At Nixon Peabody, we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in every facet of our firm. 2024 was no exception. We took meaningful steps to embed DEI in our relationships with clients, communities, and each other. Our holistic efforts underscore our belief that DEI is not an isolated endeavor but an ever-present philosophy guiding our firm culture.
For the seventh consecutive year, we earned Mansfield Certification Plus recognition from legal industry incubator Diversity Lab, solidifying our progress in strengthening diversity throughout the firm.
We re-energized our diverse communities at NP through new perspectives, leadership, and opportunities for professional development inside and outside the firm.
We welcomed a diverse and dynamic slate of new partners and counsel that reflect the breadth of perspectives we have at the firm.
And we optimized DEI in our legal work through pro bono and billable initiatives, paving the way for a more inclusive path forward.
In my first year as Nixon Peabody’s senior DEI director, I was inspired by the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect that powers NP. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made this year as we work toward true diversity, equity, and inclusion.
By the Numbers
Our commitment to DEI is evident across practice groups and career paths. From summer interns to equity partners, we focus on building a firm that reflects our clients and communities and draws on the skills and passions of our people.
This year, we welcomed a new partner class that includes 33% women attorneys. Several of our new partners took advantage of our inclusive policies, like ramp-up, during their time as associates and counsel. These attorneys officially join the partner class February 1, 2025. They represent a variety of backgrounds and experiences at the firm.
We also welcomed a new counsel class comprised of 42% attorneys from underrepresented groups.
Of the attorneys who joined the firm in 2024, 54% identify as members of underrepresented groups in the legal profession.
Our efforts have earned us Mansfield Certification Plus from Diversity Lab for a seventh consecutive year. Our Certification Plus status is a testament not only to our efforts but also to our tangible achievements in this arena: As of this year, colleagues who identify as members of underrepresented groups comprise 31% of our office managing partners, 46% of our practice group leaders, and 60% of our compensation committee.
Inclusive culture
We worked closely with diverse colleagues to elevate career development opportunities, collective discussion, and community-building.
Kid’s Book Club
A new addition to this year’s slate of high-impact programming was our Kid’s Book Club. This firmwide series is a creative way to engage our colleagues and their families in collective celebrations of diversity and inclusion. We hosted these events in conjunction with several heritage months and live-streamed attorneys reading children’s books with themes centered on cultural inclusivity to their children. Colleagues across the firm tuned into the readings, many with their own families, demonstrating the spirit of camaraderie that unites our people.
Developing Talent
With great gratitude to the energetic leaders who rolled off, we welcomed several new leaders to our six organized affinity resource groups this year. Our affinity resource groups play a pivotal role in fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging. These groups create micro-communities where our lawyers with shared backgrounds or interests can connect, exchange experiences, and support one another. Our communities include the Women’s Resource Group, Black Resource Group, Asian American Middle Eastern Resource Group, LGBTQ Resource Group, and Veterans Resource Group. These groups continue to enrich the firm experience for diverse lawyers and position their voices at the forefront of leadership decisions.
Move the Needle
Our involvement in Move the Needle played a crucial role in the development of our diverse talent at NP this year. As a founding member of this initiative, we team with clients, general counsel, and peer firms to craft strategies to promote inclusion and equity. In 2024, we supported diverse lawyers through MTN’s OnTrack Sponsorship, Focused Five, and OnRamp Fellowship, which foster business development and connection opportunities for participating attorneys. Two of our associates, Taylor Hooks and Tammy Nguyen, participated in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity program, which connects early-career diverse lawyers across the country in collaborative professional development experiences
In coordination with Diversity Lab, we developed an Inclusion & Satisfaction survey this year to gather feedback on DEI at NP. The results will inform our programming and leadership decision-making in the year ahead.
This year, we invited Haley Moss, an expert on neurodiversity in the legal profession, to speak to the firm about neurodiversity. We are also proud to be a signatory to the Mansfield Disability Commitments, pledging to boost inclusivity and equitable access for people with disabilities.
Connecting with clients
We continue to strengthen relationships with clients through our shared focus on DEI.
Women in Dealmaking
Our Women In Dealmaking initiative reached new heights this year as NP Corporate attorneys united hundreds of high-powered women across the dealmaking space for business development, connection, and thought leadership experiences. A grassroots initiative launched by partners Amy O’Keefe, Rachel Pugliese, and Marissa Wiley, Women in Dealmaking builds on the momentum of increasing gender diversity in corporate law and directs its benefits to our clients, industry peers, and colleagues. In 2024, the team expanded the Women in Dealmaking network through a collection of industry panels, podcasts, and professional development events. The network has now reached more than 1,000 women nationwide, leading directly to significant deals, new streams of work, and lifelong professional connections.
Storytelling
Beyond our legal work, we used storytelling to elevate diverse perspectives and deepen our relationships with clients. We featured the stories about the career paths of inspirational leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, including Michelle Harding of Life & Specialty Ventures, Katie Balderrama of Walker & Dunlap, Monika Mantilla of Altura Capital, and Suzanne Shank of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., LLC, among other trailblazing professionals. We also introduced our “Trailblazing Leaders” series this year to coincide with heritage months, providing a platform for diverse clients to share their own career experiences and paths to leadership.
And, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner Sonia Nayak, with our Community Development Finance group, hosted a conversation with Zaileen Janmohamed, president and CEO of the Bay Area Host Committee, about her remarkable journey and vision for the future of sports in the Bay Area.
Zaileen was part of our recurring “Let’s Talk” series, which showcases dynamic women leaders across industries as they discuss their paths to leadership.
Awards season
This year, Bloomberg Law included our firm in its fourth annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework for our demonstrated commitments to DEI initiatives and priorities. ChIPs Network, a global community of more than 7,000 women in tech, IP law, and policy, named NP’s Intellectual Property practice to its 2024 Honor Roll for a deep commitment to DEI in the workplace. NP was one of only six firms recognized for “Excellence in Gender Inclusion,” which highlights firms that have demonstrated their commitment to ensuring talent practices at the firmwide and practice group levels are inclusive of all genders. This recognition is a testament to NP’s inclusive culture—within the Intellectual Property practice and firmwide. And the National Legal Aid and Defender Association honored our pro bono program with the 2024 Beacon of Justice Award for the life-changing impact we’re making on civil and human rights.
The legal publication Corporate Counsel recognized Nixon Peabody Chief Talent Officer Stacie Collier for “Talent Management” as part of the publication’s 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards. The WIPL awards honor in-house and law firm women leaders and allies who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law. The “Talent Management” category recognizes women legal leaders who focus on building a firm culture that helps grow and retain diverse talent. Stacie’s award is a testament to her outstanding leadership in advocating for DEI at every level of the firm.
Collectively, our recognition is a powerful testament to the breadth and depth of our DEI framework. From recruitment, innovation, and business strategy to workplace policies and pro bono—our values are reflected in all functions of our firm.
Our communities
Within our communities, we partnered with local nonprofits to advance equity in our neighborhoods. Our 2024 NP Impact Week of Service brought many of these local partners to our offices as we engaged in collaborative service projects that addressed the needs of our communities. This year, our theme was "Invest in Youth," where we partnered with organizations across the country that help to build a bright future for young people. The campaign addressed pressing issues in our communities, including homelessness and food insecurity.
We are proud of the momentum we created across the board this year to creatively act on our DEI goals, and we look forward to moving the needle forward in the year ahead.
