NEWSLETTER

This award is given to a FordHarrison office, group or individual who has distinguished themselves through their outstanding commitment to promoting diversity, understanding, inclusion and awareness. The recipient has actively worked to reduce obstacles that prevent an open dialogue regarding diversity and inclusion, through their personal involvement, activities and actions, both within the firm and in their surrounding community. Through this award recipient's actions, bridges have been built that will advance the infrastructure of diversity and inclusion throughout FordHarrison.

The Dallas office of FordHarrison is the fifth FH Spirit of Inclusion Award winner! Over the past year, the attorneys and staff in the Dallas office have demonstrated the firm's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The Dallas office recently welcomed associate Carolyn Lam, who transferred from FordHarrison's Birmingham office. Carolyn is member of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association, the National Employment Law Council, the National Asian Pacific Bar Association ("NAPABA") and the Hispanic National Bar Association ("HNBA"). She also remains a member of the Alabama Asian Pacific American Bar Association ("ALAPABA") as the Founder and current President, a Board member of the Birmingham Chinese Festival Association, Social Chair and Mentoring Chair of the Birmingham Bar - Women Lawyer's Section, and a chosen participant of Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum.

This fall Carolyn and Vista Lyons, office administrative partner of the Dallas office, attended the Texas Minority Counsel Program (TMCP), which was created in 1993 to increase opportunities for minority and women attorneys who provide legal services to corporate and government clients and to expose those organizations to the legal talent found in this community. Since its inception, the TMCP has been instrumental in enhancing the employment and economic opportunities for diverse attorneys throughout Texas.

This past spring, Vista was recognized at the Texas Diversity Council's 8th Annual Texas Diversity and Leadership Conference. She was honored with the "Most Powerful & Influential Women Award," which is designed to recognize individuals who have made a difference through their achievements and exemplify the ability to excel in their field.

Vista also represented FordHarrison at the Minority Corporate Counsel Association's (MCCA) Regional Networking Forum, which took place earlier this year at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas. FordHarrison was selected as one of three finalists for the MCCA 2012 Thomas L. Sager Award for the South/Southwest Region. The Sager Award is MCCA's most prestigious award, given to law firms that have demonstrated sustained commitment to improve the hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys.

Other attorneys in the Dallas office exemplify FordHarrison's commitment to diversity and inclusion through their involvement in charitable and community activities. For example, Dick Malahowski, of counsel in the Dallas office, has been active in pro bono clinics for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and is a religious education teacher at his parish. Dallas associate Allyn Lowell is active in many community activities, including the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association.

In addition to the attorneys, the entire Dallas team is active in local organizations and charitable endeavors. For example, legal assistants Vanessa Barrs and Mindy Sharrer are both active in their churches and in youth sporting activities in their communities. Vanessa has also served as a Troop Leader and Administrative Volunteer with Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and frequently provides volunteer notary services to senior citizens.

The Dallas office continues to support the North Texas Food Bank, which provides food supplies to more than one thousand hunger-relief programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The team also came together to raise money for the FordHarrison Cambodia School. Each Monday the office baked cakes and sold slices for $2 each, although some generous Texans contributed as much as $20 for a piece.

Author: Dawn Siler-Nixon

As we move forward into 2013, I cannot help but reflect on a wonderful, diversity-filled 2012. During 2012 we focused on identifying and addressing unconscious bias. We began the year with training on how to identify the source of our biases; the way we quickly and automatically categorize and unknowingly stereotype people, groups or situations. Throughout the year we utilized these techniques and tools to check ourselves and reveal any unconscious bias before unwittingly taking an unwarranted action. We ended our year by building on our foundation through focusing on effective techniques for providing feedback across differences. FordHarrison continues to make conscious efforts to be on the forefront of diversity within our profession and the communities we serve. Unconscious biases will not stand in our way! In 2013 as we expand our global capabilities, we will focus on cultural competence. Cultural competence places diversity in a global framework. Law firms that recognize its value and are culturally fluid can provide their clients with a distinct competitive advantage in the marketplace. We will explore how cultural competence can be leveraged to add value and drive business results for our clients.

