Foley embraces and strives for diversity not only in terms of our people, but also in the unique ideas and perspectives each person brings to the firm. The strength and success of our law firm requires the inclusion of people with different insights and experiences, which results in more creative and innovative solutions to your legal and business challenges. As we work to promote diversity and inclusion at Foley, it all comes together for a single goal: providing you with the highest level of service and innovative legal thinking.
DEI MISSION STATEMENT | |
Foley is dedicated to fostering an environment that embraces differences, promotes equality, and engenders mutual respect, thereby creating a culture of inclusion where everyone has the opportunity to excel. We are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting diverse attorneys, thereby resulting in a diversity of perspectives that benefits the firm, our clients, and the communities in which we practice. |
* Gender, ethnicity, LGBTQ, veterans, and people with disabilities
* As of December 31, 2022
In 2022, Foley introduced an updated DEI Strategic Plan that builds on the firm’s past successes, aligns with our firmwide strategic plan, and reflects our integrated talent approach.
Click on each of the plan’s five pillars to learn more:
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2026 DEI STRATEGIC PLAN SUPPORTED BY ADVANCED DATA | |
The 2026 DEI Strategic Plan incorporates a new and innovative data analytics tool that marries the firm’s Human Resources and Finance data, allowing the firm to instantly access key diversity metrics. With this data, Foley can review DEI metrics holistically and more granularly by department, practice group, and office. The in-depth analysis is complemented with user-friendly visualizations that delve into talent retention, utilization, work allocation, and more by diversity demographic category across the firm. These bespoke insights allow the DEI and Talent teams to tailor solutions to further the firm’s recruitment, development, retention, and promotion efforts, as well as in client relationships. |
We recognize the importance of providing our diverse talent with community-building and networking opportunities. We have firm-wide affinity groups for women, ethnic minorities, members of the LGBTQ community, and veterans. These groups help reinforce a sense of community, provide collaborative business development opportunities, and participate in mentoring and recruiting activities.
Our firm-wide affinity groups focus on professional development, community and bar association involvement, recruitment and retention, as well as awareness and advocacy within their respective communities.
Professional Development | Recruiting and Retention | |||
Community and Bar Association | Awareness and Advocacy |
Foley’s affinity groups serve as a catalyst to promote inclusion, build community, and provide leadership opportunities for diverse attorneys within the firm. These attorney-led groups meet regularly, setting their own agendas tailored to the needs of their members. Below please find a list of the leadership of Foley’s national affinity groups along with links to their individual appearances on The Path & The Practice podcast.
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Pavan Agarwal Partner, Washington, D.C. Senior Chair |
Eric Chow Partner, Silicon Valley Chair |
Vi Tran Senior Counsel, Houston Vice Chair |
Black Attorneys Affinity Group |
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Phil Phillips Partner, Detroit Senior Chair Episode 11 |
Sara Madavo Partner, New York Chair Episode 26 |
Alexis Jackson Associate, Tampa Vice Chair |
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Katherine Califa Partner, Washington, D.C. Senior Chair Episode 69 |
Roland Potts Of Counsel, Miami Chair |
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Jack Lord Partner, Miami Senior Chair Episode 5 |
John Litchfield Partner, Chicago Chair |
Katie Harrington Senior Counsel, Houston Vice Chair |
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Taylor Pancake Partner, Orlando Senior Chair |
Patrick McMahon Senior Counsel, Chicago Chair Episode 7 |
Kel Thomas Associate, Boston Vice Chair |
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Michele Simkin Partner, Washington, D.C. Senior Chair |
Kate Beattie Partner, Boston Chair |
Laura Ganoza Partner, Miami Chair, Women of Color |
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Rachel Kingrey O'Neil Partner, Dallas Vice Chair |
Sonal Agarwal Senior Counsel, Madison Vice Chair, Women of Color |
Diversity Career Fairs: Foley also is an active supporter of diversity career fairs across the nation. Listed below are some of the fairs in which was participate.
Supporting a New Generation: We actively participate in a number of pipeline programs that promote careers in the legal profession to diverse students and ensure that our communities retain and improve their diversity, including:
Foley Diversity Fellowship: Second-year law students selected for this program receive a total of $50,000, which is paid in two installments: $20,000 following successful completion of our Summer Associate Program as a 2L and $30,000 paid within 30 days of joining the firm as an associate. For more information about our Diversity Fellowship Program, click here.
We support a broad range of outside organizations dedicated to diversity, equity & inclusion in the legal profession. Here’s a list of some of the many organizations that we are proud to support:
Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago | National LGBT Bar Association | |
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity | National Bar Association | |
Corporate Counsel Women of Color | California Minority Counsel Program | |
Hispanic National Bar Association | National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | |
Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund | South Asian Bar Association of North America | |
Bay Area Latino Lawyers Fund | Charting Your Own Course | |
LAGBAC Foundation Lawyers for Diversity |
The Path & The Practice, an innovative podcast produced by Foley & Lardner LLP, has acquired more than 25,000 downloads since its launch in July 2020. The podcast explores the professional origin stories of Foley attorneys. Each episode features Alexis Robertson, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in a one-on one conversation with a new attorney exploring their unique background, path to law school, path to Foley, and individual perspective on the practice of law. You can subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major podcast platforms and access it on our Legal Talent Development Careers Blog. Or scroll down for a full list in the Insights section of this page.