Diversity

Schiff Hardin maintains a deep commitment to diversity in our firm, the legal community and all of society. From supporting various law student organizations and providing scholarships to promising law students to mentoring and career development activities, our attorneys continuously work to develop diverse legal talent within the Firm. Our active Women's Networking Group provides support for the female attorneys at Schiff Hardin and fosters relationships between female executives within our client base.

Our attorneys are active in many minority, ethnic and women's organizations that enhance Schiff Hardin's ability to foster diversity in the legal and professional world.

Schiff Hardin's commitment to diversity extends to our contracting with outside vendors. When purchasing products or services, we understand that engaging minority- and women-owned businesses benefits both parties and strengthens the business community as a whole.

National Recognition

Schiff Hardin has received the following national media coverage for its initiatives involving diversity and women attorneys, as well as workplace quality of life:

"2007 Top 100 Law Firms For Diversity" — Schiff Hardin was named to MultiCultural Law's 2007 "Annual Edition." This is the third year Schiff Hardin has been named to the list.
"Top 25 Firms for Women" — Schiff Hardin was ranked 17th in the March/April 2005 edition of Diversity and the Bar, a publication of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.
"2006 Top 100 Law Firms For Diversity" — Schiff Hardin was ranked 65th out of the top 100 in MultiCultural Law's 2006 "Annual Edition."
"Top Law Firms For Associates" — Ranked 10th out of the Top 50 in MultiCultural Law's 2006 "Annual Edition."
"Top 25 Places to Work in Chicago" — Schiff Hardin ranked 7th in the October 2004 edition of Chicago Magazine and was the highest-ranked law firm on the list.
The Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms, October 2004 Edition, recognized Schiff Hardin as a great firm for associates to build their careers. Among major law firms in the U.S., we ranked in the Top 20 for "Informal Training & Mentoring," "Pro Bono," "Satisfaction," "Associate/Partner Relations," and "Diversity for Women."

Diversity Committee

Schiff Hardin's Diversity Committee enhances our ability to recruit, hire, retain and promote a diverse professional workforce on the basis of demonstrated merit by maintaining an inclusive culture that promotes success for all of our lawyers.

By sponsoring and developing activities with key minority, ethnic and women's organizations, the Diversity Committee at Schiff Hardin ensures that the firm is actively promoting diversity in the legal profession.

The Diversity Committee meets at least once a month to:

Set goals for diversity
Monitor and promote the development of diverse lawyers at our firm
Pursue a variety of diversity initiatives

Minutes of the Diversity Committee meetings are provided to every lawyer at our firm, and a report from the Diversity Committee is a regular agenda item for meetings of our firm's Executive Committee, practice group leaders, partners’ and associates meetings.

Associates play critical roles on the Diversity Committee, to which they devote substantial time and attention. Under the supervision of Diversity Committee members, several dozen associates have organized themselves into task forces that focus on a variety of initiatives including: