We are building a culture of connection and belonging.
We recognize that fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment unlocks our greatest potential and leads to innovation and superior outcomes.
We are the destination of choice for top talent that reflects the rich diversity of our communities. Further, we are committed to being a place where our people are supported and empowered to reach their full potential, a place where they belong and excel.
Our efforts are anchored by four priorities:
Deploying policies and practices that foster fair opportunity for all
Attracting, cultivating and rewarding a diverse talent base at all levels
Developing programming and training that fosters inclusion and respect
Contributing thought leadership, building a diverse talent pipeline and embracing our tradition of pro bono service and community engagement
Our efforts are anchored by four priorities:
Deploying policies and practices that foster fair opportunity for all
Attracting, cultivating and rewarding a diverse talent base at all levels
Developing programming and training that fosters inclusion and respect
Contributing thought leadership, building a diverse talent pipeline and embracing our tradition of pro bono service and community engagement
DEI in Practice
Impactful support, programming and training
Schulte affinity groups
Schulte affinity groups are dedicated to creating safe and supportive spaces, enhancing cultural awareness, facilitating mentoring and allyship, promoting opportunities for networking, championing professional enrichment, advocating for inclusive practices, advancing work/life balance, and much more. Our affinity groups are comprised of lawyers and business professionals.
- Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Affinity Group
- Black Affinity Group
- Caregivers Affinity Group
- First Generation Professionals Affinity Group
- Jewish Affinity Group
- Latin Affinity Group
- LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
- Veterans Affinity Group
- Women’s Affinity Group
Schulte Speaker Series
Presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions that bring diverse perspectives and inspire action. Our Speaker Series is designed to challenge biases, promote understanding, empathy and societal change.
2023 was our Year of Allyship
In 2023, through a series of insightful seminars, we put allyship into practice. The series was launched by Professor Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at New York University School of Law, who shared his “Empathy Triangle,” outlining how to serve as an ally to colleagues from historically marginalized groups, speaking up when witnessing non-inclusive behavior and actively committing to the work of being more empathetic.
Professional Development
Our DEI leadership is an essential collaborator, ensuring that our approach to assessment, development and training is fair and designed to unlock the best performance of our team members regardless of background or identity. This includes thoughtful review of our mentorship, work assignment, new hire onboarding and performance assessment practices.
Unconscious Bias Training
Foundational unconscious bias training that provides our firm with a common vocabulary to discuss sensitive topics, and tools and strategies to identify and account for unconscious biases.
Support for Navigating Challenging Conversations
Through our “Train the Facilitator” program, we have prepared members of our community to act as facilitators who can moderate sometimes tough and sensitive DEI discussions.
Setting an inclusive tone
Setting an inclusive tone
The Schulte Task Force for Racial Justice Initiatives, led by and comprised of Schulte business professionals and lawyers of all levels of seniority, brought a call to action for addressing racial injustice in society and biases within the legal profession. It served as a unique forum prompting internal reflection on DEI within our firm community. This Task Force was responsible for launching our partnership with Tulsan lawyer and Justice for Greenwood founder Damario Solomon-Simmons, to co-counsel a groundbreaking lawsuit seeking justice for the living survivors and descendants of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
The Schulte Code of Civility is core to who we are. It sets our tone for developing and maintaining a climate of civility, mutual respect, trust and confidence among all who work at the firm regardless of title or position.
The Schulte Task Force for Racial Justice Initiatives, led by and comprised of Schulte business professionals and lawyers of all levels of seniority, brought a call to action for addressing racial injustice in society and biases within the legal profession. It served as a unique forum prompting internal reflection on DEI within our firm community. This Task Force was responsible for launching our partnership with Tulsan lawyer and Justice for Greenwood founder Damario Solomon-Simmons, to co-counsel a groundbreaking lawsuit seeking justice for the living survivors and descendants of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
The Schulte Code of Civility is core to who we are. It sets our tone for developing and maintaining a climate of civility, mutual respect, trust and confidence among all who work at the firm regardless of title or position.
Our DEI leadership
Schulte Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Our DEI Committee, comprised of business and legal personnel of all levels, is dedicated to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace in all areas of the firm, from recruitment and professional development to promotion and leadership. The Committee works to create an environment where legal and business staff respect each other's unique experiences and perspectives and work as a team to provide effective and exceptional service to our clients.
We strive to build on the strengths of the firm’s people, listen to the lived experiences of every member of the firm and advocate for meaningful transformation.
Schulte Affinity Groups Steering Committee
Created to ensure the success of each affinity group, the Affinity Groups Steering Committee brings together legal and business staff coordinators from each of our nine affinity groups. The Committee’s goal is to build community and foster collaboration.
Diverse talent
We continually examine all aspects of our talent cycle and collaborate with diversity-focused programs, networks and organizations to ensure we are considering the full diversity of available talent. We also support the development of a diverse pipeline of future talent for law firms and the private capital industry. This has included a partnership with DAPP (Diversity Attorney Pipeline Program), a nonprofit corporation that expands opportunities for women of color, and the BarBri Law Preview Scholarship, awarded to 1L students from lower-income households.
Industry Partnerships
We invite our clients and other members of the private capital industry to partner with us on initiatives that help promote DEI strategies and related pro bono services.
In 2023, we convened industry DEI and HR leaders and senior in-house counsel for a workshop on setting “legal guardrails” and strategies following the Supreme Court’s decision in SFFA v. Harvard.
