NEW YORK – Jan. 11, 2020 – GTDRIVES: Dynamic Dialogues, Greenberg Traurig’s diversity focused podcast, continues its series on criminal justice reform with the release of a fourth episode, featuring a “Courageous Conversation” with Karen M. Kennard, a Government Law & Policy Practice shareholder in the firm’s Austin office.
The podcast is part of Greenberg Traurig’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Initiative and is hosted by firm shareholder and its Chief Diversity Officer Nikki Lewis Simon. Greenberg Traurig’s ‘Courageous Conversations’ programming is part of the firm’s Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan. It is designed so that participants share their DE&I and criminal and social justice journeys. Sharing this programming on the firm’s podcast enables a larger audience to witness these sometimes very emotional discussions.
In this episode, Kennard elaborates on her personal connection to criminal justice reform. She and her family have been involved with the Innocence Project of Texas for more than a decade. Kennard’s oldest brother, Tim Cole, was wrongfully convicted of rape more than two decades ago and died in prison in 1999, at the age of 39. In 2009, DNA testing proved his innocence, and he was the first person in Texas to receive a posthumous exoneration and posthumous pardon. In addition, the Texas exoneration compensation system and the Texas Innocence Commission are named in his honor.
GTDRIVES is the diversity platform through which Greenberg Traurig “drives” engagement, full inclusion, and equity. DRIVES is an acronym for Diversity, Retention, Inclusion, Value, Elevation, and Success, which are some of the firm’s core values. Podcast episodes address key diversity topics in the workplace and in the news.
Listen to previous episodes:
- Episode 1: A Courageous Conversation with A. Michael Pratt - Part 1
- Episode 2: A Courageous Conversation with A. Michael Pratt - Part 2
- Episode 3: A Courageous Conversation with Karen Kennard - Part 1
The podcast is available on the firm’s website and on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify.
About Greenberg Traurig’s Diversity Initiative: From its inception, Greenberg Traurig has been committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Greenberg Traurig is a uniquely empowering and diverse firm built on a foundation of fairness, equality, and authenticity. Through its Social, Racial, and Economic Justice Action Plan, the firm has committed $5 million over five years to help combat systemic racism and support impoverished communities. In addition, the firm’s efforts have been recognized through its Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certification, administered by The Diversity Lab, and by local, national, and global publications and organizations including Chambers and Partners. Web: DRIVES Twitter: @GT_Drives
About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT), has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com