The right people. The right resources. Exceptional results.

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. various community leadership activities and bar activities.

Riddell Williams Updates on Diversity

  • 2012 Diversity Fellowship recipient is Lola Zakharova. Lola is a 2nd year law student in Seattle University's evening program. By day, Lola is a Senior Paralegal responsible for managing the international personnel program for a national telecommunications company. Lola received her Bachelor of Arts, Summa Cum Laude, in English Language from State University of World Languages in Uzbekistan. She moved to Washington from Uzbekistan in 2006.
  • Riddell Williams is a sponsor of the Puget Sound Association of Legal Administration's July 28, 2011 Diversity Session featuring Andrés Tapia. Mr. Tapia is the President of Diversity Best Practices, the preeminent diversity and inclusion think tank and consultancy. Mr. Tapia will speak on the topic of why diversity and inclusion are still such a challenge for law firms. He will explore some of the root causes for why this is the case and elaborate on strategies and programs that can bring about true breakthroughs for firms committed to diversity.
  • As part of its continuing commitment to promote diversity in the legal profession, Riddell Williams' Diversity Committee held an interview skills workshop at the University of Washington School of Law on May 5, 2011. Recognizing that interview skills can be learned and refined, ultimately increasing the chance of diverse law students receiving job offers, Riddell Williams attorneys and its Human Resources & Recruiting Coordinator offered practical advice on what legal employers are looking for, how interviews are conducted, how to prepare for an interview, and dos and don'ts during an interview. In follow-up to the workshop, Riddell Williams invited participating students to schedule a mock interview to be held at the firm in preparation for the Northwest Minority Job Fair in August and OCI in the fall.
  • Riddell Williams’ 2011 Diversity Fellowship recipient is Michael Kim. Michael is a 2nd year law student at the University of Washington. He is a member of the UW Law Review, President of the UW Minority Law Students Association, and a member of the UW Dean’s Committee on Diversity. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish from Claremont McKenna College in California. He is also the Guinness World Record Holder for “Longest Distance Traveled by Rail in 24 Hours.”
  • Riddell Williams’ 2010 Diversity Fellowship recipient, Josias Flynn, will be joining the Firm as an associate in 2011. Josias is a 3rd year law student at the University of Washington and is the Vice president of the UW Black Law Students Association. He is externing at the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma for Judge Ronald Leighton. Josias received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Truman State University in Missouri.
  • Riddell Williams hosted “Building a Book of Business” for attorneys of color in collaboration with the King County Bar Association on October 20, 2010.
  • Riddell Williams has elected the Chair of the Firm’s Diversity Committee, Charlie Fitzpatrick, to a position on the Firm’s Executive Committee.

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. The Chair of the Diversity Committee is also a member of the firm's Executive Committee.

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 2009 recipient, Josias Flynn, is joining the firm this fall as an associate.

The deadline for the 2012 Diversity Fellowship has passed. The deadline to apply for Summer 2013 will be in September 2012.

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.

As part of its continuing commitment to promote diversity in the legal profession, Riddell Williams' Diversity Committee held an interview skills workshop at the University of Washington School of Law on May 5, 2011. Recognizing that interview skills can be learned and refined, ultimately increasing the chance of diverse law students receiving job offers, Riddell Williams attorneys and its Human Resources & Recruiting Coordinator offered practical advice on what legal employers are looking for, how interviews are conducted, how to prepare for an interview, and dos and don'ts during an interview. In follow-up to the workshop, Riddell Williams invited participating students to schedule a mock interview to be held at the firm in preparation for the Northwest Minority Job Fair in August and OCI in the fall.

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Women Attorney Group

This group holds regular monthly meetings that encourage informal mentoring, and focus on topics ranging from practice development, marketing, 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.

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.

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.

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