|  Harris Beach PLLC is proud to be part of a significant milestone in Rochester history with the recent unanimous election of H. Todd Bullard to equity membership in the law firm (see related press release).
In its March 28 story about Mr. Bullard becoming a member of Harris Beach, the Democrat & Chronicle headline stated, “Bullard is only black partner in non-minority firm here.” The story further mentioned the fact that this event was the first time in 22 years that an African-American was elected to partnership status in a majority-owned Rochester law firm. Mr. Bullard told the Democrat & Chronicle, “I am humbled by the historical significance and the message this event sends to those young African-American legal professionals who aspire to reach the highest levels at one of the nation's largest law firms. The message is it can be done with hard-work, dedication and community support.”
Harris Beach CEO James A. Spitz, Jr. said: “Todd's presence strengthens our existing commitment to a diverse, high quality workforce to meet the needs of our clients.”
The election of Mr. Bullard to membership is a continuation of a long tradition of diversity groundbreaking by Harris Beach. Beth Ela Wilkens, who chairs the firm's Diversity Council, made Rochester history in 1986 when she was the first woman and youngest attorney to be elected president of the Monroe County Bar Association. The following year, she became the first woman to become the chair of the board of directors of the YMCA and later became the first woman to chair the Business Law Section of the New York Bar Association and the board of a major local hospital. “That was considered ground breaking news back then,” she said. “Today, women are represented in leadership roles throughout the business world and the community at large.” In the legal profession, Harris Beach is noted for having a higher proportion of equity women members (partners) than the national average based on a report issued last year by the National Association of Women Lawyers. The firm is also above the national average with respect to the number of female associates as a percentage of total associates.
Building on a tradition of inclusion, acceptance and mutual respect, Harris Beach launched a major diversity initiative when it hired the nationally well-known diversity training and consulting firm Roosevelt Thomas.
“We recognize that a diverse workforce is good business and the right thing to do,” said Mr. Spitz. “Our focus is much broader than a statistical approach to diversity, and Roosevelt Thomas is helping us find additional ways of welcoming different perspectives in order to enhance both our work environment and the service we offer to our clients.”
Roosevelt Thomas worked with the entire firm by first conducting a series of interviews of individuals and holding various focus groups to determine the firm's approach to diversity and the level of awareness of diversity among individuals and groups. The consulting firm then conducted diversity training for all Harris Beach members. Roosevelt Thomas also assisted Harris Beach in the formation of its Diversity Council, and regularly advises the Council on ensuring a best practices approach to achieving a vibrant and diverse workforce. The Harris Beach Diversity Council is composed of attorneys and administrative personnel throughout the firm from various departments and job classifications.
Among Harris Beach's practices that promote diversity:
• The firm provides flex-time work schedules for attorneys and administrative staff and accommodates work from home.
• Unlike traditional law firm practice, many attorneys with part-time schedules can remain on the partnership track and have been elected to partnership.
• In recognizing today's life styles, the firm provides benefits to domestic partners.
• Harris Beach is considered diverse-friendly in its recruiting efforts by focusing on a candidate's skills, education, and experience.
• The firm has hired and accommodates the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Harris Beach also has a holiday schedule that is cognizant and respectful of different groups.
“Diversity is a way of life for us at Harris Beach,” said Ms. Wilkens. Last year, in a Rochester Business Journal supplement about the firm's 150 th anniversary, Ms. Wilkens said: “(Harris Beach) has always been a place that supported individuals' ability to create their own careers. We're not all from the same mold. That makes it a dynamic place to be.” |
