A&O Shearman

As a global elite law firm, diversity and inclusion are part of our fabric, interwoven in who we are and all we do. We are committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best and most diverse talent from around the globe to serve our clients with the insights, judgment and excellence they expect from us. We know that the continued success of our firm, our people and our clients are inextricably bound, and require that we reflect the variety of perspectives and backgrounds represented in our ever more interdependent world.

Diversity & Inclusion Goals

• Advance a culture of collaboration and inclusion;
• Promote success for all lawyers and business services staff;
• Build a diverse workforce and partner pipeline for the future; and
• Continue our track record of excellence in serving clients.

Recruitment: Building a Diverse Workforce

We are committed to creating a diverse workforce that truly represents the communities in which we do business.

Law school student organizations: We have cultivated relationships with diverse law student organizations.

Interview process: We regularly review our interview process to ensure fairness. On an annual basis, we conduct interviewer training, stressing behavioral questions that minimize unconscious bias and elicit information on relevant work experience.

Professional Development: Encouraging a Diversity of Growth

We believe that training our teams and providing opportunities for career advancement are integral to retaining high-quality, diverse talent. Through our professional development program, we provide a comprehensive training curriculum for all our lawyers, including specialized training in management, leadership and effective communication.

Throughout our professional development programming, we hope to encourage our lawyers to continue learning and, in doing so, continue fostering an inclusive environment.

Internal Networks: Diversity in Action

Our internal inclusion networks form an integral part of our culture, encouraging diversity throughout the firm and providing opportunities for their members. Their focus is on building strong relationships internally and within the broader legal and business communities through thought leadership and other events.

Our networks include:

• Alianza (Latin American Inclusion Network)
• AVALANCHE (Association of Various Asia-Interested Lawyers Aligned for Nondiscrimination, Community, Honor and Excellence)
• BLAQUE (Black Lawyers Aligned in the Quest for Excellence)
• Sterling Pride (LGBT Inclusion Network)
• WISER (Women’s Initiative for Success, Excellence and Retention)