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Racial/Ethnic Initiatives
Jenner & Block works to promote and support racial/ethnic diversity in the workplace, in the profession and in the community. We have also played an active role in several major cases involving critical issues such as affirmative action and housing discrimination. We are proud of the recognition our firm has received for its support of lawyers of color and for the impact many of them have had on the profession and the community.
We have been recognized extensively for our commitment to diversity and inclusion and our work to improve diversity in the legal profession. For example, we have won the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s Rainbowmaker Award and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Legal Service Award. In addition, the firm is regularly ranked among the top firms for diversity.
C3 Summit
Launched in 2017, the C3 Summit biennial conference underscores the firm's priority on diversity and inclusion as we foster superior talent by providing opportunities for continuous learning and by maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and is able to contribute. In September 2019, lawyers of color from all Jenner & Block offices gathered to connect with each other, firm leadership and practice groups with a focus on cultivating relationships and enhancing business opportunities. The C3 Summit will be hosted as a virtual program, for the first time, in 2021.
Since summer 2020, the D&I team has hosted a virtual “Welcome to Jenner” event where affinity group members meet with Summer Associates and incoming SEOs to connect, learn more about each other and the firm’s commitment to diversity & inclusion before the Summer Program officially kicks off.
Overview of Firm Racial Affinity Groups
African American Affinity Group (AAAG)
The African American Affinity Group (AAAG) offers a safe space for members to share challenges, successes, etc. and provides an opportunity for African American lawyers to connect across practices and offices. The AAAG focuses on the following key areas: networking, recruiting/retention and professional development.
Professional Staff African American/Black Affinity Group
The Professional Staff African American/Black Affinity Group offers a safe space for members to share challenges, successes, etc. and brings together African American/Black professional staff to share knowledge and experiences, build community and develop professionally.
Asian Lawyers Forum
The Asian Lawyers Forum offers a safe space for members to share challenges, successes, etc. and provides mentoring and networking for members through informal and formal meetings, lunches and outings. Asian Lawyers Forum members are involved with community and student organizations and bar associations.
Hispanic Lawyers Forum
The Hispanic Lawyers Forum offers a safe space for members to share challenges, successes, etc. and provides networking, mentoring and social opportunities to its members through formal and informal lunches, dinners and outings. The Hispanic Lawyers Forum also works collectively to find opportunities for involvement with bar associations, civic/community and student organizations.
Multicultural Affinity Group
The firm has found that in smaller offices where there might be fewer individuals of any one ethnic affinity group, it helps to provide opportunities to connect across affinity groups. The group offers a safe space for members to share challenges, successes, etc. and has informal meetings to provide an opportunity for networking and open discussion. This group is active in the Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC offices.
2019-2020 Equal Time diversity and inclusion report
The winning team of partners and new and lateral associates at the “Evening of Inclusion” event in November 2019.
Partner Randy Mehrberg (right) joins his team of new and lateral associates to identify notable people, including historical figures and civil rights pioneers, at the “Evening of Inclusion” event in November 2019.
New and lateral associates celebrate “An Evening of Inclusion”networking reception, hosted by Chicago members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Associate Board of the D&I Committee in November 2019.
Guest speaker Tony West (left) discusses diversity in the legal profession with Partner Katya Jestin in 2019.
Partner Reid Schar (left) interviews keynote speaker Tina Tchen at the 17th Annual Diversity Dinner in 2018.
Former Partner Scott Wilkens (left) discusses First Amendment rights with guest speaker Jameel Jaffer in 2017.
Guest speaker Ruby Bridges (right) talks with Partner Reginald Hill in 2013.
Guest speaker Kenji Yoshino (left) talks with former partner Paul Smith at the Annual Diversity Dinner in 2015.