Diversity: The Freeborn & Peters Commitment
Central to Our Culture
Freeborn & Peters recognizes that creating a diverse workplace goes beyond encouraging opportunity for people of all races, genders, and sexual orientations. It means creating an environment where each individual is treated with dignity and afforded the opportunity to achieve his or her maximum potential. That is why diversity and mutual respect are embodied in the Firm’s Statement of Values as key components of Freeborn & Peters’ unique culture.
The Diversity Committee – Senior-level Attention
We also recognize that creating a diverse workplace involves more than just words. It involves the commitment of resources and, most importantly, action. For this reason, our Diversity Committee consists of a Co-Managing Partner, a Co-Chair of the Recruiting Committee, a member of the Professional Review Committee, a member of the Steering Committee of the Women’s Leadership Council, the Executive Director, the Human Resources Director, and two Equity Partners. The Diversity Committee reports to the equity partnership on a regular basis.
Promoting Opportunity
The Committee’s mission is to stimulate, nurture and encourage a firm culture that advocates inclusion and celebrates the different backgrounds and perspectives of our attorneys and other personnel. To accomplish this, the Diversity Committee identifies and promotes opportunities to recruit, hire, develop, promote and retain the most qualified attorneys representing the varied viewpoints and experiences of different races, ethnic groups, genders, sexual orientations, ages, religions, national origins and disabilities. The Diversity Committee also identifies and promotes opportunities to enhance mutual understanding, respect and appreciation of the different points of view and life experiences that each individual contributes to the workplace.
Alternative Work Arrangement Policy and Mentor Program
The firm recently adopted an Alternative Work Arrangement policy to support attorneys who may require such flexibility to address a variety of work/life issues. We also implemented a formal mentor program to focus on the retention and development of attorneys and to increase representation of women and attorneys of color at the partnership level.
Scholarship and Work Study Programs
The Firm has sponsored a variety of events and initiatives in the legal community. Starting in 2008, and in conjunction with its 25th anniversary, Freeborn & Peters will fund an annual scholarship program for a law student of color from among the six Chicago-area law schools.
The firm will also be a participant in the Cristo Rey Work/Study Program in order to expose area high school students to the legal profession.
Sponsorships
Additionally, Freeborn & Peters will be a proud sponsor of a number of events in 2008, including:
• The Chicago Asian American Bar Association's 20th Anniversary Gala
• The Vault/MCCA Career Fair
• The Illinois Judicial Council Annual Dinner
• The National Bar Association Mid-Year Conference Welcome to Chicago Reception
• The Gertrude E. Rush Award Dinner
• The Cook County Bar Association Law Day Program
• The Cook County Bar Association Annual Awards Gala
• The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms Gala
Diverse Perspectives, Endless Possibilities
Our commitment to diversity is strong and ongoing. We are proud of the progress we have made, and we believe this commitment is yet another way in which Freeborn & Peters will continue to provide the outstanding legal services for which it is known.
