According to the Legal Intelligencer, law firms are targeting the directors of their pro bono and diversity initiatives when time for layoffs rolls around.
Diversity and pro bono initiatives took root in many firms over the past few years, but the economy might make having individual directors at the fore of those programs a less tenable prospect.
When Saul Ewing laid off 12 people earlier this year, the cuts included the firm’s full-time diversity program manager and its full-time pro bono counsel…
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney briefly had a director of diversity position that was held by Elizabeth Mell… It was eliminated amid a round of staff cuts the firm did in November…
Virginia Essandoh heads up Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll’s diversity program. For firms looking to remain in favor with clients and serve as an attractive environment for diverse attorneys, she said this is not the time to cut back on client service and is the time to invest in their people.
Read the whole story at New York Lawyer.