Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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At Nexsen Pruet, we celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion. Every day we strive to create a work environment where everyone is welcome and valued. We believe that diverse experiences bring out the best in us, so we can better serve our clients. 

Nexsen Pruet believes that a diverse workforce is critical to our culture, success, and future growth. We recognize that a diverse firm produces broader perspectives, better ideas, and more creative solutions for our clients. Therefore, we are committed to: 

• Recruiting, hiring, developing, retaining, and promoting a diverse group of attorneys, professionals, and other employees in all of our offices to provide the best quality service and legal representation to our nationally diverse clients.
• Reducing minority and female attrition and supporting minority and women’s organizations.
• Promoting and achieving diversity within the legal profession both locally and nationally. 

Our Commitment

We demonstrate our commitment to diversity through our firm-wide diversity programs and initiatives, including: 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, which is comprised of members of the firm’s management, partners, counsel, associates, and support staff, develops diversity goals for the firm and programs and initiatives to reach those goals. The committee focuses on workplace culture, recruitment, retention and development of talent, and policies and procedures. The following attorneys and staff members sit on our committee: 

Members

• Tushar Chikhliker, Committee Co-Chair (Real Estate/Economic Development)
• Jennifer Cluverius, Board of Director (Employment)
• David Ferrell (Public Policy)
• Ken Lewis, Committee Co-Chair (Corporate and Tax)
• Susan McWilliams (Business and Commercial Litigation)
• Brian Pearce, Greensboro Office-Managing Partner/NC Recruiting Chair (Real Estate)
• David Pokela (Real Estate and Environmental)
• Bobby Robinson (Corporate and Tax)

Associates

• Yolanda Davis (Corporate and Tax/Economic Development)
• Ashleigh Greene (Corporate and Tax)

Business Services

• Jean Anne Ferner, Chief Professionals Officer
• Angela O’Neal, Director of NEXTRA Solutions
• Eric Pinkett, Technology
• Gordie Prescott, Director of Training & Development
• Summer Winslow, Recruitment and Professional Development Manager

NP Strategy

• Sam Johnson, Government Affairs Advisor
• Jesica Mackey, Vice President

Professional Programs Promoting Diversity

Nexsen Pruet actively sponsors and participates in professional programs and activities that promote diversity, including: 

• Calibrate ID
• Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council
• Diversity in Law and Leadership Summit (Atlanta, GA)
• Mansfield Rule
• Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Firm Programs and Initiatives

Since 2010, diverse attorneys have seen a 3.9% increase in representation among the country’s largest firms according to The American Lawyer’s 2020 Diversity Scorecard. Nexsen Pruet’s diversity initiatives are designed to foster an open dialogue on inclusion, where unique experiences are heard and opportunities abound for talented professionals of all backgrounds. These initiatives include: 

• Diversity Scholarship Program
• Diverse Summer Associate Support
• Pre-Law/1L Mentorship Program