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Kutak Rock Named to Bloomberg Law’s Fourth Annual Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Framework

News - Inclusive Engagement | July 22, 2024

Kutak Rock has been named to Bloomberg Law’s fourth Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Framework (Framework). The firm is one of 57 U.S.-based law firms recognized for its level of disclosure of diversity-related metrics and for distinguished performance against six core pillars: recruitment and retention, leadership and talent pipeline, business strategy and innovation, firm demographics, diversity and inclusion plus marketing, and disclosure. More information about the Framework, the methodology, and a full list of members is available on the Bloomberg Law website.

“Diversity, inclusion, and innovation have been core values from the firm’s founding through today,” said firm Chair John Petr. “We’re pleased that our continuing strategic efforts have once again been recognized by Bloomberg Law’s DEI Framework.”

Of particular note, Kutak Rock scored nearly 20 points above the average in Leadership & Talent Pipeline. 

“Kutak Rock's commitment to DEI not only sets them apart, but also propels the entire legal field forward,” said Alex Butler, vice president, analysis and content, Bloomberg Law. “We are proud to recognize their performance by listing them in our fourth annual Bloomberg Law DEI Framework.”

The Bloomberg Law DEI Framework is the legal industry’s first and only standardized, fully transparent methodology to measure law firms’ performance in this critical arena. In the four years since Bloomberg Law launched the DEI Framework, the data shows incremental but important changes in law firm demographics:

  • Overall, 44% of firms have a succession plan in place that specifically emphasizes greater inclusion of diverse/minority attorneys
  • Four in 10 firms (41%) track origination credit that diverse attorneys receive, and a quarter (27%) have a strategic plan to improve this
  • Nearly all firms (95%) reported having a public statement regarding their commitment to diversity and inclusion
  • Sixty-five percent of firms mandate and monitor that minority and women attorneys have equal access to clients, quality work assignments, committee appointments, marketing efforts and firm events, down slightly from 72% last year and matching 2022

This year’s DEI Framework included new questions on accessibility. The report finds that just over half (52%) of firms have a WCAG 2 compliant website and that 80% of firms allow employees to access basic accessibility aids like ergonomic office equipment and screen reading software without requesting an accommodation. Additionally, nearly all (97.7%) of member firms provide opportunities for attorneys to voluntarily disclose disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression through firm collection procedures, compared to 40% of non-member firms. Kutak Rock meets all three new criteria.

Kutak Rock’s diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan supports an inclusive work environment with internal goals for compositional diversity, equity and equal opportunity, inclusiveness and engagement, and building strong teams and connections across the firm. The plan supports diversity in the legal profession as a whole with external goals related to pipeline activities with youth and college students in communities in which the firm has offices, and service in national organizations.

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