February
For the 13th year in a row, we achieved a perfect score of 100 percent on the Corporate Equality Index, a U.S. national benchmarking survey and report which evaluates LGBTQ+-related policies to promote LGBTQ+ workplace equality, administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Named Among Best Places to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality, Earning Perfect Score for the 13th Consecutive Year
January
We are all Shearman & Sterling.
As a global law firm, diversity and inclusion are part of our fabric, interwoven in who we are and all we do. We are committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best and most diverse talent from around the globe to serve our clients with the insights, judgment and excellence that they expect from us. We know that the continued success of our firm, our people and our clients are inextricably bound, and require that we reflect the variety of perspectives and backgrounds represented in our ever more interdependent world.
Thank you for joining us in a momentous year for diversity and inclusion. Below please find an overview of our diversity and inclusion 2022 happenings
2022 TimeLine
April
To continue to support the global network of women lawyers at the firm, the first round of the Women Partner Mentoring Circles of 2022 facilitated 16 partners hosting circles with approximately 40 associate and counsel participants.
Facilitated the First Round of Women Partner Mentoring Circles
March
As part of our ongoing commitment, we published our UK gender pay gap, which highlights our progress, challenges and goals with respect to recruiting, advancing and retaining women in the workplace.
Reported Gender Pay Gap (UK)
May
In honor of Pride Month, we:
Celebrated Pride Month
June
July
Recognized Among “Best Law Firms to Work For” by Vault
The firm was ranked in the top 15 in Vault’s annual list of the top 50 “Best Law Firms to Work For.” Additionally, the firm was ranked in nearly 20 categories on the list in a range of workplace issues, demonstrating our commitment to diversity, quality of life, associate wellness and development and culture as evaluated by the firm’s associates.
Garreth Wong, Partner, International Arbitration, moderated this virtual discussion which celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the first of Pride in the U.K. and discussed how LGBTQ+ allies play an important role in achieving meaningful change. Panelists included Ike Osaki, General Counsel EMEA, Bank of America; Richard Price, Global General Counsel, Anglo American PLC; and Helena Potts, Partner, Financial Restructuring & Insolvency, Shearman & Sterling.
Celebrated 50 Years of Pride (UK)
August
To mark World Mental Health Day, our London office produced a webinar built to recognize the importance of creating a workplace culture where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential. This webinar explored the neuroscience behind how we create a positive workplace culture and provided practical tips to help individuals, teams and leaders contribute to a positive team culture that facilitates a safe environment to express ideas, ask questions, raise concerns or identify mistakes without fear. The speaker, Jake Lovelock, is a British Psychological Society (BPS) registered psychologist who works with professional athletes and corporations to provide training, coaching and psychotherapy.
Honored World Mental Health Day
September
October
November
December
We hosted a private virtual screening of the impactful documentary short, "Becoming Black Lawyers," in which five Black lawyers who attended predominately white law schools share their lived experiences and insights into the significance of Blackness in law school along with what it means to become a Black lawyer. In addition to the virtual screening, we hosted a live panel discussion featuring Harold Brantley, Jr., Vice President at Barclays; Lillian Tillman, Vice President, Investment Banking Legal at Barclays; and Derrick Lott, NY Mergers & Acquisitions Partner. The conversation was moderated by our Inclusion Network leader Erica Martin, BLAQUE co-chair.
Honored Black History Month (US)
Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.K. and Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. both fall in May, and the firm sponsored a virtual storytelling session featuring Geoff McDonald, former Global Vice President of Unilever. Lona Nallengara, Global Head of the Corporate Business Unit and a partner in the Capital Markets practice, facilitated the discussion.
Marked Mental Health Month (US) and Mental Health Awareness Week (UK)
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Timeline
Our Asian Attorneys for Community, Empowerment and Success (AACES) Inclusion Network hosted a fireside chat with Hannah Kim (CLO, CCO and Corporate Secretary, Neiman Marcus Group), Lola F. Lin (EVP, CLO and Corporate Secretary, Howmet Aerospace), Michael Tang (SVP, General Counsel and Secretary, Agilent Technologies), and Michael C. Wu (CLO, Bath & Body Works) about their careers. Shearman & Sterling Litigation associate Zhaohua (Josh) Huang introduced the distinguished panel and Natalie Kim (Counsel, Google) moderated a lively discussion.
