Diversity Equity & Inclusion

Continuing to build a future where everyone belongs

Commitment to Moving Forward

At Balch, we embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as core values of the firm. Our dedication to providing excellent client service is rooted in our commitment to cultivating an environment where people of all backgrounds, characteristics, and perspectives are valued for their contributions, skills, and talents. We actively recruit, hire, mentor, develop, advance, and retain a diverse team and foster an inclusive environment that encourages respect, camaraderie, and community for all. 

Key Priorities

Culture
Foster a Connected & Supportive Culture

We foster an inclusive environment by building and expanding opportunities for personal accountability and growth. In support of this effort, we host a learning series designed to provide actionable steps in fostering a workplace where everyone is empowered to reach their full potential. We also promote educational experiences that celebrate our unique diversity and collective success.

Leadership
Demonstrate Active Leadership Commitment

We strive to demonstrate active leadership commitment by encouraging personal accountability, sharing success for progress, and incorporating DEI goals into work practices and policies, annual assessments and succession planning, business development, as well as professional and leadership development.

Talent
Strengthen Diverse Talent Pipeline & Representation

We work to strengthen a diverse legal talent pipeline by leading diversity pipeline programs, recruiting at diversity-focused events and fairs, hosting mentoring and networking events for underrepresented law students, and training our teams to identify and remove any barriers to recruiting with a diverse lens.

Development
Develop & Advance Underrepresented Lawyers

We develop and promote lawyers of underrepresented groups by supporting internal and external opportunities for mentorship and professional development through active affinity networks for our lawyers of color (Balch BLOCC) and women lawyers (Women’s Initiative). We also host regular business and professional development programming and review qualitative feedback as part of our exit interview processes. 

Community
Partner with Our Clients & Communities

We work to extend our commitment to DEI beyond our workplace by supporting diverse and minority bar associations, organizations, and community-led initiatives, and identifying opportunities to collaborate with clients on our efforts to increase, advance and support DEI initiatives within our respective organizations and the legal profession.

Programs for Progress
  • DE&I Learning Series

    We believe that strengthening the diversity and equity within the firm begins with ensuring inclusion and that for us to successfully advance in the DE&I space each member has to lend a hand to ensure that everyone feels included. To give our attorneys and professionals the resources they need to promote an inclusive culture, we began production of our Fostering a Connected Culture video series. The series is a set of learning modules that will provide educational resources to empower our team to help nurture an inclusive firm culture. Our goal is to give each member for Balch access to the resources needed to help them take an active role in supporting an inclusive culture.

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)

    In 2022, we were pleased to join the membership of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization of more than 400 corporate general counsel and law firm managing partners—the leadership of the profession—who are committed to promoting a more open and diverse legal profession. The organization’s action programs are designed to attract, inspire and nurture the talent in society and within law firms across the country, thereby helping a new and more diverse generation of attorneys ascend to positions of leadership. By producing tangible results, LCLD works to promote inclusiveness within law firms.

    Managing Partner Stan Blanton and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Brandi Russell serve as Balch’s representatives to LCLD.

    Tashwanda Pinchback Dixon (2022) and David Duhè (2023) have served as the firm’s representatives for the LCLD Fellows Program - a program designed for diverse, high-potential, mid-career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations. 

    Irving Jones (2022) and Christina Nuñez (2023) have served as the firm’s representatives for the LCLD Pathfinders Program – a program designed for diverse, high-potential, early career attorneys at LCLD Member organizations. Christina Nuñez was awarded the inaugural Pathfinder Atlas Award at the LCLD Pathfinder Fall Meeting. 

    Additionally, Balch consistently participates in the LCLD 1L Scholars Program. This program gives law students the opportunity to work side-by-side with attorneys from LCLD Member organizations. The LCLD 1L Scholars also participate in robust client networking events and career development opportunities throughout the year. 

  • Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success

    We host the annual Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success to equip incoming law students with the necessary tools to succeed in law school and throughout their professional careers. The program focuses on attracting promising students from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession and from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as students facing other significant barriers to entering the legal profession.

    During this two-day program, students will gain a better sense of the law school classroom experience, receive practical tips and advice from judges, in-house counsel and leaders from a variety of backgrounds, network with Balch attorneys and learn tips to enhance their academic and professional success while maximizing law school opportunities. 

  • Billable Credit Program

    All members of the firm are encouraged to promote and advance diversity, equity and inclusion.  In pursuit of the firm’s goals, the firm will provide up to 50 hours of billable credit annually for significant leadership or participation in approved Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) activities and engagement. 

  • Balch Business Boost

    Balch Business Boost is a pro bono program with a DEI lens dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs of color and/or women-owned businesses and start-ups by providing free or low-cost legal services. Minority- and women-owned businesses and start-ups are critical contributors to our economy - important creators of new jobs and brilliant ideas that make our communities and our economies better. Recent tragedies have refocused our attention on the inequities that remain in our society and, more specifically, at home in our communities. At Balch, we believe it is imperative that we all work together to tackle systemic injustices and to proactively support people who are forced to navigate and overcome unnecessary barriers to achieving success.

     

Highlights & Initiatives

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report
2022
Read Now
Women's Initiative
Supporting women lawyers through cross-office friendship, mentorship, and sponsorship.
Learn More
BLOCC
Supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) lawyers.
Learn More
Balch Supports Black Business Month
HOAM Candle Company
Watch & Learn More

Awards

Named Leader in Diversity by the Birmingham Business Journal
Stan Blanton named outstanding CEO
Read More
2023 Compass Award Recipient
Recognized by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)
Read More
Contact

Latest News & Events

Community Engagement
Equal Justice Works' 2023 Scales of Justice
Equal Justice Works facilitates opportunities for law students, lawyers, law school professionals and advocates to advance their passion into a lifelong commitment of public service.
November 1, 2023
Awards & Rankings
Balch Receives 2023 Compass Award from Leadership Council on Legal Diversity for Second Consecutive Year
This recognition marks the second consecutive year that Balch has been acknowledged for its unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity within the legal profession.
October 25, 2023
Awards & Rankings
Christina Nuñez Wins Inaugural Pathfinder Atlas Award
The Atlas Award is designed to recognize Pathfinders who have the highest levels of engagement throughout the program.
October 20, 2023
Firm News
Katie Kimbrell Selected for 2023 Momentum Executive Leadership Program
Momentum’s Executive Leadership Program aims to address the unique challenges facing women in leadership positions. 
August 22, 2023
Firm News
Balch & Bingham Releases 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Annual Report
This report highlights the firm’s ongoing efforts to advance DEI, while also celebrating successes from the year.
August 3, 2023
In the Media
Law360 Highlights Balch & Bingham’s Susan B. Livingston Boot Camp for Success
More than 500 Boot Camp alumni are now making an impact within the legal profession across the nation.
August 2, 2023
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