Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are key elements of Baker & Daniels' strategic plan and among its seven core principles. We have moved past the diversity "dialogue" and taken active steps to ensure that we employ attorneys, other professionals and staff of diverse backgrounds. We also make it a priority to provide those individuals with the opportunity to succeed, grow and flourish within our firm.

Our culture is open, friendly, "down to earth" and inclusive. We are not only colleagues, but we care about and support one another, as well as celebrate each other's accomplishments.

We serve a significant and diverse group of clients who possess diverse work forces and constituencies. Having a diverse group of talented professionals not only strengthens our culture but is essential to effectively serve and partner with our clients.

To enhance our individual and collective awareness, the firm underwent an internal diversity assessment in 2006 through interviews and focus groups conducted by Boston-based Novations Group. An action plan was implemented to include diversity and inclusion training for all professionals, paraprofessionals and support staff. In 2007, we completed training for the firm's partners, senior managers and associates in the Indianapolis offices. In 2008, the action plan continues with associate and staff training in our Fort Wayne, South Bend and Washington, D.C. offices.

Diversity Committee

Baker & Daniels has an active internal diversity committee which is itself made up of a diverse subsection of our firm and serves as the centerpiece for our commitment to support and promote diversity in all aspects of our management, administration and operations. The committee's co-chairs, who report directly to the Chief Executive Partner, are responsible for driving diversity initiatives and accomplishments. The committee is made up of a diverse group of attorneys and professionals representing differences in ethnicity, gender, background, lifestyles, culture, disability and viewpoints. With the full support of firm management, the diversity committee oversees our strategic plan on diversity issues and is held accountable by firm management for tangible and measurable results. The committee meets quarterly, functions through four subcommittees and reports to the entire firm on initiatives and progress.

Diversity Coordinator

The firm hired a Diversity/Pro Bono Coordinator in 2007. The coordinator works with the co-chairs of the diversity and inclusion committee and the chair of the pro bono committee, as well as others, to coordinate all aspects of diversity and pro bono to help develop initiatives and strategies to advance the firm's ongoing commitment in both arenas.

Recruitment

Our recruitment practices and results reflect our efforts to make Baker & Daniels a destination for diverse candidates. We recruit from law schools across the country, including Howard University, and regularly participate in minority job fairs, regionally and nationally.

Our 2007 summer associate class consisted of 45 law students from 22 different law schools – 22 percent of whom were African-American, Hispanic or Asian Pacific and 47 percent of whom were women.

The firm also has been a significant sponsor of the Black Law Students Association's annual Midwest Conference. In 2007, members of the firm's diversity committee made a presentation at the conference on "getting off to the right start in your legal career" and on "getting the most out of a mentoring relationship."

Our practice group leaders are also evaluated, in part, based on their demonstrated commitment and efforts to the recruitment and retention of attorneys from diverse backgrounds within their respective groups.  Diversity in our support staff is equally important, and we continue to seek diversity in this area.

Minority Recruitment At Law Job Fairs

Baker & Daniels also seeks minority law students for summer clerkships from its active participation in minority job fairs, including the Cook County (Chicago) Minority Job Fair, National BLSA Midwest Regional Minority Recruitment Job Fair and Legal Career Fair sponsored by the Harvard Black Law Students Association.

Joint Summer Clerkship Program

Baker & Daniels jointly sponsors summer associate programs for diverse law students with some of its clients, who also have a strong commitment to diversity. Two of our Fortune 500 clients, Eli Lilly and Cummins, partner with the firm on these programs. Under these joint programs, the law students work on projects throughout the summer with lawyers at Baker & Daniels, as well as lawyers and representatives at the respective clients.

Hudson-Holland Internship With Indiana University

The firm is also one of only four law firms in Indiana to participate in the Hudson & Holland Scholarship Program at Indiana University for minority undergraduate students graduating from college who have performed well academically and want to attend law school. Through this program, we provide the student a summer internship and include the intern in our summer associate experience.

Gateway To Diversity Program

Baker & Daniels is a participant in and recruits law students from the "Gateway To Diversity" Program – a program that links Indiana's legal employers with minority law students and Indiana CLEO fellows to enhance the diversity of law students in Indiana's legal community.

Scholarships

In 2007, Baker & Daniels began awarding two $10,000 diversity scholarships annually. Eligible candidates are students entering their second year of law school at the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis or Bloomington or the University of Notre Dame Law School in South Bend. Scholarship recipients also receive a place in our summer associate program.

To view news releases announcing past Baker & Daniels diversity scholarship recipients, click below:

Retention

We understand that success is measured not only in the recruitment of attorneys and professionals with diverse backgrounds, but in their development, advancement and retention. We are committed to that retention through our mentoring relationships.

Domestic Partner Benefits

Baker & Daniels has long provided domestic partner benefits on medical and dental coverage and was the first major law firm in Indianapolis to do so. Benefits now also include COBRA, Employee Assistance Program and bereavement benefits to qualified domestic partners.

Minority Vendor Program

Baker & Daniels has a minority vendor program and seeks to partner with vendors that share the firm's commitment to diversity. Our vendor program includes both minority and women-owned businesses.

Public Recognition

Baker & Daniels is proud to receive public recognition that highlights our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Some of the most recent examples include:

  • MultiCultural Magazine: Top 100 law firms in U.S. for diversity and Top 100 law firms in U.S. for women
  • City of Indianapolis: Mayor's Celebration of Diversity Award (first law firm recipient in award's seven-year history)
  • Black Law Students Association, Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis: Mission and Dedication Award
  • Working Mother Magazine: Among best law firms for women in U.S.
  • Women's Law Association, Harvard Law School: Top three firms in U.S. for opportunities for women
  • Indianapolis Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction: Company of the Year Award

Pro Bono and Public Service Initiatives

Baker & Daniels has a long-standing commitment to pro bono and public service programs, actively working to leverage collective experience and resources to improve quality of life.  Some of the most recent initiatives include:

  • Presenting a series of organizational programs and seminars for organizations serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community
  • Developing a minority-owned start up business incubator project
  • Providing legal assistance to the Indiana University program in western Kenya serving 40,000 AIDS/HIV patients through comprehensive health care assistance and  economic development initiatives
  • Forming a working group to develop a legal advocacy platform for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community

Attorneys and staff are encouraged to participate in the firm's partnership with William McKinley Indianapolis Public School 39. All employees receive credit for time spent tutoring students at the elementary school. Hourly employees are allowed paid leave to volunteer up to eight times per semester. For partners and associates, all volunteer time counts toward their annual investment time requirement.

External Support

Baker & Daniels' commitment to diversity and inclusion is also demonstrated externally through financial support for numerous organizations, including:

  • Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA)
  • United Negro College Fund
  • National Association of Women Business Owners
  • Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
  • Indiana Black Chamber of Commerce
  • Indiana Business Diversity Council (IBDC)
  • South Bend Human Rights Commission
  • Center for Leadership Development
  • Lambda Legal
  • La Plaza, Inc.

External Involvement

Representatives of Baker & Daniels serve or have served as leaders with various external organizations, including:

  • Indianapolis Mayor's Race Relations Leadership Network
  • Indiana State Bar Association's Diversity Committee
  • Indianapolis Bar Association's Diversity Task Force
  • Indiana Governor's Council for Persons with Disabilities
  • International Paralympics Committee
  • International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
  • National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) local chapter advisor
  • Indiana Business Diversity Council Advisory Board
  • Indiana Black Expo Black Business Conference
  • Indiana Lawyer/Marion County Bar Association Diversity in Practice Conference