Hosted Fireside Chat with Asian American General Counsels
In the U.K., February is LGBT History Month which provides education and insight into the issues that the LGBT+ community faces. We invited Nassib Abou-Khalil, Chief Legal Officer at Nokia and 2019 @OUTstanding LGBT+ Executives list for a fireside chat with International Arbitration Partner & Sterling Pride Sponsor, Garreth Wong, to discuss past, present and future within the diversity landscape and with respect to LGBT+ inclusion.
Celebrated LGBT+ History Month (UK)
To bring awareness to racial discrimination and in honor of this year's theme, "Youth Standing Up Against Racism," we invited Ronald Crutcher, a leader in academia, to join us for an engaging fireside chat which was moderated by Geline Midouin, Chief People Officer and Member of our Global Diversity & Inclusion Task Force.
Honored International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
To honor International Transgender Day of Visibility, we circulated a firm-wide educational communication that featured resources on how to support and learn from the transgender community.
Honoring International Transgender Day of Visibility
IFLR1000 named eight of Shearman & Sterling’s female partners on its Women Leaders 2021 list of highly-regarded lawyers worldwide. Women leaders were described as “the leading female transactional lawyers in the world” by the organization, and it was noted that these lawyers have impressive track records and are consistently recommended by clients and peers for the quality of their advice and service.
Featured in IFLR1000’s Women Leaders of 2022
Spotlight
Deep institutional inequalities were exposed in 2020, leaving wounds that will be difficult to heal. We are part of a profession that is, and must always be, about fighting for and upholding the rule of law and equal justice under the law. As a firm, we have taken collective action by talking about racism, bias and inclusion with the goal of learning how to interrupt bias and take steps to ensure a safer, more inclusive and equitable workplace and society. Black individuals and communities must be heard, appreciated, understood and given the resources and opportunities to flourish and thrive, and most fundamentally, to be safe.
This year was a time for dialogue and a renewed commitment to refocus our efforts. We decided to accelerate our existing programs and introduce a number of new initiatives to deliver further change within our firm and wider communities including:
Black Lives Matter and the Racial Justice Movement
We hosted Joanne Lee Molinaro, The Korean Vegan, in partnership with Morgan Stanley. Shearman & Sterling Partner Grace J. Lee and Cathy Tran, Executive Director at Morgan Stanley, engaged Joanne in conversation while Joanne cooked a delicious Korean vegan dish
Honored Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (US)
Shearman & Sterling has won "Best Early Talent Recruitment Campaign" for our BUILD Programme at this year's People in Law Awards. We were also highly commended for our Excellence in Equality and Inclusion submission and shortlisted in three other categories.
Winner of Best Early Talent Recruitment Campaign” for the BUILD Programme (UK)
Led by attorney Michelle Lopez, our second session of Inform to Transform was on Fostering Belonging. In this training, we empowered people with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate and contribute to inclusive, high-performing work environments. We shared specific examples of how barriers can limit inclusion and belonging and offered actions participants can take to (a) find evidence that they belong within their organization and (b) help create a sense of belonging for their colleagues.
Inform to Transform Series: Fostering Belonging
In honor of Juneteenth, we:
Commemorated Juneteenth (US)
Various educational and social events were held in partnership with the Inclusion Networks to infuse the summer associate experience with the importance of diversity and inclusion within a successful law firm environment.
Held D&I Programming for Summer Associates (US)
The firm hosted eight high school students, participants in the Legal Outreach or NJ LEEP programs, for a week-long, immersive learning experience on becoming a lawyer and the professional opportunities in the legal industry.
Hosted NJ LEEP and Legal Outreach Students
Our AACES and VALIANT Inclusion Networks co-hosted a fireside chat with Sam Khichi, the Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Public Policy, Regulatory Affairs and as the General Counsel at Becton, Dickinson and Company. Mr. Khichi worked at Shearman & Sterling from 1998-2003 on the mergers and acquisitions team. Lona Nallengara, Global Head of the Corporate Business Unit and a partner in the Capital Markets practice, facilitated the discussion.
Welcomed Back Alumnus Sam Khichi in a Fireside Chat
Following the success of our inaugural Black Undergraduate Internship & Lawyer Development (BUILD) internship, we are delighted to have welcomed a larger intake of eight fantastic students to the London Office for four weeks from July 5 until July 29. The program provided work experience for talented students from the Black community and connected students with supervisors and mentors who provided them with guidance during their time at the firm as well as ongoing mentoring following the completion of the internship.
BUILD Programme Continued (UK)
We sponsored incoming 1L students for a law school prep course to gain a meaningful advantage during their 1L year which positively impacts their competitive status during 2L recruiting. The firm doubled our impact in 2022 by sponsoring five additional scholars at Texas Southern University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law along with the five at Duke.
Sponsored the BARBRI Law Preview Scholarship
To open our Black History Month programme and in collaboration with our BLAQUE & RISE inclusion networks, we were delighted to host an inspirational conversation with David Olusoga OBE; British author, historian, presenter and BAFTA-winning filmmaker. Samuel Ogunlaja, Partner (Project Development & Finance, Abu Dhabi) and sponsor of our BLAQUE EMEA network, facilitated the discussion.
Celebrated Black History Month (UK)
The third round of the Women Partner Mentoring Circles facilitated 19 partners hosting circles with approximately 45 associate and counsel participants.
Facilitated the Third Round of Women Partner Mentoring Circles
Led by attorney Michelle Lopez, our third session of Inform to Transform was on Practicing Allyship. In this training, we learned that allyship is the continuous practice of advancing a culture of inclusion through intentional, positive and conscious actions that benefit others. This session equipped participants with a framework and tools to be an effective ally in the workplace through everyday interactions, in-the-moment interventions and ongoing advocacy.
Inform to Transform Series: Practicing Allyship
To support a pipeline to the legal industry for underrepresented communities, Shearman & Sterling became a sponsor of Thrive Scholars in 2021. The firm was named a Founding Partner, acts as a member of the organization’s Advisory Board and sponsors a cohort of four (4) Shearman & Sterling Thrive Scholars, motivated and talented low-income students of color who are interested in legal careers. Our cohort began this year and will be working with firm staff and leadership throughout the year.
Continued Partnership with Thrive Scholars (US)
We achieved Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification by surpassing a 30% women and diverse candidate threshold for various recruiting and firm leadership-related criteria. The "Plus" status recognizes that, in addition to meeting the basic certification requirement of candidate pools, the firm also achieved at least 30% diversity for those who ultimately have been appointed to various strategic leadership positions, promoted to partner, participated in formal pitch meetings and staffed on matters arising from client pitches.
We also confirmed the firm’s enrollment in Mansfield Rule 6.0 Certification.
Achieved Mansfield Certification 5.0 Plus (US)
Led by attorney Michelle Lopez, our final 2022 session of Inform to Transform was on Creating a Growth Mindset. In this training, we learned that a growth mindset believes that abilities and talents are malleable rather than fixed traits. Research shows that many of the qualities that make people effective at work—pushing yourself, taking risks, and staying resilient in the face of setbacks—are more common in people with a growth mindset. Teams with a growth mindset are also more inclusive and less influenced by bias.
Inform to Transform Series: Creating a Growth Mindset
As a result of the firm’s involvement in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s programs and promotion of the organization’s mission, we received the LCLD Compass Award. Support for LCLD included submission of the firm’s Leader Pledge, attendance at the Annual Meeting/Leadership Summit and participation in the Fellows and pipeline mentoring programs.
Received LCLD 2022 Compass Award
Inclusion Network Conference & Retreats
Fireside Chat with Michelle Kim
This fireside chat featured Michelle Kim, an expert in organizational change management, strategic goal setting, and social justice activism set the groundwork for Awaken's multidisciplinary and action-oriented learning programs.
Authenticity and Upward Mobility: Navigating the Leadership Pipeline
Dr. Robert Rodriguez talked about how career leadership pipelines work within corporate America, and how Latinx talent can prepare for upward mobility.
“You’re So Articulate!”: How Implicit Bias Can Dismantle Your Organization’s Professional Development and Diversity and Inclusion Goals with Ama Yawson
Ama utilized social science, current events, and role-playing to provide participants with a greater awareness of microaggressions while empowering participants to become cultural change agents within their organization.
Systemic Racism and Critical Race Theory with Professor Deborah N. Archer
This keynote session featured Deborah N. Archer, Jacob K. Javits Professor at New York University, and Associate Professor of Clinical Law; Co-Faculty Director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law; and Director of the Civil Rights Clinic at NYU School of Law. She is a nationally recognized expert in civil rights and racial justice and teaches and writes in the areas of racial justice, civil rights, and community equity
Fireside Chat with Fabrice Houdart
This fireside chat featured Fabrice Houdart, Managing Director for Global Equality Initiatives at Out Leadership. Fabrice spoke about the current global situation for LGBTI rights, the role of business in promoting human rights, and more generally the connections between business, development, and supporting LGBTI people around the world.
