Kimya S.P. Johnson
Of Counsel Attorney, Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Cozen O’Connor has a team of seasoned professionals in place who provide a seamless approach to their diversity initiative and the commitment starts at the top. “Since joining the firm in 1981 in the first summer associate class, I witnessed a seismic change in the area of legal diversity and I have been personally committed to ensuring the firm was committed to growth in this area. About 15 years ago, I was involved in the formalization of our diversity efforts through the creation of a Diversity Committee. Since that time, I have sought to ensure strong leadership for the Diversity Committee and real support from executive management in furthering our abiding commitment to diversity and inclusion initiatives,” states Vincent R. McGuinness, Managing Partner.
Scott W. Reid
Partner, Outgoing Chair, Diversity Committee
The leaders of Cozen’s Diversity Committee bring a broad view to the firm’s initiatives. According to Scott W. Reid, a Partner who chaired the firm’s Diversity Committee from 2008 through 2012. “To promote increased diversity and inclusion at Cozen O’Connor the Diversity Committee has done a number of things. First, we sought the input of diverse attorneys for the purpose of learning what their experience at the firm was, whether positive or negative. Second, we utilized that input to help us craft a long-term strategic diversity program,” Reid continues. “Third, we sought the buy-in of firm leadership once our diversity program was presented. We realized early on that we needed real support from firm management in order to make a significant impact in terms of diversity and inclusion in the firm.”
Lynnette Espy-Williams
Partner, Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Reid laid much of the framework for the committee and Kimya S.P. Johnson, who was his co-chair, has been leading the effort since January and manages the firm-wide Diversity Committee. Johnson, Of Counsel Attorney within the Labor & Employment Group says, “Diversity and inclusion is absolutely integral to ensuring we have the best team of legal professionals possible in an increasingly competitive global society. Without a real commitment to not only hiring/recruiting diverse law students to join our profession but also to ensuring that all of our attorneys have the tools and resources needed to stay and to be successful, the gulf between lawyer and client will widen. And disconnect is the precursor to irrelevance,” Johnson continues. “Today, we are continuing to promote diversity and inclusion not only through the ways that have worked in the past, but we are focused on ensuring diversity and inclusion is well-integrated into the day-to-day functioning of the firm. We have integrated diversity and inclusion into our firm-wide Strategic Plan to ensure they remain an important aim for the future and at every level of firm function. Whether within marketing, communications, team staffing, professional development, or hiring, we want diversity and inclusion to be a seamless part of how we conduct business.”
In 2013, Cozen O’Connor, in keeping with the seamless process within its diversity leadership model named Lynnette Espy-Williams, Partner, Global Insurance Group, as the co-chair of the Diversity Committee and she will lead the committee in the future. She offers advice to aspiring diverse attorneys. “I would encourage aspiring minority and women lawyers who may feel disillusioned to do their due diligence and identify their true passion. Mastering the practice of law can be very challenging and time consuming so I would encourage them to seriously consider whether becoming a lawyer is something they are truly passionate about pursuing.”
Johnson concludes,“Diversity focuses on all the ways in which we are different and it recognizes the value of our uniqueness. Inclusion, however, puts diversity into action by bringing together and harnessing that uniqueness in a way that is beneficial. Our greatest promotion of diversity is our diverse attorneys and their accomplishments. When we show who we are, recognizing the value of what we bring, it propels diversity and inclusion forward.”
Cozen O’Connor coordinates successful diversity efforts through its seamless leadership team and firmwide
commitment.
Vincent T. McGuinness
Managing Partner
Johnson concludes,“Diversity focuses on all the ways in which we are different and it recognizes the value of our uniqueness. Inclusion, however, puts diversity into action by bringing together and harnessing that uniqueness in a way that is beneficial. Our greatest promotion of diversity is our diverse attorneys and their accomplishments. When we show who we are, recognizing the value of what we bring, it propels diversity and inclusion forward.”
Cozen O’Connor coordinates successful diversity efforts through its seamless leadership team and firmwide
commitment.