Diversity is an essential component of Shook, Hardy & Bacon's vision statement, which provides, in part that SHB is deeply passionate about sustaining "a diverse environment where everyone is respected, feels appreciated and experiences fulfillment and enjoyment through meaningful contributions." The firm's equal opportunity policy explicitly bars discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, and domestic partner benefits apply to same-sex relationships. Please click here to view the firm's Diversity Annual Report for 2011.
SHB works with clients to make significant progress in the recruitment and advancement of attorneys from diverse backgrounds. The firm is actively involved with the Minority Corporate Counsel Association and is a supporter of “A Call to Action: Diversity in the Legal Profession." SHB is also a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, national organizations dedicated to improving diversity and inclusion in the legal arena. To view the SHB Diversity At-A-Glance Brochure, please click here. To read more about LGBT Initiatives at SHB, please click here.
Law School Workshops - SHB partners with student organizations such as the National Black Law Students Association on programs that offer practical advice on improving resumes and interviewing skills.
Minority Job Fair Recruiting - SHB recruits at such events across the nation, including the Heartland Diversity Job Fair, DuPont Minority Job Fair, Lavender Law Job Fair, Cook County Minority Job Fair, and Southeastern Minority Job Fair.
Women's Management Council - This proactive group of SHB women partners serves as a catalyst for programs targeting the unique challenges facing women practitioners. To read more about the distinguished women attorneys of SHB, please click here.
Educational Programming - SHB's Diversity & Inclusion Committee spearheads diversity-themed presentations throughout the year for attorneys and staff.
The 2011 Diversity Retreat featured sessions moderated by Stakeholder 100 founder Werten Bellamy, roundtable discussions led by diverse SHB partners on such topics as rainmaking and adding value for in-house counsel, and a distinguished panel of diverse corporate counsel who engaged in a "candid conversation" with retreat participants.
Diversity Checklist - SHB requires each attorney to personally commit to diversity as a core value. To help achieve our diversity goals, all attorneys are required to complete five to 10 diversity commitment action items from the firm’s award-winning Diversity Checklist as part of the annual evaluation and compensation process. Diversity awareness training for staff will soon include a similar checklist.
SHB Accolades
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) has recognized SHB for its outstanding diversity program by awarding the Thomas L. Sager Award to the firm in 2001, 2002 and 2010. In 2004, the Jackson County Bar Association honored SHB with its inaugural Pyramid of Diversity Award for supporting diversity in Kansas City through recruiting, retention and promotion policies, as well as through partnerships with organizations that share the same goal.
SHB San Francisco received the No Glass Ceiling Award in 2005 from the Bar Association of San Francisco for exceeding the signatory law firms' goal of having at least 25 percent women in partnership positions and at least 25 percent women in management positions within two years. In 2006, SHB was awarded the annual DRI Law Firm Diversity Award from the Defense Research Institute for the firm’s demonstrated commitment to diversity in policies, practices and civic contributions. The Coca-Cola Co. in 2008 presented SHB with its Living the Values Award in recognition of the firm’s progressive diversity practices. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation awarded SHB the top rating of 100 percent in its 2013 Corporate Equality Index, naming the firm to its list of “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” Altria awarded SHB its inaugural Law Department Diversity and Inclusion Award in April 2010 to recognize the firm’s commitment to diversity in the legal profession.
SHB’s commitment to diversity has been lauded in national publications. Working Mother and Flex-Time Lawyers noted SHB among "Best Law Firms for Women" in 2011. MultiCultural Law magazine in 2012 ranked SHB 78th in its “Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity.” The firm ranked 29th in the magazine’s “Top 100 Law Firms for Women” and 18th in the “Top 50 Law Firms for Partners” listings. The Daily Business Review ranked SHB among the ”Top 25 Most Diverse Law Firms in South Florida” in January 2010.
The 2013 edition of the Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms ranked SHB 6th in Overall Diversity, 6th in Diversity for Women and 3rd in Diversity for Minorities. Vault compiled its rankings based on data from anonymous surveys of law firm associates across the United States.
The firm’s diversity initiatives have also been highlighted in The American Lawyer (February 2009), Diversity & The Bar (January/February 2010), Diversity & The Bar (December 2010), and The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel (March 2012).
SHB Director of Strategic Diversity Initiatives
Koriambanya (Kori) Carew 816-559-4071 
SHB Diversity & Inclusion Committee
John A. Turner III
Jennifer M. Voss
Marie S. Woodbury
William A. Yoder
Barbara Amos (Director, Human Resources)
Mary Boyd (Marketing Manager)
Kori Carew (Director, Strategic Diversity Initiatives)
Mary Chesser (Director, Learning & Development)
Colleen Liesmann (Director, Legal Recruiting)
Kendra Mosley Ayuk (Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator)
Vaveca Moss (Director, Employee Relations)
