Diversity

The Sedgwick Philosophy

Sedgwick has earned a well-deserved reputation as a firm that places high value on developing top-notch lawyers committed to the practice of law. This reputation was built by creating a collegial environment in which Sedgwick lawyers are able to work closely, share ideas and grow in their practice.

Sedgwick’s philosophy is that our attorneys as well as our clients benefit from the creative legal thinking that emerges from collaboration among people who bring diverse experiences to the table. We know that it is often an individual's unique background that fuels the development of ideas that reframe or solve complex issues and results in superior resolutions. Sedgwick employees enjoy working in an environment where all points of view are thoughtfully considered before final decisions are made.

The Sedgwick Path to Diversity

Sedgwick’s Diversity Committee

The firm’s goal is to continually improve the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse lawyers at Sedgwick. The firm does not rely on policy statements or directives to achieve this goal. It is clear that the commitment to diversity is too important to leave the task to proclamations or press releases. Sedgwick’s Diversity Committee works closely with the firm’s practice group leaders and managing partners to make sure the firm’s diversity goals are achieved. In fact, the Diversity Committee is comprised of Diversity chairs from each of the firm’s offices, with each chair responsible for implementing diversity-related activities. The Diversity Committee collaborates with the firm’s Recruitment Committee in seeking talented minority lateral candidates and law students. Both committees communicate regularly with the various affinity groups at the firm to ensure that diverse lawyers at the firm are involved in identifying ways in which the firm can improve its efforts at recruiting, retaining and advancing diverse lawyers at Sedgwick.

Sedgwick’s Affinity Groups

There are four affinity groups at the firm. They include the African American Lawyers Forum, the LGBT Action Committee, the Asian American Lawyers Forum and the Women’s Forum. With the firm’s support, members of these affinity groups have been active in various minority bar organizations and events. They have also assisted the firm in reaching out to potential lateral candidates, mentoring current Sedgwick lawyers and offering recommendations on ways to improve the firm’s diversity efforts. Perhaps the greatest benefit from the firm’s affinity groups is that they have enhanced communication within the firm and improved the firm’s ability to learn from the unique experiences of our diverse lawyers.

The firm supports the events and programs of our affinity groups. These activities include events hosted by the Sedgwick Women’s Forum, the National Bar Association annual conference, as well as sponsorship of the GLAAD Awards and various minority bar association annual events.

Sedgwick’s Minority Recruiting

Sedgwick actively participates in the various national, regional and local minority law student job fairs, including the CLEO Job Fair and the BLSA national and regional job fairs. The firm has also identified law schools with a large number of diverse law students, where we conduct on-campus interviews. These efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the firm’s number of diverse summer associates over the last few years.

Sedgwick’s Involvement with Diversity Programs and Organizations

The firm is a reliable supporter of the Minority Corporate Counsel Program and the California Minority Corporate Counsel Program. Members of the firm have served on programs conducted by these two well-respected organizations as well as on the ABA Pipeline Initiative and the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. The firm is a signatory to the diversity goals and principles of the New York Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Members of the firm have served on the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Diversity in the Profession Sub-Committee. Several members have also served in leadership positions with the California Association of Black Lawyers, the Japanese American Bar Association, and the Chinese American Lawyers Association, to name a few.

Sedgwick’s Policies Foster a Diverse Environment

The firm’s benefits policies have served to enhance diversity at the firm. For instance, Sedgwick offers comprehensive medical and dental benefits to domestic partners. The firm also has a generous parental leave policy after the birth of a child, regardless of sexual orientation.

Sedgwick’s Commitment to Diversity Is Enduring

While Sedgwick’s progress in bringing diverse lawyers to the firm is promising, we recognize the need to remain vigilant. Through the institutional structures developed at the firm and the dynamic people who are committed to creating and expanding our diverse workplace, Sedgwick will continue to make progress and face the challenges to diversity with confidence.

For more information about our firm's diversity initiatives, please contact our Diversity Committee Chair, Craig Barnes.