KCMBA Managing Partners Diversity Action Plan

After Blackwell Sanders and other Kansas City law firms signed the December 2003 KCMBA Diversity Commitment, the firms worked together to craft a diversity action plan. On December 9, 2004, our Chairman Dave Fenley joined managing partners of 26 other firms in adopting the KCMBA Diversity Action Plan. We continue to work with other firms and regional law schools to pursue the Plan’s goal – to increase the diversity of lawyers recruited, hired, and promoted at the participating firms.

Diversity Training Workshops

By the end of 2005, all Blackwell Sanders lawyers participated in diversity training workshops at our Firm, led by Sharon Jones of Jones Diversity Group.

Mentoring and Coaching Programs

The Firm has formalized its approach to mentoring and coaching, providing structured support and guidance to every associate at the Firm and also to lawyers during their first several years as partners. Extra attention is paid to help ensure that female and minority lawyers receive the mentoring, coaching and support they need at each stage of their career development.

True North: Women With Direction

True North is a Blackwell Sanders sponsored initiative that showcases dynamic women, enhances leadership potential, and establishes relationships for professional women in the community.

Blackwell Sanders lawyers and area businesswomen interact at events and also benefit from enrichment programs on leadership topics. The initiative helps participants find and stay on the professional and personal path that best suits them, as they find focus in their own True North.

INROADS

INROADS is the nation’s premier organization for leadership and professional development of outstanding students of color. In 1999, Blackwell Sanders partnered with INROADS to create an ongoing process in which outstanding minority college students work over two summers at our firm, helping them to focus on success in law school and subsequent legal careers, while also benefiting from the leadership training offered by INROADS. Two of our INROADS alumni later became associates at our firm. Our INROADS program is based in our Kansas City, St. Louis, and Omaha offices.

Program Description

www.inroads.org

The Mamas And The Papas

Blackwell Sanders recognizes the unique stresses the practice of law places on young lawyers, their spouses, and their families. To support parenting lawyers and their families, Blackwell Sanders attorneys have started an informal group called "The Mamas and the Papas."

The Mamas and the Papas meet for coffee monthly to share stories about their children and ideas on how to manage the unique, twin stresses of the law and parenthood. The monthly coffees provide a forum for young parents to network and support each other. In addition, the group organizes Sunday afternoon gatherings during the summer at Loose Park. The "Loose at Loose Park" gatherings are informal, come-as-you-are get-togethers of the Mamas and the Papas, their spouses, and their children. A few volunteer parents organize fun activities for the kids, and the firm provides a picnic meal and refreshments. Blackwell Sanders also hosts an annual dinner, which allows the firm to recognize and show appreciation for the support that the Mamas and Papas' spouses provide our attorneys and our firm.

St. Louis Minority Clerkship Program

Blackwell Sanders and other St. Louis law firms partner with the law schools of Washington University, St. Louis University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale to place minority first year law students in summer internships at participating firms. One of our current associates is a graduate of the program.

The SLIP Program

SLIP is an 8 week law firm internship program for high school students interested in a legal career. Sponsored by the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Kansas City School District, the SLIP program provides its participating students professional attire, information on working in a professional environment, and several summer outings to area courts and law schools. Blackwell Sanders has been a SLIP law firm since 1995.

The Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair

One of the central objectives of the KCMBA Diversity Action Plan is the Heartland Diversity Legal Job Fair, held annually in Kansas City, Missouri. Blackwell Sanders is proud to have been a Gold Sponsor in each year of the HDLJF.