Powerful Presentation: In a Virtual World
During this session, attendees learned how to deliver successful presentations to an audience of one or one hundred. Nicole Wells outlined effective delivery, how to speak succinctly, clarify key messages, and keep presentations engaging.
Client Perspectives on Success, Leadership and Intersectionality
A panel discussion featured Kersti Hanson, Director and Assistant General Counsel, Bank of America Securities, Karin Kringen, Senior Counsel, Wells Fargo, So Young Lee, Director and Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Securities, and Jane Son, Director of Legal, Barclays
Aim High: Empowering Women in Leadership
This session featured Cara Hale Alter, author, founder and president of SpeechSkills. Using real-world examples and interactive exercises, this session examined the skill set necessary for women to embody and exude executive presence. Cara discussed the power of the “subtextual” conversation—body language, vocal patterns, and mannerisms that can raise or lower one’s status in the workplace. She also explored female- and male-identified communication rituals, and how to confront counterproductive culture clashes caused by differences in style and language.
Spotlight
Inclusion Network
Conference & Retreats
The firm is proud to have achieved Diversity Lab’s Mansfield 3.0 Certification status. Now entering its fourth iteration, the Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ and lawyers with disabilities for leadership, governance roles to boost the representation of women and diverse lawyers in law firm leadership and recruiting efforts.
Achieving Mansfield Certification was one of our five firmwide goals toward advancing our women and diverse professionals by 2023. To build on this momentum, we have also signed onto Mansfield 4.0 for 2021 and intend on doing so in subsequent years.
We remain steadfastly committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and safe environment for our people, our clients, and our local and global communities.
Firm Leadership Perspective on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Shearman
This conversation emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, touched on some of the firm's signature D&I programming and highlight how the firm has fostered a sense belonging.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Featuring Ellevate CEO Kristy Wallace and Shearman Partner Donna Parisi, the two discussed how you can grow and continue developing yourself through everyday improvements and a renewed focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and feedback.
Spotlight on Mentorship and Sponsorship at Shearman
Shearman Partners shared career advice and tips on how to seek and cultivate these relationships.
Inclusion Network Conference
The London office actioned items to work toward level two of the Disability Confident Employer Scheme, which encourages employers to improve disability inclusion in the workplace.
Also, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Partner James Webber supported the final session in the London office’s 2022 Disability Inclusion Program. The prevalence of disability in the workplace means that we regularly interact with and work alongside colleagues and clients with disabilities, and this session gave practical advice through "10 Top Tips" around how we can best support disability inclusion in the workplace.
Facilitated the Fourth Round of Women Partner Mentoring Circles
We launched our inaugural global Inclusion Network Conference and individual Inclusion Network Retreats to bolster the firm's inclusive culture, creating a platform for colleagues from around the world to connect with one another. The Inclusion Network Conference programming was open to a global audince and included:
The Black Attorney Reality: An Examination of the Factors that Support (and Frustrate) Success with Werten Bellamy
This session featured Werten Bellamy who offered an actionable framework for each Black attorney to confront their career with a set of strategies for achieving their full potential. This discussion examined some of the factors most crucial for success.
Mansfield Certification
Black Lives Matter
Support
Donating
Listening
Learning
Recognizing
Taking Action
On June 2, Senior Partner David Beveridge issued a statement in support of our colleagues, alumni, clients and communities, which is on our public website and has also been shared with clients. On behalf of the firm, he also co-signed the Partnership for New York City’s open letter with 190 other CEOs in support of programs to address racial injustice and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the city’s Black and minority communities. We wrote to Governor Cuomo and the leaders of the State Legislature with 30 other law firms to urge the repeal of Section 50-a of the state’s Civil Rights Law to allow for the public disclosure of police records relating to police misconduct. This was successful, and you can read more in the New York City Bar Association’s recent legislative report. We also joined the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance which utilizes the private bar resources of more than 140 firms to assist legal services organizations in furtherance of their missions to dismantle barriers to opportunity in communities of color.
We are continuing our charitable giving to support public service and social justice organizations, including: Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; NAACP-LDF; and Southern Poverty Law Center. Additionally, the firm launched a matching program where individual donations to these organizations will be matched for any amount up to $1,000.
We are hosting ongoing Open Forums as a safe space for our community to share candid and personal experiences.
We are delivering anti-racism, allyship and inclusive leadership educational seminars and resources.
Juneteenth, the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States, was observed as paid leave for all in the Americas and London on June 19, 2020. Juneteenth will be observed as an ongoing holiday in the Americas.
