Like so many across the country, the Firm has been watching, listening, and having conversations about systemic injustice in our society. Today—in honor and recognition of Juneteenth—we state openly and passionately that Poyner Spruill stands firmly on the side of justice, equality, and truth and is dedicated to not only saying, but doing, more to ensure we are addressing racism and injustice. We encourage you to read the entire statement below, to find time today to read about and celebrate Juneteenth, and to join Firm leadership in accepting the ABA’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge©.
POYNER SPRUILL STATEMENT FOR JUSTICE
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. penned A Letter from Birmingham Jail, writing, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” His words ring true almost 60 years later as recent events highlighted foundational cracks and systemic racism that remain in our society.
The effects of these injustices have been felt around the world. We’ve been forced to see what many have seen and dealt with for years. It’s time for us to stand together. It’s time for us to speak up together.
As a Firm, we are committed to speaking out against injustice, educating ourselves, having open and honest dialogues, and examining cracks in our own foundation. We must view lives not only through our lens, but through the lenses of humans with different backgrounds and life experiences.
As attorneys, we take an oath to defend the Constitution. We are bound to seek and preserve justice for all. Therefore, as a law firm, we say clearly and unequivocally to our clients, our legal professionals, and our community that we stand firmly on the side of justice, equality, and truth.
Poyner Spruill is dedicated to not only saying, but doing, more to ensure we are addressing racism and injustice.
We recognize that change starts at home. We will create a secure place for our staff, clients, and community, in which we can grow and learn together and examine life with a different lens. We are renewing our commitment to our diversity and inclusion plan to ensure it is built on empathy, a desire to listen and learn, and fueled by intentionality, sincerity, and a pursuit of real change. As a first step, the Management Committee and the Department Heads of Poyner Spruill have accepted the ABA’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit-Building Challenge.© We further challenge all of our Firm colleagues to join us. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee will follow this first step with a 12-month plan of action.
Change means, “to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.” We are committed to being a part of the change.
We will continue to strive to be thought leaders in our community. We will strive to create change and identify how our Firm can strengthen and expand our relationships with other organizations and community leaders with similar goals: seeking justice and equality for all.
