Commerce_22_02 | Page 26

■ Diversity , Equity & Inclusion

■ Diversity , Equity & Inclusion

Continued From Page 22
Corporate Executive Board , now part of Gartner , conducted a study which found that organizations which made an effort to be actively inclusive had a 26 percent increase in team collaboration and an 18 percent increase in team commitment .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / fizkes positions ; conducting ongoing training for all attorneys on unconscious bias and strategies to interrupt these biases ; and establishing several attorney resource groups to provide additional support and resources across varied identities . Additionally , we created DEI REACH , an initiative enhancing the firm ’ s recruitment pipeline by interviewing at least two lawyers from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups before finalizing a hiring decision within an office ; developed our RISE mentorship program , which provides equitable and consistent mentorship for attorneys across the distinct stages of their practice ; and established an Ombuds team to further support a safe , inclusive and respectful environment for our workforce . No matter the differences a member of the Jackson Lewis community brings to work , we are purposeful in creating an environment that motivates and encourages our attorneys and staff to reach their full potential .
Norris McLaughlin , P . A . By Melissa Pena , Esq ., Chair of Diversity & Inclusion Committee
As a first-generation Filipino attorney , I am proud to chair Norris McLaughlin ’ s Diversity & Inclusion Committee . The committee ’ s implementation and execution of DEI-focused programs and initiatives remains one of my top priorities . Our committee works directly with our firm ’ s Management Committee and Recruitment Committee to ensure that the firm takes the necessary steps to recruit , retain and advance the careers of women and diverse attorneys across all offices . Our firm ’ s approach is not perfect , and we strive to make continued improvements in our educational programming and professional training because we understand the significant impact of a diverse workplace in our overall firm growth and development . We recognize that we can better serve our clients when all groups are represented at the table . We encourage our attorneys to actively participate in affinity bar association groups , the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association , and additional legal , trade and community organizations . Over the last 12 months , we have hosted multiple speakers to address implicit bias and sponsored DEI-focused community events . Most recently , I represented our firm at the Somerset County Business Partnership ’ s Diversity & Inclusion Summit where we discussed best practices . Norris Mclaughlin prides itself on working with the community to advance diversity and inclusion efforts .
NPZ Law Firm , P . C . By David H . Nachman , Esq , U . S . Managing Attorney
The Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak ( NPZ ) Law Group is an immigration and nationality law firm . Our staff is international , and our clients benefit from our collective knowledge of multiple cultures . For example , a client ’ s U . S . Investor Visa application was processed smoothly because our staff was able to collaborate effectively with the client ’ s foreign bank in order to obtain financial information in a format which was acceptable to the U . S . Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS ) and the American Consulate overseas . While staff diversity is essential to the function of our organization , NPZ also views diversity at work as a form of Continuing Education for the staff because it inspires novel approaches to solve problems which , in turn , gives NPZ a competitive edge .
Rivkin Radler LLP By Nancy Del Pizzo , Esq ., Partner , Commercial Litigation , Intellectual Property and Privacy , Data & Cyber Law Groups
Rivkin Radler ’ s Development ,
Diversity and Inclusion ( DDI ) initiative is intended to strengthen the firm and in doing so meet the needs , requests and goals of our clients , foster a culture of inclusion to attract and maintain strong talent and grow the business . We work to increase diversity through recruiting efforts , promoting the development and advancement of attorneys via our mentoring and leadership program , and by supporting an inclusive environment through trainings ,
Continued On Page 26
24 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com