Leonard, Street and Deinard is committed to supporting a diverse workplace. The firm has invested considerable resources in several areas with the aim of achieving that goal.

Recruiting 

The firm’s Recruiting Committee charter requires that a diverse slate of candidates be invited to interview with the firm. Our summer associate classes are diverse in makeup and draw from law schools around the country.  In 2001 the firm began a diversity scholars program, called Connections, which provides an array of monetary and non-monetary support to diverse students at Minnesota’s four law schools. This comprehensive program provides tuition assistance, mentoring, opportunities to clerk at the firm, and other support to assist our diversity scholars in pursuing successful careers first as student scholars, and then as attorneys. Current and past scholars meet annually over dinner with firm leaders to form and strengthen relationships. This program is unique in its scope and depth; the firm has 11 current and 22 alums of the program. Three of those alums are currently employed at the firm and others have successful careers across the Twin Cities legal market and beyond in both public service and private practice. Additionally, Leonard, Street and Deinard will partner with client Land O’ Lakes in the 2010 Twin Cities Diversity In Practice 1L summer clerkship program.

Retention of Diverse Attorneys 

The firm’s Board of Directors has adopted a comprehensive Diversity Initiative in addition to the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Self-Audit for Gender Equity (SAGE) Amendment, which commits the firm to addressing gender diversity. The firm is committed to including diverse groups of firm members in activities including client teams, client meetings, marketing presentations, interviewing schedules and seminars. The firm is also committed to encouraging diversity in firm leadership positions. The firm offers its attorneys with particular emphasis on diverse attorneys mentoring and guidance on business development and other important issues to ensure that their practices with the firm will be successful.

Leonard, Street and Deinard’s attorneys are successful and acknowledged outside the firm. Two of the firm’s female shareholders, including Angela Bohmann, were recently identified by Minnesota Law and Politics as among two of the 100 outstanding women lawyers. Three of  the firm’s 19 attorneys selected as 2009 Super Lawyers by Minnesota Law and Politics were women; five of the firm’s 48 attorneys named as Best Lawyers in America in 2009 are women. Additionally one woman attorney  was identified by Chambers as a Best Lawyers for Business and 10 women attorneys have been identified as Rising Stars by Minnesota Law and Politics. In addition, two of our female attorneys have served as the President of Minnesota Women Lawyers.

Involvement in Community Diversity Efforts

Leonard, Street and Deinard is one of seven founding members of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, a collaborative consortium of local law firms and others dedicated to advancing diversity in the Twin Cities legal community. The mission of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice is to provide significant resources to accelerate the efforts of its members to identify, recruit, advance and retain attorneys of color in Minnesota’s legal community. The main functions of the group include:

• Implementing programs to identify, hire, retain and promote attorneys of color.
• Providing support to attorneys of color by sponsorship of forums, roundtable discussions, receptions and other networking opportunities.
• Conducting outreach programs to law students of color.
• Acting as resources for and coordinating initiatives with law schools, law school placement directors, student organizations, bar associations and other professional organizations.

In 2009, Leonard, Street and Deinard became the first Minnesota firm to join the newly created Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, a national consortium of large law firms and in-house legal departments committed to diversity.

Sponsorships

Our firm is an active and visible sponsor of more than a dozen events each year that support diversity, including sponsorship of the annual Human Rights Campaign; the annual meeting, Rosalie Wahl Leadership Lecture and holiday benefit of Minnesota Women Lawyers; the annual gala of the Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers; the annual fall dinner of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association-Minnesota Chapter; and the annual dinner and Foundation contribution to the Advocates for Human Rights, to name a few.

Awards

In 2006, the firm received a leadership award from Minnesota Women Lawyers for its demonstrated commitment to the advancement of women lawyers within the firm. The firm was honored in 2005 as one of Minnesota’s 2005 Great Places to Work ranking among the top medium-sized businesses of 101 to 1,000 employees according to the Business Journal. The firm was again recognized in 2009 by Minnesota Monthly after being evaluated in the areas of health care retirement benefits, vacation, and office environment among others. Finally, the firm has recently been honored by the Work Life Champions Partnership which recognizes Minnesota employers who create a flexible and supportive workplace. 

Serving a Diverse Community

In addition to its commitment to a diverse workplace, the firm has a comprehensive commitment to providing pro bono legal services to the indigent. Leonard, Street and Deinard runs a legal clinic in the Community University Health Care Clinic. For 15 years the clinic has provided legal counsel to the indigent in many areas including family law, immigration law, public benefits, and housing. In 2009, the firm was awarded the John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism award from the American Bar Association section of litigation. This award recognizes those who work to ensure that the legal system meets the needs of the indigent and other persons in need of access to justice.

Leonard, Street and Deinard is committed both to diversity within the firm and to community service outside the firm.  We know that over the years our clients have supported and shared those commitments.