Butler Snow is among more than 175 law firms to join the newly formed Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), a collaboration aimed to identify and dismantle structural or systemic racism in the law.
In joining the LFAA, Butler Snow and fellow participating firms commit “to leverage the resources of the private bar in partnership with legal services organizations to amplify the voices of communities and individuals oppressed by racism, to better use the law as a vehicle for change that benefits communities of color and to promote racial equity in the law.” Additionally, law firms “acknowledge their ongoing responsibility to increase diversity, equitable access to opportunities and inclusion of people of color within their ranks and, in tandem with the LFAA’s pro bono efforts, the leaders of LFAA law firms are committed to examining and eliminating internal policies and practices that may perpetuate racial inequities within law firm structures.”
The LFAA aims to achieve this mission through various courses of action, including the creation of large-scale, coordinated pro bono projects that are both immediate and long-term in scope, as well as the implementation of legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies to change laws, rules, policies and practices identified by LFAA member firms. The alliance plans to hold regular summits, with its first virtual summit occurring in this summer.
“Butler Snow recognizes that the acknowledgment of racism and social injustice is not enough – it must be accompanied by meaningful action,” said Christopher R. Maddux, chair of Butler Snow. “We are proud to partner with other law firms and legal organizations to combat systemic racism in the law, in government institutions and within our own organization.”
Butler Snow believes that inclusion and diversity are key drivers of innovation and creativity. The firm’s culture is rooted in collaboration and partnership, and an inclusive environment is paramount to preserving that culture and delivering an elevated level of client service.
Butler Snow’s inclusivity committee, firm leadership and recruiting practices ensure that the firm accurately reflects the diverse clients they serve and fosters diversity within the larger legal community. The firm is also a proud member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, both of which work to build a more diverse and inclusive legal profession.