Fisher Phillips’ Immigration Practice Recognized for Diversity Representation

Fisher Phillips, one of the country’s preeminent labor and employment law firms representing employers, is proud to announce that its Global Immigration Practice Group has been named a 2021 “Inclusion Blueprint Champion” by Diversity Lab. The honor was bestowed upon the practice group for its efforts to proactively track and take action on inclusion practices that ensure underrepresented lawyers have fair and equal access to quality work, influential sponsors, and other opportunities.

Diversity Lab’s Inclusion Blueprint provides law firm management and practice group leaders with a roadmap of inclusion practices, and of the 62 law firms that participated, Fisher Phillips’ was one of only 20 firms that met or exceeded the eligibility criteria to have a practice group recognized among the “champions.”

The firm’s Global Immigration Practice Group’s champion status was based on four key indicators: (1) current diversity representation based on average or above-average thresholds, (2) year-over-year diversity representation progress, (3) diversity representation tracking, and (4) meaningful inclusion practices and activities. Champions also had to commit to implementing at least one “Do Something Hard” action in 2022, which include (1) providing matter credit to unrepresented lawyers for originating or expanding work, (2) staffing client teams with at least 50% underrepresented lawyers who have direct access to clients, and (3) committing to an Ally Action Pledge.

“We are committed to implementing inclusion actions and practices that correlate to greater diversity, and we are proud to be recognized for our efforts,” said Shanon Stevenson, co-chair of the firm's Global Immigration Practice Group and chair of the firm's Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee. “This recognition comes on the heels of Fisher Phillips earning Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification earlier this year, and, as a practice group, we will continue to contribute to the firm’s momentum in furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession.”

Co-chair of the practice group, Davis Bae, added, “our immigration team is made up of lawyers who speak multiple languages, lead in various communities of color, and have an understanding of key jurisdictions worldwide, and this diversity of perspectives truly delivers better results for our clients while enriching all of our lives on a daily basis. It is my honor to help lead such a great group, and I’m looking forward to everything we can continue to accomplish as an inclusive practice.”

The Inclusion Blueprint was created by Diversity Lab and launched in partnership with ChIPs in 2018 to measure and track the gender diversity and inclusion in firm leadership and Intellectual Property practice groups in law firms.

The full Inclusion Blueprint report can be viewed here.

About Fisher Phillips (www.fisherphillips.com) 

The employment equation is changing faster than ever, and for employers, anticipating the challenges and opportunities that come with change are critical to success. With over 500 attorneys across the country, Fisher Phillips connects employers with labor and employment talent to help them navigate unprecedented workplace disruption. Through our technology-driven approach, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and ability to serve as a trusted business partner, we provide employers with innovative solutions to their most challenging workplace matters.

About Diversity Lab

Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. Experimental ideas — such as the OnRamp Fellowship, the Inclusion Blueprint, and the Mansfield Rule — are created through Diversity Lab’s Hackathons and piloted in collaboration with more than 200 top law firms and legal departments across the country. Diversity Lab leverages data, behavioral science, design thinking, and technology to further develop and test new ideas and research, measure the results, and share the lessons learned.

About ChIPs

ChIPs is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing and connecting women in technology, law, and policy. ChIPs seeks to accelerate innovation in these areas by increasing diversity of thought, participation, and engagement. At ChIPs, members are united in the belief that diversity, of all types, is essential to innovation and to a thriving, evolving society. Membership is open to anyone who shares this mission. Founded in 2005 by seven women chiefs of intellectual property, it has expanded beyond those roots, now with over 3,000 members and nine regional chapters in the United States and abroad. Many members are engaged at the heart of current events — as active participants in the lawmaking, policymaking, judicial, advocacy, and innovation processes.