Diversity in BigLaw: A Shifting Landscape
BigLaw Firms Reassess Diversity Practices in Response to Federal Scrutiny
March 20, 2025, 11:57 am CDT
Law firms are reassessing diversity strategies against the backdrop of a federal crackdown on certain DEI programs. (Image from Shutterstock)
In a noteworthy response to the Trump administration’s critical stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, many major law firms—often termed BigLaw—are now actively removing references to diversity from their public-facing materials. This trend follows a request from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for information from 20 prominent firms regarding their DEI practices.
The EEOC, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Justice, has provided informal guidance indicating that some DEI practices might violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Specifically, the guidance warns against employment decisions that are “motivated—in whole or in part—by an employee’s race, sex or another protected characteristic.” Practices highlighted as potentially problematic include exclusion from fellowship programs, training opportunities, and other initiatives intended for specific demographic groups.
Recent Changes Across Major Firms
Multiple law firms have made significant adjustments to their websites and internal policies in light of these clarifications:
- DLA Piper: Disbanded affinity groups geared toward minority employees and eliminated preferred pronouns from email signatures.
- Kirkland & Ellis: Removed references to their diversity fellowship, instead focusing on promoting a “Welcoming Environment.”
- K&L Gates: Omitted mentions of “diversity,” rebranding its Diversity and Inclusion Committee as the Opportunity and Inclusion Committee.
- Proskauer Rose: Renamed its affinity groups section to “Inclusion” and redirected related resources accordingly.
- Hogan Lovells: Simplified its DEI programs to the abbreviation “HL inclusion” and removed associated multimedia content.
- Latham & Watkins: Reoriented its DEI webpage to emphasize belonging and inclusion while renaming its diversity scholarship program.
- Squire Patton Boggs: Highlighted “inclusion” in a prominent position on their homepage while renaming their Global Office of DEI.
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Sidley Austin: Updated their landing pages to emphasize “inclusion” over diversity.
This wave of modifications showcases a broader reevaluation of diversity-related practices among leading firms, prompting questions about the implications for inclusivity in the legal industry.
As the situation evolves, the impact of these changes on workforce dynamics and the legal landscape remains to be seen.
