DEI

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At Bricker Graydon, our commitment to fostering a vibrant mosaic of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives is woven into the very fabric of our values. We firmly believe that embracing diversity not only enhances the quality of our work but also allows us to approach challenges with fresh insights and a collaborative spirit, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our clients.

Our Legacy of Pioneering Diversity

Our commitment to diversity is deeply rooted in our history and serves as a foundation for our future. As pioneers in the Ohio legal community, we take pride in being the first majority-owned firm in central Ohio to achieve key milestones:

• Electing the first African-American female attorney
• Promoting the first African-American attorney to partnership
• Championing the first African-American woman to partnership in central Ohio

These achievements reflect our long-standing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all talented individuals have opportunities to excel.

Ongoing Mission

Our ongoing mission is clear: to attract diverse talent and cultivate a culture that recognizes and celebrates the invaluable contributions of every individual to our firm and clients. We believe that diversity is not only a strength but a strategic imperative, driving innovation and excellence in the legal profession.

Advancing Inclusion With The Mansfield Rule Certification

We proactively foster an environment where every member of our firm, from attorneys to staff, feels not only welcomed but truly valued and appreciated for their unique contributions. Our strategic approach includes empowering women and underrepresented groups to take leadership roles, implementing cross-generational mentoring programs, providing workshops to educate and address implicit bias with tools, offering alternative work arrangements, and driving recruitment programs exemplified by our Charles H. Walker Scholarship.

As a firm dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Bricker Graydon is proud to be an early adopter Mansfield Rule Certified Plus firm. This milestone, achieved in the 2023–24 cycle, underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring that underrepresented groups—including women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and attorneys with disabilities—are considered for key leadership roles, partner promotions, and senior lateral hiring. The Mansfield Certification, a rigorous standard developed by Diversity Lab, requires firms to consider at least 30% diverse candidates in critical decision-making processes. By embracing these standards, Bricker Graydon demonstrates transparency and accountability in building a legal community that reflects the richness and diversity of the world we serve.

As we pursue Mansfield Certification for the 2024–25 cycle, we are driven by our vision of “creating next” for our people, clients, and communities. We are proud of our progress and steadfast in our commitment to building a more diverse, inclusive future—because we believe our greatest strength lies in our differences.

Collaboration for lasting Change

Beyond our internal efforts, we actively collaborate with a diverse range of national, regional, and local organizations that share our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our attorneys generously contribute their time, talent, and financial resources to support these organizations, contributing to the broader cause of fostering a more inclusive legal community.

We believe that true strength lies in our differences, and together, we create a stronger, more dynamic future.

Bricker Graydon+

Bricker Graydon+ is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. We achieve this by establishing an internal resource and network group for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. Our commitment extends to strengthening connections between our firm and the broader LGBTQ+ community through engaging social events and meaningful acts of service. Additionally, we actively promote and support the development of Bricker Graydon's inclusive culture, business initiatives, and recruitment goals.

BG Ability

BG Ability is dedicated to promoting inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, their families, and allies within our Firm. Our goal is to provide education, resources, and support to empower everyone within our community. Whether you’re living with a disability, supporting a loved one, or standing in solidarity as an ally, you're welcome here. Members are never required to disclose a personal disability, but we strive to create a safe space where individuals feel empowered to share their experiences and perspectives. Join us in building a more inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, and all voices are heard. Together, we can create positive change and promote a culture of accessibility.

Walker Link Leadership Group

The Walker Link Leadership Group, an affinity initiative that strives to promote opportunities and improve the quality of work life for African American lawyers at Bricker Graydon and throughout the broader legal community.
This group has been responsible for:

• Our annual Corporate Counsel Summit, a day-long forum for in-house counsel to share best practices and hear from colleagues on diversity and inclusion in the profession
• Support of community organizations’ such as the John Mercer Langston Bar Association, the David D. White Scholarship of Capital University Law School, the Columbus Urban League and the King Arts Complex

Women In Networking Group (WIN)

At Bricker Graydon, we have a longstanding history of electing women to leadership positions.

Our Women in Networking (WIN) group celebrates and encourages the talents, attributes and experiences that women attorneys bring to the firm. WIN also provides opportunities for professional women to network in mutually beneficial ways and to support the needs of women and families at Bricker Graydon and within in our communities.

WIN is active in the following ways:

• Hosting periodic community-awareness charitable events to allow attorneys, clients and friends of the firm to participate in philanthropic activities and foster professional relationships with other local women
• Offering educational opportunities, including a “Breaking Down Barriers” program on cyberbullying, relationship violence and body image concerns and “ROX on the Green” self-defense instruction
• Supporting the involvement of women attorneys on boards and community organizations
• Supporting community organizations, such as the Ohio Women’s Bar Association and Foundation, Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) and the Women’s Fund of Central Ohio

Leadership