What Biglaw Is Saying About The Unrest Sweeping The Nation

From: Ingis, Stuart

Date: Thursday, Jun 04, 2020, 3:31 PM

To: Firm Personnel

Subject: Working Together to Fight Racism

 

As we continue to process our anger at the wholly unacceptable actions resulting in the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, the Management Committee and individuals across Venable have been discussing ways to respond as a firm.  These horrific events have deeply impacted all of us and have been particularly painful for the African-American community.

 

As you know, earlier in the week I sent out an email to the firm from the Management Committee sharing our feelings.  We have also published a public statement from the firm.

 

The Management Committee, multiple practice groups, and the Venable Success Network, the firm’s network of African-American attorneys, have engaged in conversations discussing these recent events, as well as the history of police brutality against African-Americans, and the impact of systemic racism on our society.  All are united in our opposition to racism.  We’ve focused on how to come together and support each other as a community of colleagues, how we can support others in this challenging time, and ideas to advance and enhance progress on our ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

 

Venable has a long history of opposing racism, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting others who share these values.  We’ve made progress as a firm and made significant contributions over many years both economically and in the direct engagement of attorneys and staff to progress in our communities.  Yet, we can and must do more.  Recent events once again highlight that there is still much work to be done to end racism and promote diversity and inclusion.  We all have a part to play—as a firm, as individuals, and in our communities.

 

An important step we should take is to better understand the challenges our African-American colleagues have experienced and are living today and how we can support them.  We will provide several forums for education and conversation in the days and weeks ahead.  Lisa Tavares, who chairs the Venable Success Network, will facilitate a firmwide event featuring Venable attorneys who will share their experiences with racism and the fight for equality and justice.  We will also provide additional opportunities in the coming days for attorneys and professional staff to connect and engage in discussions in smaller groups.  This will involve openly discussing and learning from each other in a respectful and constructive manner.

 

The Venable Foundation and the firm’s pro bono initiative are well-established and well-positioned to continue to support community organizations on the front lines of these issues while providing opportunities for individual attorneys to contribute their talents.  Seth Rosenthal sent an email yesterday highlighting relevant pro bono matters that need your support.  We encourage you to engage in these efforts.  The Venable Foundation will contribute $100,000 to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.  The Foundation will also contribute an additional $100,000 to organizations in our communities that are making a difference on these matters.  If you would like to recommend a relevant organization in your community to receive funding, please email Michael Bigley, Director of the Venable Foundation.

 

The firm’s work to advance diversity and inclusion is an ongoing area of focus.  Several initiatives begun last year and designed to enhance our efforts and outcomes are being finalized.  We will share more details during a firm update later this month.

 

Tackling these challenges is not a one-time event and requires ongoing and collective efforts.  Collectively and individually we can redouble our resolve and efforts to achieve meaningful and positive change in our society.

 

Stu

 

Stuart P. Ingis | Chairman | Venable LLP
t 202.344.4613 | f 202.344.8300
600 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20001