Pledging to Listen and Continuing the Conversation

06.04.2020

The true horror of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and the NY Central Park incident, is that they are not isolated events; they are only the most recent manifestations of racism accompanied by violence or threats directed at persons of color, especially those who are black. This is wrong.

As we have listened to the stories and experiences of our own constituents of color and others, it has become apparent that racism is an insidious plague that persons of color have to constantly account for, teach their children about and have learned to expect in contexts and circumstances that others never have to think about. As a law firm built around core principles of fairness and the rule of law, and with stated goals and principles based on diversity, inclusion, equity and opportunity, we reject these conditions. We condemn racism and violence. 

We pledge to listen and continue the conversation, and to support our colleagues of color and work together with them. In continuing to fight racial injustice, we have trained our leaders on the effects of racial trauma and provided resources to our constituents on how to be better allies. We are all better when we are undivided. America is better when everyone can contribute and openly participate together without fear, authentically and according to their abilities. We are better together.  Period.