Tate Ogburn, Partner, is the chair of the firm’s Diversity and Recruiting Committee. The firm has a history of participation in initiatives through the N.C. Bar Association, as well as private efforts, to recruit and retain a diverse work force at the firm.
We have had significant success in recruiting and advancing women. However, we have not yet had the success we wanted with minority attorneys. In 2004, we initiated special efforts to increase our success in recruiting and advancing minority attorneys and staff. We are pleased that two of the three new associates hired as part of the September 2009 class are minority attorneys.
The Diversity Committee has investigated the options to increase the number of diverse attorneys who apply for positions at our firm, and initiated a formal outreach program at the law schools. We have hosted panel discussions about topics of interest to law students and are working with law school recruitment offices to increase our applicant pool.
Due to these initiatives, we have been fortunate to be able recruit law students from diverse backgrounds to our summer law clerk programs. Our Diversity Committee continues to explore methods to increase our ability to recruit and retain minority attorneys and staff. Ours is a culture where diversity and inclusion are valued, and we hope to make further strides in this area.