The First Biglaw Firm To Offer Billable Diversity Hours For All Timekeepers

This initiative will recognize and reward all diversity-related work and activities at the firm.

Biglaw firms are finally starting to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to diversity and inclusion. At least two firms — Dorsey & Whitney in 2019 and Hogan Lovells in 2021 — have announced that approved diversity and inclusion-related work will be billable for attorneys and will count toward bonus thresholds. Now, another leading law firm has stepped forward to announce that all timekeepers, not just lawyers, will be able to receive billable-hours credit for their diversity work. The firm is the first to offer a program like this.

Reed Smith, a firm that came in at #26 in the latest Am Law 100 rankings, announced this new policy earlier this week. Under this new protocol, all timekeepers at the firm will be able to allocate up to 50 hours of work and activities related to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program (DE&I), its Women Initiative Network program (WINRS), and its Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) as billable time. This policy takes effect immediately and is retroactive to January 1, 2021. Here’s a very thorough list of what will be counted for billable credit at Reed Smith:

The DE&I, REAP and WINRS work and activities that qualify for credit include:

  • Leading or organizing events, activities or projects;
  • Serving in a leadership role on firm committees or sub-committees;
  • Developing or delivering training programs related to diversity or gender issues;
  • Presenting at, or preparing materials for use in, diversity- and gender-related programs;
  • Attending training programs or conferences related to diversity or gender issues;
  • Participating in Reed Smith’s reverse mentoring program, or serving as a mentor or sponsor in an effort to support diverse talent; and,
  • Participating in client-sponsored or promoted diversity- and gender-related activities.

Casey Ryan, Reed Smith’s Global Head of Legal Personnel, explained the firm’s rationale behind offering diversity-related billable hours for all timekeepers:

This policy enhances our robust Associate Life initiative,” said “Working on diversity initiatives provides an opportunity to lead on issues of import, build leadership skills and make connections, all experiences that benefit associates in the development of their lawyering and other professional skills.

Reed Smith’s Global Managing Partner Sandy Thomas had this to say:

Building an inclusive culture is integral to our business and should be rewarded and incentivized, not left to chance. Diversity is an area where Reed Smith has always been a leader in the legal industry, and this new policy is a real investment behind our own commitment and goals.

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The move to billable diversity-related hours is part of a larger effort at the firm. By 2024, Reed Smith hopes to see a 50% increase of Black lawyers, improvement of Black lawyer and staff attrition rates, and an increase in the percentage of Black leadership in the firm. Billable credit is a great way to make sure everyone at the firm is pulling toward these very important goals.

Earlier: Care About Biglaw Diversity? Well, Now You Can Bill For It
Biglaw Firm Introduces ‘Diversity Hours’ That Count Toward Associate Billable Requirements


Staci ZaretskyStaci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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