The dozen law firms that agreed lately to find ways to bring more women and minorities into the profession are united by a common goal: increasing the legal talent pool in Grand Rapids by becoming more varied.
Working through the Grand Rapids Bar Association, the 12 firms signed a pledge to team up on a diversity plan. They aim to build up a five-year action plan by the year end that will direct the recruitment, retention and development of women and minorities in the local legal community.
Joy Fossel, a litigator and the diversity and inclusion partner at Varnum stated that the universal idea is to boost the talent pool .
Law firms drawn in drafting the diversity plan will seek to set up quantifiable goals for the future. The attempt builds on the work numerous law firms locally have completed for years to encourage and drive better diversity within the profession in Grand Rapids.
Fossel stated that it is definitely a major milestone for the legal community. For the first time ever, law firms are bringing together their collective heads jointly to embark upon a single hurdle that exists in their community.
