JUSTICE, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

We are committed to driving progress in justice, diversity, equity and inclusion (JDEI) – not just at McDermott, but in our communities and the legal industry.

To empower our people, we cultivate a diverse workplace, foster a sense of belonging and provide the support each individual needs to accomplish their career goals. We work at the highest levels of Firm management to ensure equitable access to client development activities, challenging work assignments and career advancement. Our Firm-wide JDEI Committee develops educational programming and establishes best practices to create a warm culture of belonging.

Through these ongoing efforts, we have become a recognized leader in workplace diversity.

Outside of our Firm, we support organizations that champion JDEI ideals across workplaces and communities. We also dedicate significant time to pro bono and community service work that champions legal, racial and social change.

Our Racial & Ethnic Diversity Subcommittee is dedicated to building systems and amplifying voices that support an increasingly diverse Firm community. We recognize that encouraging a variety of perspectives at every level, from our summer associates to our leaders, creates a kind, inclusive culture and allows us to better serve our clients’ needs.

Through our hiring and promotion policies, we embrace people of all races and ethnicities. We also provide access to affinity groups for our Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander lawyers.

Our Gender Diversity Subcommittee drives our longstanding commitment to gender equity. We take action to develop policies and initiatives that support women within the Firm, and we recruit and promote talented lawyers and staff professionals regardless of gender.

Our market-leading benefits include parental leave and reduced time policies, parental and caregiver leave options, emergency backup child and elder care, and equitable promotion guidelines. To fuel the success of McDermott’s women, we provide targeted coaching and mentoring programs, along with dedicated learning and networking events to foster connections across practices and offices and with clients.

Our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Diversity Subcommittee influences Firm-wide programming to cultivate a supportive environment for all of our people, from an annual workplace awareness initiative to ongoing everyday efforts focused on LGBTQ+ issues.

We take proactive steps to bolster equality both within and outside of our Firm, recruiting LGBTQ+ candidates and forming pro bono partnerships with LGBTQ+ nonprofits. Our people include community leaders who are actively involved in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Many of them speak publicly and publish thought leadership on important legal and social issues.