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Commitment to Diversity

WHD’s commitment to diversity is based on principle and pragmatism. As a matter of principle, creating an inclusive organization is the right thing to do. As a matter of pragmatism, we know that insularity can be a constraint on the growth of our business. By advancing diversity we create an inclusive and growing organization. Through different perspectives and our measurable progress in increasing the firm’s diversity profile, WHD and our clients continue to benefit both personally and professionally.

WHD is committed to attracting diverse employees, including women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Focused recruitment, measured retention and timely advancement are essential. Some of the activities we undertake to recruit a diverse workforce include, but are not limited to, the following:

WHD recruits at the Cook County Job Fair, which is an event organized to attract diverse candidates, including law students.
WHD also recruits law students at Howard University, a historically black university, for inclusion in our summer associate program.

The impact of WHD’s efforts in this regard is reflected in the words expressed by WHD attorney Arthur T. Phillips:

When Arthur Phillips, an African-American attorney who graduated from Marquette University law school in 1990, landed at WHD in 2007, he felt comfortable with the firm’s attitude toward diversity. “I found an awareness that was attractive to me,” said Mr. Phillips. “It’s not so much about numbers to me, but rather an approach or visionary leadership on the issue that lends itself to diversity.” The Business Journal, February 29, 2008.

WHD’s strategic plan included the formation of a Diversity Committee, chaired by Thomas C. Ewing. Mr. Ewing has been entrusted by the Board of Directors with the authority and the resources to advance a variety of diversity initiatives. Those initiatives include the commissioning of a Future Milwaukee study designed to address the viability of a community-wide effort to recruit and retain minority attorneys in the Milwaukee area. Other examples of diversity-focused organizations and initiatives that receive the support of WHD include the following: