To provide leadership, structure, and accountability for the firm's diversity & inclusion efforts, the firm has had a formal diversity & inclusion committee structure, programs, and initiatives for over 20 years. Alston & Bird has the following standing Diversity & Inclusion Committees:
- Firmwide Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee
- Regional Diversity & Inclusion Committees
- Firmwide Women’s Initiative Steering Committee
- Regional Women’s Initiative Committees
- Connecting Through Diversity Committee
- Professional Staff Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee – “RISE” (Representation, Inclusion & Staff Engagement)
These committees include senior partners, firm leaders, professional staff, and, on regional committees, associates. The firm also has Practice Group Diversity Partners (PGDPs), senior influential partners who lead diversity & inclusion efforts in each of the firm's practice groups.
This committee structure, the PGDP program, and our diversity & inclusion efforts are led by the firm’s first full-time Diversity & Inclusion Partner, Angela Payne James, who was hired as part of the firm’s continued investment in, and commitment to, diversity & inclusion. In addition to Angela, the firm has a full-time Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator, and Diversity & Inclusion Data Analyst, all of whom are key contributors to the firm's diversity & inclusion efforts. These full-time staff members work closely with other full-time members of our Human Resources, Attorney Hiring, Attorney Professional Development, and Marketing & Business Development teams, as well as the numerous attorneys and staff who work on diversity & inclusion efforts.