Diversity at Rhoades McKee

Rhoades McKee recognizes the importance of diversity and inclusion as an integral component for growth and development of our community and the firm. We believe that an environment of diversity and inclusion among lawyers and staff is beneficial to our morale, productivity and success.

Diversity empowers our clients and community with a variety of perspectives, a broader, richer environment and produces creative thinking and solutions. By creating a culture of inclusion, we eliminate the barriers to individuals of diverse backgrounds and reflect the composition of our community and the clients we serve.   

Working in conjunction with the Grand Rapids Bar Association and other major law firms, Rhoades McKee is a member of the Managing Partner Diversity Collaborative Agreement. Signed in 2011, these members agree to work together to promote diversity and inclusion in the West Michigan community by developing and executing a plan to expand the pipeline of persons of color and minorities entering the law profession, increase the number of attorneys of color working within the organizations, and improve the retention and advancement of female attorneys and attorneys of color over the next five years. In March of 2012, the Managing Partners Collaborative released the Action Plan which outlines the program details for this initiative.

Historically, Rhoades McKee has actively participated in the Minority Clerkship Program sponsored by the Floyd Skinner Bar Association. This program gives first-year minority law students the opportunity to clerk during the summer and become better acquainted with the opportunities for minority lawyers in West Michigan.   As a part of our on-going commitment, we:

  • utilize recruiting efforts to promote the hiring of individuals with diverse backgrounds, especially women and minorities;
  • include individuals of diverse backgrounds in our leadership, training, management and client development opportunities;
  • participate in bar association and community activities that advance diversity;
  • engage in mentoring and community activities to attract individuals of diverse background to the practice of law.

We are committed to creating a culturally competent environment which works to serve our firm, clients, and community.

 
Share
Print