Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are better together

Brooks Kushman recognizes the essential role that diverse perspectives and experiences bring to our workplace and our ability to serve our clients. We know that we are well-positioned to serve as change agents in our communities at large and take our role of leading by example seriously.

"At Brooks Kushman, we believe it is our responsibility to use our platform and resources to reflect our core values within the firm as well as in the local and legal communities. We strive not only to reap the benefits of patronage from the communities we serve, but also to ensure that those we employ are representative of those communities, to leave the space we occupy better than we found it, and to invest in the betterment of the markets we serve including as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), improved education, and combating poverty and insecurity.”

- Chanille Carswell, Chief Diversity Officer

Recognizing the need for change is essential to creating new paths. Over the last decade, Brooks Kushman's leadership has been diligent in leading by example through transparency with community organizations, surveys, and ongoing education. We believe things will change only with deliberate action within law firms to invest in training diverse professionals for leadership roles and providing them with high-visibility opportunities to exercise leadership. Through achieving Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus, we have committed to and will continue working toward fostering a diverse environment that is reflective of our community at every level within our firm, from new hires to firm leadership.

Brooks by the numbers

40%

of Executive Commitee Members are diverse

56%

of Practice Group Co-Chairs are diverse

33%

of Equity Shareholders are diverse

43%

of Non-Equity Shareholders are diverse

Brooks Kushman regularly seeks ways to improve our firm and the communities we serve. Our DEI plan is managed by a committee and divided into five key areas that guide our efforts:

  • Metrics and Benchmarking
  • Culture Building and Training
  • Recruiting and Pipeline Efforts
  • Career Development, Mentoring, and Team Building
  • Community Outreach

The DEI Committee comprises a diverse cross-section of the firm. Its members work together to ensure the progression of the firm’s diversity goals and the alignment of our efforts with our vision.

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Recruitment

Our future is predicated on the development of our attorneys and staff. Our recruiting efforts include engaging not only those in law school but also throughout the educational track – from high school to graduate programs – to attract and develop future legal professionals. We also seek to nurture our existing legal professionals through a robust associate development program that monitors growth and development and provides regular opportunities for guidance, training, and feedback.

Dedication to Our Local and Legal Communities

Our commitment extends beyond our workplace and includes numerous pipeline initiatives that we constantly use for benchmarking purposes to improve our efforts. We pay tribute to our pipeline partners, all of whom are tireless advocates for change. They are a source of inspiration. It is a privilege to work with them toward our shared vision of taking meaningful, measurable steps toward unraveling the effects of systemic disparities in the legal profession.

"Partnering with local and national organizations enables us to maximize our reach and marshal our resources with more impact toward the common goal of breaking down historic barriers to achieving DEI.”

- Chanille Carswell, Chief Diversity Officer

Outside of the legal community, we are also committed to bettering the communities in which we live and work. Each year, we engage with a variety of programs and efforts, including organizations such as Gleaners, Forgotten Harvest, and Habitat for Humanity. Throughout the years, our team has helped package tens of thousands of pounds of food, built houses for families in need, wrapped hundreds of presents for children spending time in the hospital during the holiday season, and much more. We have also partnered with Detroit Cristo Rey High School. Through the school’s unique work-study program, students work one day each week at our firm. This work helps students finance most of the cost of their education, gain real-world job experience, and develop self-confidence.

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