Diversity
Our Commitment to Diversity
At Riddell Williams, we acknowledge and respect the differences of each person in our firm, including race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, educational levels, marital status and family circumstance. Through our ongoing commitment to diversity, we foster mutual understanding, support and trust. This includes education, mentoring, training and various community leadership activities.
Diversity Committee: While diversity has been a cornerstone of the firm’s values for many years, we formalized a diversity program in the 1990’s. The goal of our Diversity Committee is to examine diversity issues and develop improved ways to attract and retain a diverse workforce. The committee includes principals and associates, and reports regularly to the firm’s executive committee and principals.
Achievements in Diversity Award: The Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (PSALA) selected Riddell Williams as the 2008 recipient of the Achievements in Diversity award. Each year the PSALA presents this award to a law firm within the Chapter's membership that has demonstrated exceptional achievements in diversity within the firm.
Northwest Minority Job Fair: Our firm’s participation in this successful job fair has enabled us to interview minority candidates from around the United States.
Northwest National Black Law Students Association Job Fair: Our firm hosted this event on August 26, 2006.
Diversity Fellowship: Riddell Williams sponsors an annual diversity fellowship that provides a second-year law student with a position in our summer associate program and monetary support for school in the following year. We are proud that our 2007 recipient will be joining us in early 2010 as an associate.
Benefits: We were one of the first law firms in the Northwest to provide domestic partner benefits, and are pleased that other regional firms have followed our example. Riddell Williams also provides paid parental leave for both male and female associates. Our part-time policy permits attorneys to work a reduced schedule because of child care, family or health concerns, or to pursue civic, artistic, educational, political or other interests.
Women Attorney Group: This group holds regular monthly meetings that encourage informal mentoring, and focus on topics ranging from practice development and client service to the opportunities and challenges faced by professional women. The Women Attorney Group also hosts two annual events for clients and friends that enable the women attorneys to enrich existing relationships outside the firm. Members of the group engage in a wide variety of civic, volunteer and pro bono activities. Together, these attorneys support community organizations through hands-on volunteer work, and in-kind and monetary donations.
Mentoring and Training: Riddell Williams has a strong, formal mentoring program, which matches appropriate mentors to all associates to help them achieve their professional development goals. In addition, the firm regularly conducts training programs on a wide variety of issues.