Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day.
I think the question is less about how committed most law firms are to diversity and inclusion and more so how they frame their views and what words they use when talking about it internally and externally. Yes, we may see law firms tone down how and the extent to which they market commitment to diversity. In general, most law firm leaders do not want to unnecessarily antagonize or become a target or the administration.
— Kent Zimmermann, principal at legal strategy firm Zeughauser Group, in comments given to the American Lawyer, on how Biglaw firms will handle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives going forward, now that the Trump administration has effectively declared war on such programming through executive action. Many firms are “presently speaking internally about what they feel makes sense for their firm in the current environment,” according to Zimmermann. “Law firm leaders I am advising are committed to the value of continuing to retain and attract diverse high-performing lawyers and leaders.”
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
The post How Will Biglaw Firms Handle Their DEI Efforts Without Incurring Trump’s Wrath? appeared first on Above the Law.
Ed. note: Welcome to our daily feature, Quote of the Day.
I think the question is less about how committed most law firms are to diversity and inclusion and more so how they frame their views and what words they use when talking about it internally and externally. Yes, we may see law firms tone down how and the extent to which they market commitment to diversity. In general, most law firm leaders do not want to unnecessarily antagonize or become a target or the administration.
— Kent Zimmermann, principal at legal strategy firm Zeughauser Group, in comments given to the American Lawyer, on how Biglaw firms will handle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives going forward, now that the Trump administration has effectively declared war on such programming through executive action. Many firms are “presently speaking internally about what they feel makes sense for their firm in the current environment,” according to Zimmermann. “Law firm leaders I am advising are committed to the value of continuing to retain and attract diverse high-performing lawyers and leaders.”
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
