Eversheds Sutherland Introduces Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Billable Hour Credit for US Attorneys
Eversheds Sutherland is pleased to announce that it has implemented a billable credit policy for DEI-related work, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to meet and exceed firm and industry DEI goals and to support those at the firm performing the important work of building and maintaining our inclusive culture. As of January 1, 2022, the firm provides up to 50 hours of billable credit per year for qualifying DEI work for all US-based attorneys.
Among other things, activities eligible for billable credit include:
• Participating in client diversity programs or joint firm-client initiatives and trainings; representing the firm at client-facing diversity and sponsorship events
• Carrying out responsibilities of affinity group leadership, diversity committee membership, and/or women’s initiative board membership
• Participating in formal firm diversity mentorship programs as a facilitator
• Participating in a program with a firm DEI partner organization
• Representing the firm at law school DEI events and job fairs, participating in DEI campus relations initiatives, panels and events, and mentoring underrepresented law students
“We are proud to incentivize and reward the time attorneys spend on activities that are essential to building an inclusive culture and equitable workplace,” said Mark D. Wasserman, Co-CEO of Eversheds Sutherland. “Recognizing individual contributions to DEI efforts through billable hour credit ensures that these efforts are integrated into our firm culture and supports our commitment to creating a more inclusive, equitable and diverse firm.”
“This new policy makes it clear that we place immense value on the many contributions our attorneys make in furtherance of our DEI goals,” said Darwin Conner, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Eversheds Sutherland. “It also ensures that those who dedicate time to these efforts, who are often from underrepresented groups, receive the appropriate credit for their work.”
About Eversheds Sutherland
As a global top 10 law practice, Eversheds Sutherland provides legal services to a global client base ranging from small and mid-sized businesses to the largest multinationals, acting for 70 of the Fortune 100, 61 of the FTSE 100 and 128 of the Fortune 200.
With more than 3,000 lawyers, Eversheds Sutherland operates in 74 offices in 35 jurisdictions across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In addition, a network of more than 200 related law firms, including formalized alliances in Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, provide support around the globe.
Eversheds Sutherland provides the full range of legal services, including corporate and M&A; dispute resolution and litigation; energy and infrastructure; finance; human capital and labor law; intellectual property; real estate and construction; and tax.
Eversheds Sutherland is a global legal practice and comprises two separate legal entities: Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP (headquartered in the UK) and Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP (headquartered in the US), and their respective controlled, managed, affiliated and member firms. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland is for description purposes only and does not imply that the member firms or their controlled, managed or affiliated entities are in a partnership or are part of a global LLP. For more information, visit eversheds-sutherland.com.
