In 2020 and 2021, the United States experienced significant change, characterized by a renewed and profound examination of the racial inequality that has persisted throughout our history and continues to impact the daily lives of people of color. This reckoning generated a broad social movement that extended across our country.
As a firm, we committed to doing our part to help end racism and create a more just and equal society. These commitments were established to build upon the significant work we were already doing to promote diversity, inclusion, and opportunity for all within our firm and society.
Financial contributions to promote racial equality
We have committed to giving at least $2.5 million over five years to local and national organizations focused on advancing racial equality through legal representation, policy advocacy, and community-based activities.
Pro Bono initiatives focused on racial equality
Building on our existing pro bono program, we established new firmwide initiatives that address racial inequality in policing, the criminal justice system, and economic justice. We work with other law firms to address issues of systemic racism through the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance.
Racial Justice Fellowship
We have established a fellowship program for associates who are early in their careers, to spend six months working in a civil rights organization or other organization that promotes racial equality.
Observance
Since 2020, we have recognized Juneteenth as an annual holiday in our U.S. offices. This is an opportunity for reflection, education, and service to promote racial equality.
Racial equality grant program
We are committed to doing our part to help end racism and help create a more just and equal society. As part of our Racial Equality Commitment, we are contributing at least $2.5 million over five years to local and national organizations focused on advancing racial equality through legal representation, policy advocacy, and community-based activities.
We are pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s grants and invite you to learn more about each of them below.
Builds robust, equitable pipelines to enlist talent in advancing Baltimore’s most promising social innovations. Learn More
Helps residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. Provides food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty. Learn More
Assists in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and fosters a broader understanding of ethnically and culturally diverse groups. Learn More
Works to improve the health and wellness of Metro Denver’s Black community by empowering members to make informed health decisions that benefit the whole person through education, collaboration, and advocacy. Learn More
Provides affordable housing, senior services, youth development, STEM programs, arts and culture programs, and basic needs programs like food bags and warm meals. Learn More
Teaches high school students the power of long-term investing and brings classroom lessons to life by providing them with real money to invest. Learn More
Provides free, high-quality law school admissions consulting services to thousands of prospective law school applicants. Learn More
Channels the Chicago legal community’s resources to support mentoring and tutoring programs for at-risk youth. Learn More
Establishes a secure, trauma-resilient support framework for at-risk youth and young adults. Delivers evidence-based after-school programming, family engagement initiatives, parent capacity-building, early intervention protocols, and aggression diversion workshops that foster resilience and positive behavioral outcomes. Learn More
Addresses the challenges faced by queer and gender non-conforming youth to ensure the next generation of LGBTQ+ youth find their community, peers, and safe spaces earlier while gaining empowerment to achieve bright futures. Learn More
Advances childhood literacy through a social justice lens. Revives defunct library spaces within Title I schools and hosts immersive experiences led by BIPOC authors and illustrators to foster a love for reading. Learn More
Working alongside First Nations Peoples in Australia
Our journey of legal support for and with First Nations people and First Nations led organizations began in the early 1970s, when our lawyers supported the establishment of the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) in Redfern, New South Wales. The ALS was the first free legal service in Australia. ALS’s initial volunteer lawyer cohort was largely made up of lawyers from, or who would become part of, our Australian business.
From the 1970s onwards we continued to provide pro bono legal services to First Nations people and organizations throughout Australia. Our deep relationships with key First Nations community organizations continue to this day. For example, we provide the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) with ongoing legal support and a rotating, permanent full-time secondee in their Katherine office in the Northern Territory.
This work is led by our Head of First Nations Strategy, Jerome Pang, a Kalkadoon man and a descendant of the Waanyi, Gangalidda, Lardil and Pitta Pitta peoples of North West Queensland and the Gulf of Carpentaria, and our First Nations Pro Bono Lawyer, Nareeta Davis, a descendant of the Purga Mission from Ipswich with cultural connections to the Kullili Thargomindah people, the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people and maternal non-indigenous heritage.
Learn more about our work with First Nations Peoples in Australia here.
Key contacts
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Colette Comerford
Head of Inclusion, Diversity & Opportunity, UK/EMEA/US
London
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Madeleine Motion
Global Head of Inclusion, Diversity & Opportunity
Sydney