We are working to advance racial justice and economic equity among Black communities with social justice organizations including: NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; AALDEF; Latino Justice and the Innocence Project; and Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
David J. Beveridge
Chair, Senior Partner
Lisa Brill
Partner Member
Denise Grant
Partner Member
Marwa Elborai
Partner Member
Daniel Litowitz
Partner Member
Lorna Chen
Partner Member
Patrick Robbins
Partner Member
James Webber
Partner Member
Cody Wright
Partner Member
William Roll
Partner Member
Sandra Bang
Chief Diversity & Talent Strategy Officer
Task
Force
Put into place the tracking of considering at least 30% diverse (i.e., women, people of color, LGBTQ, disability) candidates in all senior lateral hiring decisions for lawyers and business services roles; leadership and governance roles; and internal partner promotions (i.e., Mansfield Certification)
Achieved at least 30% women and diverse lawyers in leadership roles at the firm including Executive Group, Policy Committee, Business Unit Leaders, Practice Group Leaders, and Regional Managing Partners
Accomplished
Firmwide D&I Business Goals
In 2020, we:
Welcomed over 200 attendees from around the globe at the inaugural Inclusion Network Conference
Hosted 17 Open Forum conversations with colleagues from the U.S. and London
Had 350+ participants in the global women mentoring circles
Received 100% score on HRC CEI for the 11th consecutive year
Many of our clients demanded action.
Read our response.
A letter from
David J. Beveridge
Inclusion Network Retreats
In addition to the firmwide Inclusion Network Conference, members of each Inclusion Network were invited to gather virtually for collective learning and community building through individual Inclusion Network Retreats. Some of the programs included:
AACES Retreat
Alianza Retreat
BE SEEN Retreat
BLAQUE Retreat
Sterling Pride Retreat
VALIANT Retreat
WISER Retreat
support
Donating
Listening
Learning
Recognizing
Taking action
During this session, Michelle discussed the roots of impostor syndrome and why high-performing professionals suffer self-doubt about their abilities, despite their demonstrated success in the workplace.
You Belong Here: How to Overcome Impostor Syndrome in the Workplace
This conversation emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, touched on some of the firm's signature D&I programming and highlight how the firm has fostered a sense belonging.
Firm Leadership Perspective on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Shearman
Featuring Ellevate CEO Kristy Wallace and Shearman Partner Donna Parisi, the two discussed how you can grow and continue developing yourself through everyday improvements and a renewed focus on mentorship, sponsorship, and feedback.
The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship
Shearman Partners shared career advice and tips on how to seek and cultivate these relationships. This session’s recording is now available as a two-part episode of our Barrier Blasters podcast series.
Spotlight on Mentorship and Sponsorship at Shearman
As part of our firmwide Women's Initiatives and in partnership with the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society, the firm took part in an inspirational panel discussion featuring Women’s Forum’s Managing Director, Audrey Tcherkoff. This engaging discussion was moderated by Mariyam Hassan (Head of HR, Inclusion & Wellbeing), and introductory remarks were provided by Matthew Readings (Global Antitrust Practice Group Leader and Head of the London and Brussels Offices.) Panelists included Shearman partners Sanja Udovicic (Project Development & Finance, London); Lorna Chen (Asia Regional Managing Partner, Head of Greater China and a member of the firm’s Executive Group, Hong Kong); and Jennifer Younan (International Arbitration and Public International Law, Paris).
As part of our ongoing commitment to collect diversity data for our workforce, we launched our annual diversity survey in the London office and had a 90% participation rate. To see our data, please click here.
Launched Annual Diversity Survey (UK)
Partnered with Women’s Forum
The second round of the Women Partner Mentoring Circles facilitated 22 partners hosting circles with approximately 38 associate and counsel participants.
Facilitated the Second Round of Women Partner Mentoring Circles
As part of our ongoing commitment, we participated in a legal sector initiative to analyze our historical data with respect to recruiting, retaining and advancing partners and employees from ethnically-diverse backgrounds, to better understand our workforce demographics and employee experiences. This enabled us to set a roadmap for improvement, including the launch of the inaugural Black Undergraduate Internship & Lawyer Development (B.U.I.L.D) initiative in 2021.
Participated in Ethnicity Data Benchmarking and Analysis (UK)
We launched our broader ethnicity network, Race, Inclusion & Shearman Ethnicity (RISE), with partner sponsor Garreth Wong. RISE seeks to cultivate a community of empowerment, support and success for our ethnically diverse lawyers and business services professionals.
