Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

JUMP TO:

Building a Fair & Equitable Firm

We see our individual differences as an asset that not only enhances the quality of life for each of us, but also strengthens what we can accomplish as a firm. We work hard to recruit, retain and advance people of diverse backgrounds at all levels. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion makes Ropes & Gray a place where individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences work together in a spirit of openness and collaboration.

Led by our diversity, equity & inclusion committee, we address policy issues and work to ensure that diversity remains a key focus across all our offices. For example, we encourage all of our lawyers—including partners—to commit to spending at least 20 hours annually to diversity, equity and inclusion activities and initiatives. And with the help of resources such as the Ropes Multicultural Forum, LGBTQ+ Forum, Women’s Forum, and professional development and business support teams, we offer educational programs, mentorship, and networking and professional development opportunities to our firm community.

A Commitment to Racial Justice & True Equality

We are committed to identifying, describing and dismantling systemic racism and inequities, and to marshalling our resources as a law firm to make societal change. Our abilities as lawyers uniquely position us to wage the legal fight for equality and justice—and among law firms, we are ideally suited to lead in this effort. We have taken many actions to further our commitment to racial justice and meaningful inclusion, and we will continue until the fruits of those efforts are seen in our communities. 

With a dedicated Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee and strong firm leadership, we are bringing the Ropes & Gray community together in new ways, marshalling our values and commitment as a firm to attract, support, mentor and advance the best talent, thereby strengthening our culture of inclusion, equity and excellence.”

Paulita Pike and Chong Park, Diversity Committee Co-Chairs
Women Stats

Investing in Female Talent

In celebration of the memory and legacy of our first woman partner, Joan D. Fuller, we offer a professional development grant that enables women lawyers to take the lead in driving their careers forward. The grant can be used to fund creative activities that help women lawyers achieve their professional goals and develop successful relationships with colleagues, clients and prospective clients.

Our lawyers are committed to providing feedback, mentorship and support to women and diverse lawyers. Hear from partner Isabel Dische and counsel Laura Hirst, who talk about their collaborative working relationship.

You don’t need a mentor. You need a network of mentors.”

Isabel Dische, Asset Management Partner and Institutional Investors Team Co-Leader
Pride Flag

Partnership with Out Leadership

We have a long history of partnering with organizations and causes to promote LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace. Our partnership with Out Leadership—a global LGBTQ+ business network—dates back to 2014, when the firm signed on as a founding sponsor of Out in Law, the first LGBTQ+ senior leadership initiative for the legal profession. We served as the sponsor for the organization’s 2018 and 2019 U.S. Summits, which brought together senior leaders from companies that are at the forefront of advancing diversity, inclusion and global equality. More recently, Ropes & Gray and Out Leadership launched a first-of-its-kind report on LGBTQ+ self-identification, a practice that enables companies to invite LGBTQ+ employees to volunteer sexual orientation and gender identity data.

Roscoe Trimmier Jr. Scholarships

Fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is one of Ropes & Gray’s most important missions. Welcoming and valuing diversity in all aspects of the firm’s operations is fundamental to our core values of excellence, fairness and integrity. To further support our commitment to diversity within the firm and the legal profession, we have established the Trimmier Scholarship, named after our first African American partner, Roscoe Trimmier Jr. Ropes & Gray’s 1L and 2L Trimmier Scholarships are awarded each year to individuals who exemplify leadership, resilience and a commitment to diversity. All applicants who have demonstrably contributed to diversity, equity and inclusion in their schools, communities or any other institution or setting will be eligible. First-generation college graduates and members of groups underrepresented in the legal profession are especially encouraged to apply.


Learn More

Ropes & Gray has made a sustained commitment to recruiting and developing the best talent and nurturing a vibrant, diverse culture, and we will continue to build on these efforts.” 

Kia Scipio, Ropes & Gray Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion Awards & Rankings

2022
Top Firms Report
Yale Law Women
Top 3

2022 LGBTQ Scorecard
The National Law Journal

Law Firm of the Year in Promoting Flexible Working Environments & Innovative Programs for Mothers
Chambers Women in Law Awards

3

Ceiling Smashers
Highest % of female Equity Partners
Law360

Affinity Forums

We’re dedicated to helping our people celebrate their identities and backgrounds. The Ropes Multicultural Forum, Women’s Forum and LGBTQ+ Forum give members with common backgrounds, interests or affiliations a setting in which to connect with other professionals, including through educational programs, business and social networking opportunities, and career and professional development seminars.

Allies at Ropes & Gray promote our culture of diversity, equity and inclusion by joining or supporting the firm’s affinity forums and greater diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. We believe that allyship is essential to accelerating our goals of recruiting, retaining and advancing people of diverse backgrounds at all levels of the firm.

The Ropes Multicultural Forum supports and advances the firm's commitment to fostering an environment where individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities succeed professionally, fully contribute to the goals of the firm and are involved in the firm's leadership. The group provides a forum for those who share and value all forms of differences between people, with a focus on diversity of race and ethnicity. 

The Ropes Multicultural Forum conducts quarterly meetings and hosts special events that give ethnically diverse attorneys the opportunity to connect with each other, share experiences and establish mentoring relationships. It sponsors a mentoring program, which brings senior and junior attorneys together, and the advocacy mentoring program, which helps junior attorneys develop skills and strategies to facilitate their career development and satisfaction. 

The Women’s Forum organizes events at which clients and guest speakers are invited to address a number of key career topics, including networking, marketing, mentoring, leadership training and business development. In addition, the Women’s Forum hosts formal and informal social events to provide women lawyers with the opportunity to build relationships and develop the essential skills for a successful legal career.

We want to be a place where our LGBTQ+ lawyers feel welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. To help promote an inclusive environment, our LGBTQ+ Forum regularly sponsors presentations and talks covering current legal topics important to the LGBTQ+ community. Members of the forum also participate in the hiring process, act as resources for LGBTQ+ summer associates, and identify and coordinate LGBTQ+-related pro bono matters.

Be Part of a Team That is Unmatched

At Ropes & Gray, people work together to reach a common goal. We are about high-functioning, highly engaged global teams and creating something greater than the sum of our parts. Each and every one of us plays a critical role in the success of our clients.

Meet Our People
Meet Brandon
Back to Life at Ropes & Gray