Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As a diversity, equity, and inclusion leader within Colorado, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable society grounded in the rule of law and access to justice. With that dedication and an understanding of the significant value differences bring to the practice, we formed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee in 1999. Through this committee, we empower our lawyers to lead these efforts that impact our firm, industry, and broader community. Additionally, the firm’s co-managing partners, Kristin Lentz and Chad Williams, have made personal pledges through the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. These commitments enable them to lead by example, foster an inclusive workplace, and provide opportunities for growth through education and training.
Committee
Davis Graham Women’s Network
Women play a central role in our firm’s ongoing success, from the Executive Committee to the managing partner level and over 49% of attorneys. Through our Women’s Network, we continue to champion women in the industry and beyond.
Denver Law Firm Coalition for Equity & Inclusion
In 2020, Davis Graham came together with four other Denver-based law firms to form the Denver Law Firm Coalition for Equity & Inclusion. The Coalition works to increase equity and opportunities for all lawyers in the Denver legal community. We are united in this mission and proud to be a part of creating sustainable, long-term solutions that enrich the Denver legal community. Together we are working towards a shared goal of helping make Denver a desirable place for any attorney to build a lifelong legal practice and reach the highest levels of professional success.
Social Justice
As a full-service law firm, we recognize that we are uniquely positioned to promote a more just society for all individuals. In addition to standing in solidarity with Colorado’s diversity bar associations, we continue to prioritize our intrinsic pro bono program and volunteer involvement opportunities to combat inequities in our community. Many of our lawyers have taken advantage of these programs as a springboard for making a difference in our community, including by assisting and representing those seeking asylum in the U.S.
Community Involvement
Davis Graham is proud to play an active role in many local diversity, equity, and inclusion organizations within our community by founding, serving, participating in, and sponsoring various professional and civic organizations, such as the Colorado Lawyers Committee. Taking the B:CIVIC CEO pledge and participating in the Colorado Gives Day program are just two examples.
Legal-Based Community Involvement
Our attorneys are or have been members of the following groups and organizations:
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado
- Center for Legal Inclusiveness
- Colorado Bar Association Diverse Attorney Community Circle (CODACC)
- Colorado Bar Association, Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee
- Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
- Colorado Judicial Institute
- Colorado Legal Services
- Colorado Pledge to Diversity
- Colorado Women’s Bar Association
- Denver Law Firm Coalition for Equity & Inclusion
- Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
- Law School…Yes We Can!
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado
- LGBTQ+ Bar Association
- Metro Volunteer Lawyers
- Sam Cary Bar Association
- South Asian Bar Association of Colorado
- Women’s Foundation of Colorado
Recognition
We are proud of the efforts that we have made increase diversity and inclusion in the legal profession; acknowledgements like these tell us we’re moving in the right direction.
NLJ 500 Women’s Scorecard 2021 Ranking
The firm ranked 54th out of 350 qualifying firms in the NLJ 500 Women’s Scorecard 2021, which is determined by the firm’s percentages of female attorneys and female partners in 2020.
Denver Business Journal
The article “During Pandemic Recovery, Diversity and Inclusion is Still a Business Imperative” stated that “The diversity, equity, and inclusion committee at Davis Graham is an example of the type of forum that can foster an inclusive culture through open dialogue on employee hiring and mentoring.”
Law360 Pulse’s “2023 Women in Law Report”
In 2023, the firm ranked 20th among law firms with 101–250 lawyers.
Qwest Diversity Leadership Award
Received the inaugural award in 2023, honoring the firm’s efforts in promoting diversity.
Recruitment & Retention
Our people are our greatest asset, and promoting DEI is critical to an environment where individuals can achieve personal growth, career satisfaction, and professional accomplishment. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee works to build on this philosophy by encouraging mentorship, development, and belonging. Davis Graham’s Professional Development Department offers robust internal and external DEI training resources, which include everything from large-scale CLE seminars to one-on-one coaching.
The firm seeks candidates through targeted recruiting at local law schools and focused job fairs, as well as through lateral hiring. Partnering with the Colorado Pledge to Diversity Minority Clerkship program and Colorado law schools for targeted scholarship programs to hire first-year law students is just one example of this. Vacancies are posted on specialty bar association websites and recruited through community relationships.
Ready to Help
Connect with us to learn more about how we can help you reach your goals.