These are exciting times at FordHarrison and we hope that you will continue on this journey with us.

October 5, 2012 - Tampa Managing Partner Tracey Jaensch, co-chaired the Tampa Bay Women in Leadership Symposium (WILS). The theme for this event was "Realizing Our Greatest Success," with breakout sessions including:

• Beyond the Box – Letting go of preconceived barriers and fears
• Networking Our Way Up – Always finding ways to connect
• Balancing Life and Work – How do we do it?
• Giving and Receiving – Supporting one another in both directions
• Leadership Best Practices – What it takes to lead in today's world

WILS is presented by the Florida Diversity Council.

July 21, 2012 - Dawn Siler-Nixon, Diversity & Inclusion Partner and Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) AIDS Coordinating Committee, recently hosted the ABA's HIV/AIDS Law and Practice Conference in Washington, DC.

Immediately preceding the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012), lawyers, physicians, policy advocates, social service providers and case managers gathered at the HIV/AIDS Law and Practice Conference for a one-day, one-of-a-kind experience. The latest issues from the best legal and medical practitioners in the field were covered and attendees were able to network with colleagues, and gain new inspiration through a broad range of substantive programming and social events at this premier conference in HIV law and policy.

Topics at the ABA's HIV/AIDS Law and Practice Conference included:

• HIV and AIDS: An Overview of Domestic Policies, Regulations, and Practice
• Implications in Light of the National HIV and AIDS Strategy
• HIV Forensics: The Science of Transmission
• Overcoming Challenges of Legal Representation of Clients with HIV/AIDS
• The Latest Science: The Forensics of Transmission and PreP
• Incorporate Human Rights Principles into Nuts-and-Bolts HIV Advocacy
• Test and Treat as Prevention: Implications on Practice
• Leveraging Existing Legal Services to Address HIV and AIDS

"I have been a member of this Committee and an advocate for its mission for many years," commented Dawn. "I am thrilled that the International AIDS Conference finally returned to the United States and that the ABA AIDS Coordinating Committee was able to be a part of it. The conference was not only dynamic, but inspirational as well."

The ABA AIDS Coordinating Committee also hosted the first annual Alexander D. Forger Awards for Sustained Excellence in HIV Legal Services and Advocacy Luncheon. It recognized ten lawyers and organizations who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of the rule of law for individuals living with HIV and to the provision of direct legal services to individuals infected with, and affected by, HIV.

September 20, 2012 - FordHarrison Partner Patricia G. Griffith was honored as one of the "2012 Most Powerful & Influential Women of Georgia" at the annual Georgia Diversity and Leadership Conference on September 20. The event was held at the Atlanta Marriott Century Center in Atlanta.

The criteria to be considered for this prestigious award included:

• Providing leadership excellence in the public and/or private sectors.
• Sustaining a record of accomplishments and/or contributions to field of work throughout scope of her career.
• Having clout within her organization in terms of significant impact on revenues, profitability, and/or direction of the organization.
• Demonstrating leadership and commitment to community well-being and/or high visibility in the community.

Exhibiting a commitment to the highest ethical standards and professional excellence. 

September 11, 2012 - Women often wonder what "having it all" means — and whether one even can have it all. At times, many women even have a hard time defining what "it" is.

The ongoing discussion about female success in the corporate world comes at a time when only 15 percent of equity partners at more than 200 large law firms are women.

FordHarrison is only one of five firms at which women account for more than 25 percent of equity partner ranks, according to the National Law Journal's annual partnership survey. About 26 percent of the firm's equity partners are female.

"It's worth celebrating the high number of FordHarrison's female equity partners," Firm Managing Partner Lash Harrison said. "It speaks to our firm's culture and our desire to broaden our leadership."