RISE Inclusion Network Launch
Circulated a firm-wide educational newsletter that featured resources on gender equity and women’s rights and highlighted the firm’s Women’s Initiatives.
Celebrated Women’s History Month (US) & International Women's Day
Partnered with Barclays for a virtual discussion of the state of LGBTQ+ Civil Rights in the United States with Glenn Magpantay, the Executive Director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), an organization that works at the intersections of LGBTQ+ equality, racial justice and immigrant rights.
Welcomed Mr. Aloha, Esera Tuaolo, retired NFL player singer, author and chef to speak about his experience as a gay man in the hyper-masculine culture of professional football, how coming out saved his life and how he lives his true authentic self every single day.
Circulated communication in honor of Women’s Equality Day in the U.S., facilitating firmwide education and resources on the gender pay gap and how to better include women in the workplace.
Celebrated Women’s Equality Day (US)
Partners Kris Ferranti and Daniel Tristan spearheaded the firm’s partnership with UPWARD Men to provide the first two sessions of the Inclusive Male Leadership Program, a series that creates opportunities, provides resources and shares best practices for male leaders and organizations to be successful through the mentorship, sponsorship and allyship of women.
Inclusive Male Leadership Program Begins
In honor of Veterans Day in the U.S., the firm welcomed back alumnus Bob Woodruff, who is largely known for his work as an ABC News anchor and correspondent who has worked extensively in war zones. Woodruff also founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation (BWF) to raise money to assist injured service members, veterans and their families. He was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Award through his work with the Woodruff Foundation. Partner Adam B. Schwartz facilitated the discussion
Commemorating Veterans Day with Fireside Chat with Bob Woodruff (US)
The firm invited Sean A. Carter to present his program, “I Think Therefore I Am Biased: How the Natural Tendency to Form Biases Manifests Itself in the Legal Profession,” at the firm. The presentation used videos and other examples to show participants just how easy it is to form these biases, how they manifest themselves in the way we treat clients, colleagues and opposing parties and, most importantly, how we can reduce the effect of these biases by recognizing and compensating for them.
I Think Therefore I Am Biased CLE Program
To continue to support the global network of women lawyers at the firm, we facilitated the third round of the Women Partner Mentoring Circles with 10 partner-hosted circles serving approximately 60 associates and counsel.
To mark the first session of 2022 of Shearman & Sterling LLP’s quarterly anti-bias training series aimed towards bringing awareness to biases, both unconscious and conscious, and providing actionable steps to mitigate them, the firm invited Marcel Byrd to discuss managing unconscious bias. Unconscious bias is a significant barrier that can stand in the way, undermining effective decision-making, inclusive team dynamics and career growth. By recognizing and managing unconscious bias, this training promotes more equitable decisions, more productive teams and a more inclusive organizational culture.
Inform to Transform Series: Managing Unconscious Bias
Observed Juneteenth as a holiday for all U.S. offices and circulated a firm-wide educational communication that featured resources to learn more about the generational impact of racism, the meaning of Juneteenth and opportunities for civic and community engagement.
Sponsored “Artifacts and Images of America: Honoring Juneteenth with the African American Collections.” The firm's Inclusion Network, BE SEEN (Black Employees at Shearman for Equity, Empowerment and Networking) welcomed Jeffrey A. Fletcher, the owner and collector of the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum (African American Collections), to share insights into the museum's collection, "Images of America, Challenges of the Badge." As a sponsor of the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher Museum, this project is close to the hearts of the Shearman & Sterling family.
In celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month, Alianza, Shearman's Inclusion Network for attorneys of Latin American, Iberian or Hispanic heritage or interest, hosted a virtual conversation with Olympic Champion Laurie Hernandez. Manuel Orillac, Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions Partner, facilitated.
Celebrated Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month (US)
Circulated communication in honor of Bisexual Visibility Day in the U.S., facilitating firmwide that featured resources on the challenges faced by and how to support the bisexual community.
Celebrated Bisexual Visibility Day (US)
The London office hosted its annual Women in Law conference, which provided opportunities for lawyers of all genders to come together to discuss the challenges facing women in today’s legal industry and the ways to support each other to overcome these hurdles.
Hosted Annual Women in Law Conference (UK)
The London office hosted a WISER-led roundtable discussion for all lawyers to facilitate discussion on the practical realities of returning to work after parental leave, including the impact on utilization and balancing work with childcare.
Working Families Inclusion (UK)
2022 | Year In ReView
