Diversity
At Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, diversity is our value and our strength. We aim to provide our clients with the highest quality of service by building on the diverse talents and perspectives of each person with whom we work. Our firm strives to attract, retain and advance people from all backgrounds while creating an environment in which everyone is valued and respected. We believe that through proper engagement, mentorship, communication and education, our firm can empower every individual and exceed the expectations of a competitive global market. We encourage the kind of dialogue that leads to more inclusive conduct and hold ourselves accountable for setting a higher standard in our commitment to professional and social responsibility.

Following the October 1, 2007 merger of Dewey Ballantine LLP and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae LLP, the newly formed firm of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP demonstrated its desire and dedication to uphold its commitment to diversity by creating an internal Diversity Committee . This committee was formed not only to sustain our progress with respect to the recruitment, retention and advancement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, but more importantly, to give the firm's diversity efforts a fresh look and set new standards in the legal community. Our Diversity Committee is comprised of partners, associates and administrative staff from our US and international offices. To strengthen accountability and accelerate our progress, members are divided into various subcommittees that focus on recruitment, retention, outreach and promotion. The firm's Manager of Diversity plays an active role in Dewey & LeBoeuf's diversity efforts, generating support and strengthening relationships within various communities. Most recently, Dewey & LeBoeuf was ranked No. 26 in the Minority Law Journal's 2008 "Diversity Scorecard" for US firms. The score measures diversity with respect to "the overall percentage of minorities within a law firm's total number of attorneys." This is a marked improvement over last year's rankings.

For more information regarding the firm's diversity initiatives, please contact the Manager of Diversity, Christiani Franck, at or at (212) 424-8393.

Message from Firm Chairman Steven H. Davis

As Chairman, I recognize that the combination of Dewey Ballantine and LeBoeuf Lamb not only positions us to be a world class firm with an extensive global reach, but also positions us to build on each legacy firm's longstanding commitment to diversity and enables us to combine the richness of the cultures of our legacy firms. 

It is the firm's belief that a diversified staff in an inclusive environment leads to higher quality and better production. It is therefore in our best interest to actively pursue individuals from diverse backgrounds. In addition, a high level of diversity will augment the firm’s capacity to attract the best possible people. Diversity in this context is not limited to ethnicity, but also includes increased representation of women and of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and disabled professionals.

One question that is often asked is, “How do our efforts in this area relate to our primary mission of serving our clients?” The answer is simple. Our clients are themselves increasingly diverse, and require a greater degree of inclusive representation from their counsel and other service providers.

We understand that in order to continue to grow in the global market and to be the firm of choice for clients, law students, attorneys as well as employees, we must continue our efforts to ensure that diversity is integrated into all aspects of the firm and encourage behavior that will make everyone feel like an integral contributor to the firm's success.

Our firm will continue to support internal and external diversity efforts. We host events and workshops to address the diversity concerns of all partners and employees of the firm. We also support organizations whose mission it is to increase diversity in the legal profession. Many of our lawyers are involved in pro bono cases that advance diversity causes. I am proud of the firm's commitment to diversity and look forward to seeing continued progress in the future so that Dewey & LeBoeuf may exceed the expectations of a competitive global market, and be the firm of choice in the legal community.