Holland & Knight was honored with two high commendations at the latest Chambers Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) North America Awards, which took place on June 9 in Los Angeles. Holland & Knight Partners Deborah Barnard and Janis Schiff were recognized in the Outstanding Contribution (Private Practice) category. The firm was also honored in the category of Veterans Advancement: Outstanding Firm USA (Private Practice).
The Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards celebrate those firms and individuals who are furthering the advancement of diversity and inclusion across the United States and Canada. They provide the opportunity to shine the spotlight on role models and trailblazers in pro bono and corporate social responsibility as well as inclusion.
In 2019, Holland & Knight was recognized as the “Most Pioneering Firm for Female Lawyers” at the inaugural Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards, and in 2020 the firm received the "Veterans Program of the Year" award. Additionally, in 2014 Holland & Knight's Rising Star program, which provides leadership and business development training for women lawyers, was named the "Most Innovative Gender Diversity Initiative" at the Chambers USA Women in Law Awards.
Twenty years ago, Ms. Barnard and Ms. Schiff founded and have since led Holland & Knight's groundbreaking Rising Star program. "The concept was to take women who were on the rise, give them additional resources and tools, and pair that with lots of personal support," said Ms. Schiff. "From its inception, we knew that everyone had different needs, strengths and weaknesses," added Ms. Barnard. "We needed to be able to provide participants with personal attention to maximize impact."
The results have been remarkable. All Rising Star graduates at the firm are now partners, and 30 percent of those who were non-equity partners in the program are now equity partners. Five women members of Holland & Knight's Directors Committee are former Rising Stars. Other graduates lead Holland & Knight offices and practice groups and serve in other firm leadership roles.
Holland & Knight's Veterans Group represents military families and veterans pro bono across the country. Its members assist military families on myriad issues, including bankruptcy, eviction, a wide range of civil matters and selected criminal cases. Since 2016, Holland & Knight has performed more than 31,000 hours of military and veteran pro bono work valued at more than $20 million. The firm has also made impressive gains in veteran hiring and is increasingly focused on advocating for policy changes that benefit veterans.
Original source can be found here.