NEW YORK – June 2, 2021 -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP has once again received the Morgan Stanley Leadership and Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity (LEID) Award. The annual honor is presented to an outside law firm following a survey of outside counsel, by the multinational investment bank and financial services company. Morgan Stanley utilizes the survey to evaluate firms based on various quantitative and qualitative questions, and a small handful of finalists are then interviewed on their programs. The outside counsel that is most distinguished is presented with the LEID award. “Our commitment to a diverse workforce remains strong, especially in light of recent events highlighting the need for focused, accountable actions to drive change toward greater diversity and inclusion,” Morgan Stanley noted regarding the award.
“On behalf of Greenberg Traurig, I want to thank all at Morgan Stanley involved in the selection of the Law Firm of the Year for Leadership and Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity. We are humbled, honored, and excited. Above all, we are pleased that we share Morgan Stanley’s long-standing commitment to and involvement in advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am proud that our resolve for a more diverse profession and a more just world has only strengthened since the firm was selected for this same honor 15 years ago. Our leaders believed then and have now seen the results of creating achievable short-term goals that will drive long-term change – for generations to come,” said Bradford D. Kaufman, Greenberg Traurig Co-President and the Global Chairman of Professional Development and Integration as well as Co-Chair of the Securities Litigation Group. Kaufman accepted the award on behalf of the law firm during a virtual reception in which more than 200 people participated.
“No company operates without the support of clients or customers. Leadership involves service and most professionals feel they have a responsibility to give back. Moving a diversity initiative from paper to impact takes intention,” Kaufman said. “I have had the privilege to represent Morgan Stanley during the past 35 years and therefore know the depth of its commitment to inclusion and diversity and it is truly inspirational.”
Most recently, Greenberg Traurig committed $5 million over five years to address causes and effects of systemic racism. The firm also launched a Justice Action Initiative to augment its justice oriented pro bono work by identifying new pro bono opportunities in the areas of racial, social, and economic justice and joined in creating the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance and further enhanced its already strong collaborations with organizations that include Equal Justice Works, Out Leadership, the Human Rights Campaign, and the Alliance for Asian American Justice, among others. The firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiative conducted a “Listening Tour” where DE&I leaders heard directly from employees. Furthermore, at the firm, law student recruitment includes sponsoring and participating in DE&I programs and associates are incentivized and rewarded with billable hours for DE&I-related work with the firm’s Affinity Groups providing an essential support system for members. And, to continue to expand the reach of its vision and help drive forward meaningful change, Greenberg Traurig’s Social Justice Action Academy conducts programs to educate and train employees on matters of race, justice, and equity and facilitates and encourages “Courageous Conversations” on these topics.
“Partnering with clients has allowed us to amplify the impact of and investment in DE&I,” Kaufman said. “The goal is to create a chain reaction of DE&I successes that flow through the organization. Diversity should be part of who you are, not just something you do for reporting requirements. And I am very proud to say that this is as true today as it was on Day One in 1967 when Greenberg Traurig was founded.”
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