Diversity Matters Spring 2008 Diversity Matters Valuing Race and Gender the Diversity Newsletter of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
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This is an advertisement. Diversity Matters Spring 2008 Diversity Matters Valuing Race and Gender The Diversity Newsletter of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Spotlight on Robert Tom Fall 2011 Steven King, Memphis, 901.577.8229, [email protected] lthough born in Dallas, Texas, actions. Meanwhile, Margaret, who is a ARobert Tom traces his roots back to child psychiatrist, is currently working China, the homeland of both his maternal on a fellowship at the University of and paternal grandparents. After coming Tennessee which she expects to complete to the U.S., his paternal grandparents in July 2012. settled in Arcola, Mississippi, where they One of Robert’s most successful had a small grocery store, while his cases came through his representation maternal grandparents lived in Helena, of The Board of Education of the Arkansas, where they also had a small Memphis City Schools. In that case, The grocery store. The oldest of three Board was sued by a bus contractor boys, Robert was raised in Memphis, who claimed $4.5 million in damages Robert Tom Tennessee. After graduating from resulting from wrongful termination of have an innate passion for the law. Memphis University School, he moved a contract. Robert, in conjunction with Outside of the office, Robert can be to Atlanta, Georgia to attend college Bruce McMullen and other attorneys found working out, playing basketball for at Emory University. Then, it was on from the Memphis office, tried the case the firm’s lawyer-league team and fishing. to law school at Tulane University in before a Shelby County jury in 2010. In New Orleans. Upon graduation from less than two hours, the jury returned law school in 2004, Robert relocated a verdict in favor of the Board, and KUDOS EARNED BY BAKER DONELSON again to join a full-service firm in Tampa, the opposing bus contractor recovered • Ranked 50th on FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Florida, where he practiced in the area nothing. Robert’s tireless advocacy was Companies to Work For” in 2011 of commercial litigation with a focus on critical to the successful representation. • Ranked in the Top 20 law firms nationally by Vault, banking litigation. In the five years since he began Inc in the categories of firm culture, hours, formal In 2007, Robert accepted a job in working at Baker Donelson, Robert has training, satisfaction and informal training Baker Donelson’s Memphis office. So served as a role model and mentor for • Ranked in the “Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity” by Multicultural Law Magazine since 2005 he returned home, bringing with him his other attorneys, both diverse and non- • Ranked in the “Top 25 Law Firms for African-Ameri- wife Margaret, a physician, whom he had diverse. cans” by Multicultural Law Magazine 2011 known since college and married while Robert is Chair of the Associate • Ranked in the “Top 100 Law Firms for Women” by in Florida. At Baker Donelson, Robert Advisory Board at Baker Donelson Multicultural Law Magazine since 2008 has focused his practice on commercial and serves on the Memphis Recruiting • Nashville office named “Best Place to Work” by litigation with an emphasis on financial Committee. Robert is Secretary to the Nashville Business Journal services litigation. His practice involves Tennessee Asian Pacific Bar Association. • Birmingham office named “Best Place to Work” by Birmingham Business Journal defending financial institutions and Robert’s commitment to the legal • Memphis office named “Best Place to Work” by other businesses, handling business profession, which is evident in his active Memphis Business Journal litigation cases centered on contract leadership and service, is attributable to • Jackson office named “Best Place to Work” by Missis- disputes, representing the creditors’ his drive and dedication, but it may also sippi Business Journal rights of both special servicers and have some genetic basis. With an aunt, • Earned a score of 85 in the Human Rights Campaign’s financial institutions, and defending uncle and brother who also are attorneys, Corporate Equality Index 2012 actions involving business torts and class Robert comes from a family that seems to 1 Diversity Matters Fall 2011 Baker Donelson’s Commitment to Respect and Fairness for All Natalie Bolling, Birmingham, 205.244.3802, [email protected] aker Donelson recently rolled out a new aspect of its experiences and beliefs. By valuing the individual, we are Bdiversity training program in each of its offices across stronger as a whole. I am thankful to be a part of such a strong the Southeast and Washington, DC, which focuses on Gay, team.” Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (“GLBT”) issues. This Damany Ransom, an associate in Baker Donelson’s training fosters an increased awareness of the GLBT community Atlanta office said: “I was well pleased with the Firm’s roll and the important business reasons for companies to commit out of the GLBT training. GLBT issues are often overlooked, to GLBT employee equality. This effort is certainly not meant and the roll out demonstrates a true commitment from to force any personal values or beliefs on anyone. Rather, the senior management to create an inclusive corporate culture. ultimate goal is to enhance communication between GLBT It is extremely helpful to discuss various GLBT issues, and to and non-GLBT employees and the clients we serve. evaluate and dispel myths and stereotypes about those who Baker Donelson’s GLBT training is a complement to identify GLBT.” other existing tangible benefits Baker Donelson offers to Baker Donelson does not work hard to maintain an its employees who identify as GLBT. Specifically, Baker inclusive working environment for the accolades. Baker Donelson offers health, vision and dental benefit options to Donelson does it because it is necessary and important to the employees’ domestic partners/spouses. The typical benefit continued success of the firm as a whole, to the individual structure includes coverage for the employee, their opposite- employees, and to the first-class client service Baker Donelson sex spouse and their children. A “spouse,” for purposes of strives to provide. It is axiomatic that employees who are benefit coverage with Baker Donelson, includes a domestic happy and secure in their jobs, and who do not spend time partner, who is generally defined as an individual of the same hiding who they are for fear of reprisal, perform their jobs sex and in a committed relationship with his or her partner/ better and more efficiently. Realizing and working towards employee who meets other eligibility requirements of the an environment where diversity is embraced is the most plan. Moreover, once a person qualifies as a domestic partner important step towards that end goal. of an employee, any children of that domestic partner can also be covered under Baker Donelson’s various benefit plans. These types of benefits are not offered by all companies. Our Non-Discrimination Policy Sara Turner, a new Shareholder in the Birmingham office commented: At Baker Donelson, we strive to create a welcoming “Moving to Alabama from Minnesota was a big change in and inclusive environment for all our employees. many ways, but I feel very fortunate to have joined a firm that We welcome people of all races, genders, ages, shares the values of inclusion and equality that I feel strongly languages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, about. While no place is perfect, Baker Donelson works hard to get close. I have seen the ongoing inclusion training serve disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identity, as a mechanism to open dialog about issues that are important marital status and religious beliefs, to assist our to our firm, employees and clients. This dialog has been clients in achieving their legal goals. We understand instrumental in bridging gaps and fostering an environment and salute the unique perspectives and approaches that is more than tolerant of diversity - one that seeks to that are provided by differences in educational embrace it.” Sara is not the only person who feels so strongly about background, socio-economic background, the importance of Baker Donelson’s most recent efforts. personality profile, geographic location, job duties, Jenna Bedsole, a recent lateral to Birmingham’s Labor & and marital and family status. Employment Department, shares: “Diversity training is important to emphasize that no two people are the same - each brings different viewpoints, continued next page 2 Diversity Matters Fall 2011 A Fraiche Perspective Donna D. Fraiche, Chair, Women’s Initiative, New Orleans, 504.566.5201, [email protected] he Women’s Initiative at Baker Teri could, perhaps should, write a “how to” book with TDonelson is a concerted effort lessons for leadership for aspiring women. Her practical to help advance women in our Firm. and spot-on suggestions were enthusiastically received by Among the many events, programs participants from each office, who both complimented Teri’s and committees is BakerReads, a achievements and focused on trying to fathom how she was book club, brown-bag, lunch-time able to balance family and a successful corporate ladder-climb. chat of sorts which brings together Teri provided tips about the importance of excelling not only Teri Fontenot nearly 200 women by open invitation at the job you are given, but also for the jobs to which you from each office to share observations, reading a pre-chosen really want to ascend. She suggested that women and men book, usually on the topic of women in leadership. Chaired who also want to succeed need to out-work, out-produce and by Courtney Gilmer, who recently advanced to Shareholder, out-result their peers. It also helps to dress for the job you these quarterly video conferences have become as inspired as want. She believes strongly in mentoring others and building Oprah’s book clubs.