Diversity and Inclusion

dentons.com Diversity and Inclusion At the core of our practice 2 dentons.com Diversity and Inclusion: at the core of our practice Without a single headquarters or a dominant national culture in more than 75 locations around the world, Dentons is a multinational, multicultural and polycentric firm committed to challenging the status quo. Diversity and “At Dentons, inclusion are longstanding core values of the Firm and are driving principles behind Dentons’ vision and strategy: to provide clients inventive, sophisticated our commitment solutions, while sustaining a rich and vibrant workplace and promoting positive social change. to diversity and Dentons truly reflects the diversity of our clients and of the communities in inclusion is more which we work and live. Harnessing the unique perspectives of our people across our global network is a business imperative. than a core value. We draw on the talents and insights of our people to provide clients local It is an integral knowledge coupled with sector experience in every legal tradition in the world. We know the business of our clients and offer them a choice of law part of our most compatible to the regions in which they operate. Connecting you to high-quality lawyers and legal services wherever you do business in the business strategy.” world reflects how Dentons is adapting to the evolving needs of our clients. Elliott I. Portnoy Dentons strives to foster a flexible environment where everyone respects, Global Chief Executive Officer supports and learns from our collective skills, talents and differences. By attracting, supporting, promoting and retaining individuals from all backgrounds, where we respect race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, abilities, social perspective and other characteristics, the Firm creates a dynamic and inclusive work environment that contributes to our success. dentons.com 1 2 dentons.com Dentons US commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Driving diversity in our Firm and communities Dentons was awarded Dentons takes an active approach to fostering diversity through a variety a perfect score in the of internal and external programs. Within the Firm, Dentons has launched Human Rights Campaign impactful initiatives that support, develop and retain lawyers of all backgrounds. Through partnerships with local organizations and progressive business Foundation’s Corporate policies, Dentons promotes diversity in the Firm’s communities and lays the Equality Index 2014 groundwork for the next generation of lawyers. survey for a second consecutive year, recognizing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee Firm’s demonstrated The US Diversity and Inclusion Committee guides the US region’s diversity commitment to LGBT and inclusion policies. The committee is comprised of Dentons leaders based equality and inclusion. in offices across the country, representing a spectrum of backgrounds and experiences. In fulfilling the Firm’s mission to uphold, deepen and expand efforts to lead the legal industry in diversity, the committee focuses on four main areas: “A safe environment Culture Fostering and enhancing a welcoming environment; that fosters diversity of thought and experiences Engagement Involving the energies, input and participation of individuals across the Firm; is essential to how we are successful in our Clients Supporting clients’ prioritization of diversity and inclusion in the law firms that relationships with our serve them, and setting measures and objectives to track progress; clients and each other.” Structural Steven Velkei Emphasizing diversity as a main consideration in all aspects of the Firm’s business, Partner and US Diversity and including in the ways we attract, welcome, develop and transition individuals. Inclusion Chair dentons.com 3 Women’s Leadership and Growth Network The US Women’s Leadership and Growth Network (WLGN) supports and builds the success of women in the Firm and in the legal profession. Through business development planning programs, networking events, mentoring circles and “Dentons is laser-focused on client events, the WLGN creates opportunities for women to reach the top levels of their respective fields and to influence the business of tomorrow. improving the professional development of women in the Firm to create a WLGN committee members community that attracts, develops and inspires • Atlanta: Summer Martin • Chicago: Jana Cohen Barbe, Mary Ann Hynes, women business leaders.” Katherine Mellon, Natalie Spears, Mary Wilson Natalie Spears • Dallas: Peg Donahue Hall Partner and Chair of Dentons’ Women’s Leadership and • Kansas City: Lisa Krigsten, Julia Taylor Growth Network • Los Angeles: Elizabeth Foster • New York: Maria Livanos, Michelle Shapiro • Phoenix: Meghan Cocci • San Francisco: Kara Baysinger For the second year in a • St. Louis: Karen Jordan, Jenny Marler row, the Firm received Gold • Washington, DC: Emma Hand, Sydney McNiff Johnson, Standard Certification Marci Levine, Janice Ziegler from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF), a designation given WLGN Charter: At the Cutting EDGE only to a select group of • Engaging leaders of today and tomorrow law firms that objectively • Diversifying perspectives through all interactions demonstrate the progress of • Growing business and networking opportunities women across key criteria. • Enhancing the opportunities for women to advance and succe 4 dentons.com Promoting diversity in the profession 1L “Head Start” support, principally through the active involvement of Errol The Firm holds annual training programs for incoming Stone, our former firmwide managing partner. Furthermore, first-year law students at Washington School of Law our lawyers, professionals and staff have volunteered as in St. Louis and Northwestern University Law School in tutors, taught via the Lawyers in the Classroom program, Chicago. The programs give a diversity of students a mentored via the Spark program, conducted mock high “head start” by preparing them for the rigors of law school. school interviews, painted classrooms, contributed to the annual holiday gifts fundraiser, shared hobbies (such as chess, quilting and guitar) and acted as judges at events Diversity Scholarship Program such as Science Exploration Day. Dentons is one of the sponsors of the California Bar Foundation’s Diversity Scholarship, which helps support Internal events and programs first-year California law students with the goal of expanding the pipeline of racial and ethnic minorities entering the Our US Diversity and Inclusion Committee is committed legal profession. to raising diversity and inclusion awareness through our internal events and programs. Our Speaker Series program features prominent leaders in the community who present Supplier Diversity Program on various diversity topics. These events are open to all Dentons was one of the first law firms to consider diversity US attorneys, professionals, business services staff and in its purchasing policy. As part of our effort to further clients. Our Speaker Series program kicked off in the Los economic opportunities for businesses that are owned and Angeles office in celebration of Asian-Pacific American operated by minorities, women, LGBT individuals and the Heritage Month. Our presenter, Frank H. Wu, Chancellor physically challenged, we require many of our vendors to and Dean of the University of California-Hastings School of submit a Vendor Diversity Form. Law, gave an engaging presentation on issues of race as they affect Asian-Americans, and about civil rights issues Legacy Charter School more broadly. In celebration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Believing that a high-quality education is key to breaking Transgender Pride Month, our New York office hosted the cycle of poverty and empowering people to lead a discussion with Evan Wolfson, a prominent civil rights fulfilling lives, the Firm founded Legacy Charter School attorney and the founder and president of Freedom to in 2005. Legacy is a public charter school educating 500 Marry. Named one of “the 100 most influential people in the scholars in pre-kindergarten through grade eight in North world” by Time magazine, Evan is a nationally recognized Lawndale, an inner-city Chicago neighborhood. Ninety- leader of the freedom to marry movement. He is the nine percent of Legacy’s scholars are students of color, author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and almost entirely African American, and ninety-four percent Gay People’s Right to Marry and has been dubbed “the are low income. In addition to providing funds and in-kind godfather of gay marriage” by Newsweek/The Daily Beast. contributions, such as technology and furniture, Dentons Our US offices will continue to host engaging discussions offers extensive operational support, such as accounting with diversity leaders as we continue to celebrate our and check-writing. We also lend substantial management differences, enhance the quality of life for all our colleagues and strengthen what we can accomplish as a firm. dentons.com 5 Courageous Counsel Dentons seeks to not only improve women’s advancement within the Firm, but also to meaningfully contribute to the public dialogue and improve the The Diversity resources available to current and prospective female lawyers in their careers. In 2011, San Francisco Insurance chair Kara Baysinger co-authored Courageous and Flexibility Counsel: Conversations with Women General Counsel in the Fortune 500 with Michele Coleman Mayes, former executive vice president and general counsel Alliance

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