

DiversityHelping clients achieve their goals is the number one priority at Waller Lansden. Ours has historically been a culture in which diversity is an inextricable part of the fabric woven throughout the firm. We believe that a diverse group of attorneys not only ensures that we are reflective of the clients we serve, but it leads to a higher level of service. By recognizing and valuing the experience and points of view of a diverse group of individuals, we are able to provide more innovative solutions to the challenges faced by our clients.
Waller Lansden’s commitment to diversity entails a long history of leadership in the recruitment and retention of women and minority attorneys. Waller Lansden was the first majority firm in Nashville with both male and female African-American partners. In 2004 the firm formalized its commitment to diversity by establishing a committee to assist the firm's Board of Directors and ensure that our diversity goals receive the highest priority status. The importance of the Diversity Committee is reflected by the fact that the committee is chaired by John Tishler, who also serves as chairman of the firm. The Diversity Committee also includes Waverly Crenshaw, Lela Hollabaugh, Beth Blankenship and Jessica Gichner.
Since 2000 Waller Lansden’s attorney roster has grown by approximately 50 percent. During the same period, the number of women and minority attorneys practicing at the firm has increased by more than 70 percent. This growth has been accomplished by actively seeking minority candidates in our Summer Associate Program, by hiring permanent attorneys through a broad range of minority recruiting activities at the campus level and by participating each year at the Southeastern Minority Job Fair where we are able to extend our minority recruiting efforts to a broader number of law schools. We are not satisfied, however, with the national average growth (according to the ABA) that we have accomplished through our efforts. We continue to strive to achieve greater diversity within our firm. For its commitment to workplace diversity, Waller Lansden was featured in the 2008 edition of the Vault/MCCA Guide to Law Firm Diversity Programs, published by Vault Career Library in cooperation with the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Another vital aspect of our firm's commitment to diversity is outreach to the community. Many of our attorneys, paralegals and staff are actively involved with organizations that represent the unique interests and concerns of minorities, women, children/youth, veterans and the economically disadvantaged. We also have developed educational programs for our clients and the community on issues such as immigration, affirmative action and the multinational workforce. Waller Lansden provides equal benefits to domestic partners of attorneys, paralegals and staff. Women’s Initiative
According to statistics published by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, from 1975 to 2002, the representation of women professionals at law firms increased from 14.4 percent to more than 40 percent. The number of women attorneys at Waller Lansden has grown similarly over the past three decades, and the Women’s Initiative was established to expand the firm’s ability to recruit and retain women attorneys. The initiative also serves to enhance the professional development of women attorneys with a focus on building long-term careers with the firm.
Waller Lansden’s Women’s Initiative provides for peer mentoring between experienced attorneys and younger associates, conducts specialized training programs addressing issues faced by women professionals at all stages of their practice careers, organizes special networking events and teaches business development skills. Our women attorneys also are actively involved in numerous professional and business organizations. This involvement serves to expand their professional networks as well as to provide leadership opportunities. Organizations in which Waller Lansden women attorneys have been active include:
Waller Lansden also provides financial support to a wide range of organizations and events that support women and women in business:
Awards and Recognition
Our attorneys, paralegals and staff members are actively involved in a wide range of organizations in Nashville, Los Angeles and Birmingham that focus on issues of diversity and economic opportunity within the legal profession and the community. Recognition received by the firm for these efforts includes:
Cultural Diversity and Economic Opportunity
Waller Lansden extends financial support to a wide range of organizations whose missions focus on diversity and the development of economic opportunity within minority communities. A partial listing of recent events and programs for which the firm provides assistance includes:
For additional information on diversity at Waller Lansden, contact Beverly Hedrick, Director of Business Development, at Beverly.Hedrick@wallerlaw.com. |