Why My Company Hires Diverse Law Firms

The thirst for new business was palpable as private practice attorneys gathered 27 May 2009 to learn the perspectives of three in-house panelists on issues of diversity and business development in law firms. The Recorder's Annual Diversity Roundtable hosted panelists Sheldon Quan of Clorox, Tracy Preston of Levi Strauss, James Carroll of Matsunichi and was moderated by Richard Amador of Sanchez & Amador.
In summary, the panelists are looking for improved communications and relationships between with their outside firms. James Carroll suggested that private practice attorneys stay in touch with their clients even when nothing is happening. When asked about their feelings on flexible work schedules (new parents, work/life balance) all 3 panelists were strongly in favor. The only caution: let us know who is going to be out when so that we aren't waiting for a response and can call the person's back-up.
Networking is essential for business development. The panel many times suggested that partners should bring a minority associate along to events to make introductions. This also alerts clients to your firm's diversity commitment and gives the associate an opportunity to form relationships. Make sure that the young lawyers that accompany you on appointments and to events are are able to field questions about the firm.

Suggested Resources:

• Corporate Connections a "speed-dating" event hosted at the California Minority Counsel Program's Annual Business Conference
• Vault/MCCA Law Firm Diversity Database- standardized diversity metrics
• ACC Value Challenge- A national dialog about the need to reconnect value to costs, especially within the law firm community, with a common language and framework that ACC will have helped define.