Attorneys from FordHarrison continue to help guide female colleagues through these questions. At the firm's recent Women Leaders Forum, a pilot group of participants examined the dilemma of "having it all" and its accompanying challenges.

"It is a topic that is relevant to women and men throughout the generations" Diversity & Inclusion Partner Dawn Siler-Nixon said. "It is an individual and corporate issue that we wanted to address."

The forum included FordHarrison's women partners joining leaders from top corporations to discuss key issues related to gender equity in the workplace. Some of the participants included Rhonda Taylor, vice president, assistant general counsel of Dollar General, Lori McLaughlin, senior vice president and general counsel for The Devereux Foundation, Gina Donald, counsel for Tech Data, and Nicole Porter, general counsel for UT-Battelle, LLC.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and don't remember ever attending anything like it," commented Nicole Porter. "It felt almost self-indulgent, which is good! It also caused me to reexamine work-life balance challenges and my long-held opinions," added Porter.

June 21, 2012 - FordHarrison is a 2012 recipient of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum's (WILEF) "Gold Standard" award. The firm was recognized for it's commitment to the advancement of women for the second year in a row.

The "Gold Standard" certification process focuses on whether women are represented in positions of power and are among the top-earning attorneys. Firms with 100 or more attorneys are eligible for consideration, but only 50 firms nationwide met the criteria for 2012.

To receive this coveted award, firms must fulfill at least three of the following six standards:

• Women account for at least 20% of equity partners.
• Women represent at least 10% of firm chairs and office managing partners.
• Women make up at least 20% of the firm's primary governance committee.
• Woman represent 20% or more of the firm's compensation committee.
• Women make up at least 25% of practice group leaders or department heads.
• Women represent at least 10% of the top half of the most highly compensated partners.

FordHarrison was a proud sponsor of a powerful evening co-produced by the Anti-Defamation League and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on October 11, 2012 at Atlanta's Symphony Hall. The concert, Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín, told the remarkable story of Jewish prisoners in the concentration camp in Terezin, Czechoslovakia known as Theresienstadt in German). Theresienstadt was the so-called Nazi "show camp" -- a camp that the Nazis allowed the Red Cross to visit to show the world how well the Nazis were treating the prisoners. These prisoners performed the Verdi Requiem Mass 16 times for fellow prisoners and Nazi officers in 1943 and 1944. Most of the members of the chorus were eventually transported to Auschwitz where they were murdered. They decided to sing the Mass to show the Nazis that even as they were being starved, beaten and forced to live in inhumane conditions they would not allow their spirits to be broken. At a pre-concert reception, ADL honored community leader Linda Selig and former Alston & Bird managing partner Ben Johnson, a former Chairman of the Board of the Atlanta Symphony and a member of many other nonprofit and educational boards of directors. FordHarrison attendees included Rick Warren, Paul Beshears, Mr. and Mrs. Raanon Gal, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet Alsher. Former FordHarrison attorney Patty Butler (now Assistant General Counsel of Turner Broadcasting) also attended with her husband Jim.

June 22, 2012 - In recognition of LGBT History Month, FordHarrison sponsored the inaugural Florida Diversity Council GLBTA Summit in South Florida. The Summit addressed the advancement of workplace equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their allies and partners. Tampa associate, Aisha Sanchez, was a presenting panelist.

Last month, FordHarrison was a Gold Sponsor for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's 24th Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., "Reaching Monumental Heights." Nearly 1,800 attorneys, judges, elected officials, political appointees, and law students attended the four-day event. FordHarrison's Diversity and Inclusion Partner, Dawn Siler-Nixon; Atlanta Partner, Ellen Ham; Dallas Associate Carolyn Lam; Tampa Associate, Aisha Sanchez; FH Solutions Group Management Consultant, Tom Harmening; and Business Development Manager, Todd Mann represented the Firm.

