Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Business: Legal Services
CEO: Tom Edwards
Website: www.msk.com

CO-CHAIRS, MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP’S D&I COMMITTEE, GREGORY OLANIRAN AND KEVIN FRIEDMANN Share Their D&I Views

“Earlier this year, when Heather Heyer was killed in Charlottesville, Virginia, MSK quickly mobilized to work with the Miller Law Group, where she had been employed as a paralegal. We supported the formation of the Heather Heyer Foundation, donated money, and helped promote a campaign within the legal industry to drive donations. When we announced these efforts internally, we were met with an outpouring of pride from employees, including many who said, ‘I’ve never been more proud to work at this firm than I am now.’”

Impact and Challenges

“Despite our historical commitment to D&I, MSK is still faced with challenges, primarily in the promotion of women and establishing a reputation for diversity on law school campuses. We are working to create an atmosphere more conducive to building career and family at the same time, including making changes to our maternity-leave policy. We are working to share our story and our commitment to diversity via social media.”

2017 Successes

“A large number of our attorneys, and Diversity & Inclusion Committee members, have taken on leadership roles in outside organizations. We participate in the Managing Partners’ Roundtable and Diversity Directors’ Roundtable, and support the California Minority Counsel Program’s educational, business development, and networking activities. MSK also sponsored the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association’s Midyear Conference in Los Angeles. We are proud of the role we played in the aftermath of the tragedy in Charlottesville, Virginia, and how it renewed our commitment to fighting hatred and bigotry.”

What’s Ahead for 2018

“The firm has targeted lateral recruiting efforts, as well as targeted diversity recruiting efforts, to find the best attorneys to join our practice groups. In addition, we will work with recruiters that specifically focus on recruiting diverse candidates. MSK will continue to sustain a work environment where all attorneys and staff feel welcomed, valued, and energized about the contributions they make and the opportunities they have to further their careers.

“We will also look to our affinity networks and initiatives, such as our Gay Straight Alliance (MSK Out) and Women’s Initiatives, to recruit attorneys from diverse backgrounds. The firm wants to help forge and facilitate relationship-building among our attorneys with shared interests and backgrounds, and provide a forum for professional and leadership development.”