Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion Award
Previous Award Recipients:
2016 | Nationwide Insurance Company 2017 | Ohio Attorney General's Office 2018 | Perez & Morris LLC 2019 | Littler Mendelson P.C. 2021 | Perez & Morris LLC 2022 | Carpenter Lipps & Leland LLP 2023 | Epstein Becker Green 2024| Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease LLP
Congratulations to the 2024 DEI Champion Award Winner Vorys Sater Seymour & Pease LLP!

Description/Criteria:
The Ohio Women’s Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee seeks to recognize a law firm, company or other legal organization that has a demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within the profession. The DEI Committee will consider an applicant’s trailblazing efforts in one or more of the following ways:
1. Leadership commitment. For example, fostering leadership development, innovation and knowledge sharing within the organization that enhances the status of diverse individuals in the legal profession, using the organization’s power and resources to advance the position of diverse individuals in the legal profession and in their community, and demonstration of commitment to DEI at the organization’s leadership level.
2. Inclusive culture. For example, creating and empowering affinity groups and/or diversity committees within the organization, providing efforts to foster a sense of belonging among diverse groups, providing employee resource groups (ERGs) to address the needs and interests of specific demographics within the organization
3. Diversity metrics. For example, specific data to show measurable impact in retaining, developing, promoting, and empowering diverse individuals in the organization and in the legal profession, through substantive work assignments and organization leadership opportunities.
4. Training and education. For example, educational programming on issues of importance to diverse individuals throughout the legal community and integration of diversity education into onboarding processes.
5. Equitable policies. For example, implementing policies that demonstrably increased opportunities for diverse individuals in the legal profession and policies that promote equity in hiring, promotions, and compensation.
For purposes of this award, diverse is defined as lawyers who are women, Person of Color (POC), including disabilities and/or LGBTQ+ community members.
Application Questions:
1. Has the organization won any award recognizing its diversity efforts from any other organization? If yes, please comment what awards your organization has received.
2. Is the organization certified (or in the process of being certified) as a Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule participant or any other equivalent certification or matrix to measure diversity and have a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership? If so, please share how the Mansfield Rule certification has helped your organization to diversify leadership, among other attributes?
3. A supporting statement, of no longer than 500 words, describing how and why the company, law firm or organization deserves the DEI Champion Award. Include information that relates to the above criteria and other details, such as the quantitative and qualitative impact of the organization’s trailblazing efforts.
Nominations here. Nominations are due by April 18, 2025
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