In a span of only four days, NAPABA delivered 42 exceptional continuing legal education courses, in addition to several specialty symposia, summits, plenary sessions, committee meetings, receptions, tours of D.C., and networking events, the 20th Annual Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, and a group community service project. The array of programs ensured each attendee a unique experience, but many of the highlights came from the conference's signature events:

Reaching Monumental Heights in Our Federal Government: Ivan Fong, Former General Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, moderated a panel of high-ranking public servants Norman Mineta (former U.S. Secretary of Transportation), Chris Lu (White House Cabinet Secretary), Carol Lam (former U.S. Attorney), and Ajit Pai, (FCC Commissioner). Mr. Mineta—who was detained in Japanese internment camps as a child—recounted a riveting play-by-play of the White House's response to the 9/11 attacks. He told of how in a Cabinet meeting, President George W. Bush rejected racial-profiling as a safety measure, stating that he did not want any other American to go through what Mr. Mineta went through as a child. Mr. Mineta's intimate insight into a national tragedy stirred patriotism within the audience.

Reaching Monumental Heights in Community Activism: Human-trafficking survivor and President of the Tronie Foundation, Rani Hong, shared her story of child slavery and abuse by an owner in India, who eventually sold her to an illegal adoption agency. Through her adoption by an American woman, Ms. Hong found safety and healing in the United States. Ms. Hong's story put a face and a voice to the global modern slavery epidemic and inspired attendees to take action.

Fisher v. University of Texas and the Future of Race-Conscious Affirmative Action Policies: In a heated debate about the university affirmative action case currently pending at the Supreme Court, James Ho (former Texas Solicitor General) moderated a panel featuring Lee Cheng and Alan Tse—both of the Asian American Legal Foundation and who submitted an amicus brief opposing affirmative action— and Neal Katyal (former Acting U.S. Solicitor General) and Karen Naraski (Asian American Justice Center) who supported briefs advocating public universities' right to use race as a student-selection factor. These distinguished panelists made passionate and persuasive arguments, but it was an Asian-American University of Texas law student who brought down the house when she bravely addressed the audience and panel to voice her opposition to affirmative action. The debate continued among attendees well after the panel's conclusion.

A Conversation with Supreme Court Justice Sonia M. Sotomayor: To cap off the exceptional conference, Justice Sotomayor intimately shared candid stories of her childhood and her rise to the country's highest court. Her inspiring story celebrated education and diligence and highlighted Justice Sotomayor's intolerance for excuses that can be overcome with initiative.

NAPABA represents the interests of more than 40,000 members to more than 60 state and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Through its legislative monitoring and legal advocacy, NAPABA serves as a resource for the public, partners, and governmental bodies at the federal, state, and local levels, on the Asian Pacific American legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts. FordHarrison proudly supported NAPABA's Annual Convention for the second consecutive year, which coincides with the firm's goal to build and sustain an inclusive workplace that mirrors the increasing diversity of its clients and the communities it serves. Next year's NAPABA Annual Convention will take place in Kansas City, Missouri in November.

For Dollar General Corporation (DG), a longtime FH friend and client, diversity happens almost by definition. Based in Goodlettsville, TN, DG is the nation's largest small-box discount retailer by number of stores. With over 10,000 stores and 11 distribution centers spread across 40 states, its 90,000+ employees represent a broad cross-section of America.

But numbers only begin to tell the story. DG has been intentional about living out its Mission of "Serving Others" and the six principles outlined on its values card, including "We believe in respecting the dignity and differences of others."

DG's approach goes beyond legally protected classes of people. The Company believes that inclusivity is not only an end in itself but also a means to an end, that is, that a diverse workforce strengthens the company and advances its overarching goals.

Rhonda Taylor, V.P. and Assistant General Counsel, explains, "We believe that it is the coming together of different people, from different backgrounds and experiences, with different thoughts and ideas, that result in the best work product and help us fulfill our mission of Serving Others."

Part of the secret is drilling deep into causes and effects. For example, Rhonda explains, if statistics show a low number of women in a certain position, the response isn't simply, "We need more women," but rather to seek answers to the question, "Why don't we have more women there?"

