Initiatives

The Firm’s affinity networks —which are open to all lawyers—are integral to our efforts to maintain and enhance an inclusive workplace and community.  The Firm has three active associate networks the Asian Associates Network, the LGBTQ+ Network and the Network of Black & Latinx Lawyers (NOBLL). These networks offer candid forums for members to seek advice, share experiences and discuss work-related issues. The networks meet regularly and bring in speakers periodically to discuss career development topics to assist its members with achieving their professional milestones, while also raising members’ professional profiles within the Firm.  The affinity networks maintain bespoke mentoring programs for incoming associate members. The networks also host a partner-led speaker series. The presentations cover substantive practice and professional development topics for all who would like to attend.

Our Women's Initiative Committee (WIC) is also open to all lawyers and works to enhance the experience of those who identify as women by focusing on their retention and development by fostering informal networking and mentoring opportunities.

The Firm is also very proud of its “S&C Celebrates Diversity” speaker series. In a  recent program in this series, the Firm hosted Damon T. Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL). Mr. Hewitt discussed his work with the LCCRUL, how his time clerking for the Honorable Eric L. Clay influences his work today and the importance of focusing on the future while celebrating the past.

BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women partners hold several leadership positions in the Firm, including serving on the Firm's Management Committee and other committees, managing multiple offices, and heading many practice groups and practice areas. For instance:

• BIPOC and women lawyers head or co-head the Firm's Beijing, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Palo Alto, Sydney, Tokyo and Washington D.C. offices.
• LGBTQ+ lawyers head or co-head the Firm's Financial Institutions Group, Tax Group, Antitrust practice, Broker-Dealer Regulation practice and Intellectual Property (Litigation) practice.
• BIPOC lawyers head or co-head the Firm's Executive Compensation Group, Tax Group,  Africa practice, Antitrust –Europe practice, Commodities, Futures and Derivatives practice, Corporate Finance – Securities practice, Corporate Governance/ESG practice, Europe practice, European Union practice, Hong Kong Law practice, Infrastructure practice, Intellectual Property practice, Investment Management practice, Labor and Employment practice, Latin America practice, Natural Resources practice, Project Finance practice, and Sovereign Issuers practice.
• Women lawyers head or co-head the Firm's General Practice Group, Litigation Group, Capital Markets Group, Mergers & Acquisitions Group, Africa practice, Antitrust practice, Bank Regulatory practice, Blue Sky/FINRA Clearance practice, California practice, Commodities, Futures and Derivatives practice, Corporate Finance – Securities practice, Corporate Governance/ESG practice, Cybersecurity practice, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act practice, Infrastructure practice, Insurance practice, Intellectual Property (Litigation) practice, Investment Management practice, Labor and Employment practice, Natural Resources practice, Private Equity practice, Product Liability and Mass Torts practice, Project Finance practice and Technology: Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions practice, Sanctions: AML practice, and Securities practice.