion Summit.
- Hosting women and diverse in-house counsel events to connect, support and facilitate the growth of women and diverse lawyers.
- Supporting NFP organizations whose missions are rooted in D&I principles.
There is much more work that needs to be done on this front by the business community at large, and, for our part, we continuously work to be intentional in all of the decisions we make to ensure that D&I is considered at every turn.
Mansfield Certification Plus
In September of 2021, Smith Anderson joined the 2021-2023 Midsize Law Firm class of the Mansfield Rule, a program that empowers law firm’s efforts to recruit, retain and promote an even more diverse team of attorneys. The Mansfield Rule aims to boost diversity in leadership by broadening the pool of talent through “consideration goals” – not quotas – for leadership roles, hiring and business development opportunities.
Smith Anderson not only met 100% of the applicable categories for base Mansfield certification, but also met and surpassed 60% of the Mansfield Rule’s “Diversity Milestones,” achieving Mansfield Certified Plus status. We are extremely proud of this milestone and will continue to work to meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of this certification.
Hear from our people in the video below on their perspectives on diversity at Smith Anderson and our commitment to cultivating a workplace where everyone is respected and valued.
Press ReleaseSmith Anderson Achieves Mansfield Certification Plus for its D&I Initiatives
NewsSmith Anderson Awards 2023 1L Excellence in Diversity Fellowship to Duke University School of Law Student
QuotedNorth Carolina Lawyers Weekly Quotes Smith Anderson Attorney Caryn Coppedge McNeill on Women’s Progress Up the Legal Ladder
RecognitionTriangle Business Journal Names Sharita Whitaker a 2023 Women in Business Award Winner
"The lawyers are incredibly responsive, acutely aware of the urgency of matters and never fail to deliver. They understand not only our business but also our culture and team dynamics."
Client quotation as published in Chambers USA"The team provides top-end talent, experience and quality of work."
Client quotation as published in Chambers USA"Their work is excellent. The timing, responsiveness, negotiation quality, personality, thoroughness and cost management are all beyond expectations."
Client quotation as published in Chambers USA
- Diversity & Inclusion
Smith Anderson embraces the differences that make us unique and is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive law firm. Diversity and inclusion at Smith Anderson means celebrating the variety of experiences and backgrounds that make for a stronger internal culture, while better reflecting the communities and clients we serve. As a firm, we encourage all employees to contribute their unique perspectives and capabilities to achieve superior results for our clients.