One answer to such questions has been to expand beyond traditional hiring pipelines. To recruit employees, DG works regularly with military and veterans' organizations, and such groups as the AARP, the Urban League, and historically black colleges and universities, to name but a few.

In addition, DG sets overall internal promotion rate goals and encourages managers to look within the organization for talent in filling positions.

Support for diversity efforts starts at the top and is built in to the company's structure:

Some years ago DG formed a Diversity Advisory Council comprised of officer-level individuals from across the company. The Council meets periodically to guide and support various diversity-related initiatives.

DG employs two full-time managers dedicated in whole or part to leading and supporting its inclusion efforts. Reflecting the priority of their assignment, both report to top-level management.

Four Employee Resource Groups (what some companies call "affinity groups") have been formed. DG sees these grass-roots entities as important tools in its efforts to improve and sustain the engagement and enthusiasm of employees at all levels.

By way of example of some things the ERGs have done: The African-American ERG has put on successful programs for Black History Month, including a well-attended annual Gala. The Military ERG routinely provides support for a local veterans' home. The Women's ERG brought together more than 100 female field leaders to a wine tasting and networking event at the Company meeting in San Antonio, Texas. The Women's and Young Professionals' groups co-hosted a lunch-and-learn related to navigating the novel four-generation workplace that exists today.

Many of these events have been videotaped and shown to employees at other locations within the Company, while other local and regional activities have involved employees at the retail store and distribution centers.

As Rhonda put it, in all this "the goal is that we will not always need to be intentional about inclusion, but rather that it becomes part of our culture—one of those things that we just ‘do' without thinking about it."

October 12, 2012 - FordHarrison Partner Kay Wolf was selected for inclusion in the Diversity Journal's "11th Annual Women Worth Watching" issue. This special issue celebrates the achievements and personalities of leading women executives across the U.S. who are nominated by their colleagues, peers, and mentors for their initiative and achievements.

It started as the dream of one person, Kay Wolf, FH partner in Orlando. It soon spread like the proverbial wildfire to the firm's offices nationwide. "Let's build a school for children in Cambodia." So we did. The fundraising project began in late August 2012. By the following October it was done—and then some.(more)

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world: Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead

The story actually began with Bernie Krisher, Newsweek's retired Tokyo Bureau Chief. Born in Germany, Krisher came to the U.S. with his parents shortly before the outbreak of World War II and the Holocaust that resulted in the deaths of six million Jews in Hitler's concentration camps.

While working out of Tokyo in the 1980s, Krisher traveled to Cambodia, where he saw firsthand the shocking aftermath of another mass murder, the deaths of some two million Cambodians at the hands of the terrorist Khmer Rouge regime, which operated during and after the war in neighboring Vietnam.

A country the size of Missouri but with more than twice its population, Cambodia struggled after the period of terror ended (and still is struggling) to get back on its feet and to help its citizens, most under 25, lead healthy and normal lives. Along with the staggering loss of human life, the physical devastation was overwhelming. Among other things, few schools were left standing.

Krisher vowed to take action. In 1993 he founded a nonprofit group now known as World Assistance for Cambodia. So far under its auspices more than 530 schools have been built in Cambodia. Groups in other countries, such as schools—and in our case, a law firm—can fund the construction of a school for a mere $15,000, an amount matched by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank¹. If donors wish, they can contribute more for "extras" for the school.

Once built, the school becomes self-sustaining²; the Cambodian government provides the teachers and curriculum. And the best part is that the children have a place to go to learn every day, and prospects for the future. Without that opportunity, particularly in poor rural areas, girls especially are at risk. Many wind up being swept away into southeast Asia's horrific sex trade. Schools can literally save lives.

After learning about all this, FordHarrison's nationwide team kicked into high gear at all levels, starting from the top.

FH managing partner Lash Harrison set the tone with a firmwide announcement to inaugurate the project. He noted it was "in keeping with our firm's commitment to public service and our recent expansion into the international community," as well as with the firm's "new global perspective on client service."

