Diversity and Inclusion at Orrick

Orrick's core value of "Cooperation and Individual Respect" is reflected in the firm's longstanding commitment to diversity. The importance placed on diversity comes from the highest level of Orrick's management, which views the success of its diverse lawyers as a critical management and business goal.

Since 1990, Orrick's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, one of the first in a major law firm, has advised management on a broad range of initiatives to ensure that Orrick is successful in hiring, retaining and promoting diverse lawyers. The Diversity and Inclusion Committee in each domestic office takes action to ensure that Orrick's lawyers are diverse and positioned to thrive personally and professionally.

Our diversity and inclusion committees assist in the firm's lawyer recruiting efforts, associate orientation, summer program, lawyer training and development, the lawyer mentoring program, pro bono work and community activities and numerous other aspects of firm life.

Diverse lawyers play an integral role in managing the firm (as office leaders, committee chairs, practice group leaders and the Executive Committee among others) and shaping its future.

Innovative Policies, Practices and Programs

At Orrick, we constantly challenge ourselves to introduce new programs to help us effectively attract, retain and promote diverse individuals. As a consequence, we are among the most diverse large firms in the United States. A few of the more distinctive elements of our diversity program include the following.

• Affinity Groups, Parents' and Veterans' Forums and Mentoring Program
• Women's Initiative, Committee and Mentoring Circles
• Diversity Liaisons to each Practice Group's Associate Review Committee
• Unconscious Bias Training for all Partners and Of Counsel
• Alternative Work Schedule Policy and On-Ramping Program
• Custom Track Options
• Pipeline Initiatives to Support Diverse Youth
• Paid Membership in Diverse Professional Associations
• Supplier Diversity Program
• Generous Maternity and Paternity Leave Benefits
• Associate Development Benchmarks and Career Guidance Counselors

Diversity Brochure

Opening the Door: Pipeline Initiatives

Importantly, while the firm prides itself on its diversity successes within the firm, Orrick's diversity efforts extend far beyond the firm itself to supporting a number of important pipeline initiatives. Orrick believes a commitment to diversity must touch the very beginnings where diverse individuals enter the legal profession—the critical pathway that leads from high school to college, and then to law school and into their first legal jobs.

Pipeline Initiatives

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