TMG's Take... on Diversity Officers
A perspective on legal management issues from The McCormick Group

Law firms have been struggling over the last 10 years to become more diverse institutions, with varying degrees of success. Under increasing scrutiny from clients, law firms have tried to grapple with the challenge in a variety of ways.

In the article “Law Firm Diversity Management: Migration to More Meaningful Models,” written for Professional Development Quarterly, TMG Principal Andi Cullins explores some of the ways in which firms have tried to address the issue. Firms have tried a number of vehicles, ranging from Diversity Associates and Diversity Committees to Diversity Partners, all of which have their drawbacks. What has emerged now is a Diversity Professional which invariably comes from outside the law firm, and often from outside the profession.

Going outside of the firm is often required to get the necessary background experience. Firms that decide not to reinvent the wheel, but to learn from those who have been successful in other venues, are more likely to find answers with real impact.

For a copy of the article, please contact Andi at (703) 841-1700, or acullins@tmg-dc.com.

TMG's Take is a regular e-mail advisory produced by The McCormick Group. The company's Law & Government Affairs and Law Firm Services groups combine the expertise of more than 15 Consultants to help law firms fulfill all of their lawyer and administrative recruiting needs. TMG's Take covers topics across the spectrum of law firm management, including associate and partner compensation, growth strategies, marketing and business development, operations and facilities management, finance and accounting, professional development, and technology. Please direct all inquiries to Steve Nelson, Managing Principal, at 703.841.1700 or snelson@tmg-dc.com.