Foley is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because we are striving to be the best place to work — for everyone. This commitment stems from knowing that our ability to help clients achieve their business goals starts with our people. In light of this, our imperative is to recruit, develop, and promote top talent from a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. To do this, we take an approach to talent development and recruitment that includes identifying, acknowledging, and working to eliminate bias in processes and systems that would otherwise make it more difficult for us to hire and retain the most talented individuals. We know that creating an equitable and inclusive workplace is not only the right thing to do for our people, but that it also drives the very best client service. Foley is for all.
Foley’s Affinity Groups
Open to all, 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.
Inclusive Recruiting
We’re focused on recruiting talented individuals who share our passion for delivering innovative, business-focused solutions and the highest level of client service, and who personify our core values.
Foley Fellowship: Open to all, Foley’s Fellowship program is awarded during 2L summer, providing a $50,000 fellowship to law students who demonstrate, through a written personal statement, how they would contribute to the diversity of perspectives at the firm. Each fellow receives a weekly salary throughout the 10-week program, plus a $50,000 fellowship, which is paid in two installments: $20,000 following successful completion of our 2027 Summer Associate Program, and $30,000 within 30 days of joining Foley as an Associate/Law Graduate.
If you’re a law student interested in learning about Foley’s summer associate program, including our Foley Fellowship, please visit here. If you’re an experienced professional, please visit here for a list of open positions.
Supporting DEI in the Legal Profession
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
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Corporate Counsel Women of Color
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund
- LAGBAC Foundation Lawyers for Diversity
- National LGBT Bar Association
- National Bar Association
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
- South Asian Bar Association of North America
- Charting Your Own Course
Awards and Accolades
Supporting Community
Foley & Lardner is the first law firm to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) on a national scale. Our national partnership with BGCA was established in 2021 and supports the organization’s national youth leadership development strategy through programs and initiatives that open doors for the next generation to thrive. Our partnership is driven by the engagement of our attorneys and business professionals who create unforgettable experiences for youth at local Clubs. From mentoring programs and Author read-aloud sessions to school supply drives and playground refreshes, Foley is equipping youth to lead, succeed, and make meaningful contributions in their communities. For more on the partnership, click here.
The Path & The Practice Podcast
The Path & The Practice, an innovative podcast produced by Foley & Lardner LLP, has acquired more than 50,000 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 Foley Career Perspectives Blog. Or scroll down for a full list in the Insights section of this page.
For More on Foley DEI
Explore Foley’s Career Perspectives Blog to learn how we support professional growth, inclusion, and meaningful connections across the firm.
