On Monday, November 7, 2016, I traveled to Greenville, South Carolina—the birthplace of our firm—to participate in the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s 2016 ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award ceremony. This award recognizes organizations for their commitment to increasing the positive impact of women’s leadership in the Greenville community. Greenville Office Managing Shareholder Mike Shetterly graciously accepted the award on behalf of the firm.
Greenville Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carlos Phillips recognized Ogletree Deakins, stating, “We are proud to have Ogletree Deakins in our business community and to honor them with the ATHENA Organizational Leadership Award. They are a terrific example of an organization that practices what they preach in an effort to better serve their clients, their people and the community.”
This award has once again proven how consistent the firm is in upholding its new client pledge and long-standing commitment to the core values of mutual respect, collaboration, open governance, and exceptional client service. This award also comes at a time when our firm has committed to clients that we will support the American Bar Association’s new Resolution 113 to help promote a diverse and inclusive legal profession.
The recent presidential campaign and election underscores for me that deep divisions in our country remain. We are simply not unified . . . yet. As an attorney who serves as my organization’s chief diversity officer, it is my duty to help foster an inclusive workplace where sexist, racist, homophobic, bigoted, and/or xenophobic attitudes and behavior are not tolerated.
I urge all of us to remain steadfast in our commitment to diversity. Ogletree Deakins’ culture of collegiality, high level of trust, and commitment to craft and stewardship demonstrate that we are stronger and healthier when we cultivate a diverse and inclusive environment. I remain committed to achieving a workplace that is reflective of our clients and the communities in which we live and work. And I am fortunate to work in a firm that joins me in my commitment.