To prime the pump, equity partners not only endorsed the project but agreed that the firm would match all other firm members' gifts, dollar for dollar.

Next, around 70 of the firm's lawyers, from the youngest associates to most senior equity partners, committed to donate an amount equivalent to at least an hour of their billable time. A number contributed several times that amount. As an additional multiplier, a group of eleven equity partners volunteered to match the combined gifts of all other equity partners.

After project instigator Kay Wolf formed a steering committee of representatives of several FH offices, the brainstorming began in earnest, with lawyers and staff alike throwing in fundraising ideas. The enthusiasm was contagious.

FH senior business development manager Andy Berryman organized a pay-to-play football pool, participants in all offices could pick their favorite college and pro teams week by week. As winners and losers accumulated, so did the weekly trash talk, all for a good cause. In other firmwide fundraisers, lawyers and staff could donate specified amounts to enjoy casual Fridays, and staff members could enter a lottery for a paid day off.

Minneapolis associate Brian Cunningham conceived and carried out a firmwide Scrabble tournament. For a $60 entry fee, office teams competed in two rounds via teleconference, not for prizes but for the title "Smartest Office." Inspired by such home town intellectual heavyweights as Elvis Presley and wrestler Jerry Lawler, the Memphis team won.

In addition to firmwide fundraisers, individual offices directed their own fundraising events, geared toward regional tastes. Here is but a sampling:

The Chicago office set up a Swear Jar, to which foul-mouthed locals had to donate a certain amount for each offense. They filled the jar many times over.

In Los Angeles, not surprisingly, a wine tasting event accompanied by an upscale artsy-craftsy auction, drew a crowd and raised $1000. Among other things, the auction featured original works by legal assistants Elsa Lanz (paintings) and Anne Moreno (designer purses) and handmade necklaces donated by Myrium Wunder, a court reporting firm's sales representative.

In sun-loving Florida, Partner Tammie Rattray purchased a $10 raffle ticket for her Tampa legal assistant Dorshae Bradley, who won two nights at the Delray Beach Marriott, donated by Lexis.

Southerners showcased their love of food. Atlanta's administrative coordinator Shannon O'Brien organized cupcake wars, fueled by eight or nine bakers and some eager tasters and judges, donors all. Egged on by office manager Jonnie Huckelberry, Memphis' culinary experts prepared a lunch of chili and all the fixins, served up to hungry building occupants for a mere $5 per meal. Each Monday the Dallas office, led by associate Carolyn Lam, baked cakes and sold slices for $2 each, though some generous Texans ponied up as much as $20 for a piece. People in Jacksonville sold candy bars to everyone who wandered their way. Tampa had a cocktail hour and a luncheon.

Others pitched in spontaneously. Orlando's office manager Jennifer Martinez mentioned the project to her hair stylist, who is from Cambodia. She donated a beautiful basket filled with hair products for a silent auction. Many of you also contributed after a presentation at the FordHarrison Women Leaders Forum.

All these efforts, and many more, paid off in a big way. The firm exceeded its fundraising goal by a factor of almost six: Instead of $15,000, the firm raised more than $85,000! The FordHarrison School has already been built. It's located in a rural village in the Prey Veng province of southeastern Cambodia. And thanks to the overflowing generosity and creativity of the entire FH family, school children in that corner of the world will soon have not only a school, but solar power panels, computers, extra teachers, a garden, sports equipment, wells for clean drinking water, and whatever it takes to provide them with a good education and a promising future.

Four firm representatives plan to travel to Cambodia for the official dedication of the school on January 3, 2013. Among them will be the first dreamer, Kay Wolf.

Congratulations and thanks to all who took part in this project, far too many to name here. Together, we have made a real difference!

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1 Unfortunately, the matching funds are no longer available, the current cost to build a school is $45,000.
² Except for those "extras" that have recurring costs, e.g., teacher salaries, garden supplies.