Mintz Managing Member Bob Bodian was a featured speaker at this year’s GOOD (Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity) Guys program titled “Law Firm Leader Edition,” which took place virtually on September 23. Created by the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations, GOOD Guys is a national movement to engage male leadership in diversity and inclusion for exponential change.

During the Law Firm Leader Edition program, panelists, including Mr. Bodian; Ben Wilson, Chair of Beveridge and Diamond; Jeffrey Fiarman, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Frontdoor, Inc.; and Vincent Sliowski, Managing Partner of Harris Bricken, discussed the value and benefits of diversifying firms and companies at the highest levels of management and ownership, as well as how to overcome obstacles to diversity.

“It was a pleasure to take part in this important and timely discussion alongside other industry leaders working to drive greater diversity in their respective firms and companies,” said Mr. Bodian. “As Mintz continues to make progress in diversifying its ranks through recruitment and retention efforts, as well as a commitment to promoting women and diverse attorneys to leadership roles, it is imperative that we keep learning and engaging in these conversations to identify new ways to make the firm a more inclusive environment.”

Over the past year, Mintz has doubled down on its longstanding commitment to addressing racism and injustice in the United States, increasing diversity and inclusion at the firm and in the legal community, and driving greater civic engagement at all levels. Specifically, Mintz announced a multi-step diversity and inclusion plan, which included a firm goal of increasing the number of Black attorneys by 50% by June 2022, and continuing to undertake social justice reform work on a pro bono basis, among several other actions. The firm also set the trend for many others in the legal industry by giving attorneys and professional staff a paid day off on Election Day to vote and engage in related activities. In addition, Member Narges M. Kakalia was appointed the firm’s first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and continues to partner with firm leadership to drive this important work. In 2020, the firm interviewed and hired its most diverse class of Summer Associates to date, and also elevated an incredibly diverse class of attorneys to partnership. More information on these initiatives and others is available in Mintz’s 2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report.

Mintz is consistently recognized for its innovative diversity and inclusion efforts, including by Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Vault, and many others. Firm leaders and attorneys have also received individual accolades for their dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Learn more about Mintz’s commitment to diversity here.