At Gould & Ratner, we value and respect the collective diversity of experiences and perspectives among our employees, clients and communities. We recognize that diversity encompasses a broad range of characteristics including race, age, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran’s status and disability. We strive to maintain a work environment where every individual is appreciated and rewarded on the basis of personal contributions to the organization.

We embrace this philosophy with the knowledge and understanding that what truly matters is that a consistently high level of client service is achieved and maintained by our attorneys, paralegals and staff equally, regardless of status. Gould & Ratner also sponsors and participates in a wide range of local initiatives, including:

America-Israel Chamber of Commerce
Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
CREW Chicago
Erie Family Health Centers
Habitat for Humanity
Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
Hispanic National Bar Association
Jewish United Fund Lawyers Network

Our lawyers and the firm have also been recognized for our contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession by numerous publications and organizations, including:

Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Minorities in Accounting, Consulting & Law”
Leadership Award for the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Women in Law” and “Notable Women Executives Over 50”
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine “Top Women in the Law”
Sponsor of the Year by CREW Chicago
Bisnow "Power Woman"

Our Diversity Committee continually takes steps to create a more diverse workforce by focusing on the recruitment and retention of diverse talent, working in tandem with our Hiring Committee. To further advance our commitment to diversity and inclusion, our partner Amy Blumenthal also serves as the firm’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. In this role, she oversees the D&I efforts for the firm, including providing operational leadership of all diversity and inclusion efforts and driving awareness, accountability and commitment.

We are proud that the firm has achieved Mansfield Rule Certification for Midsized Law Firms for 2022-2023. We have successfully completed an 18-month process designed to ensure all lawyers have a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership and high-visibility positions at Gould & Ratner. We are among only 240 law firms in the United States who achieved this recognition, including approximately 70 midsized firms.

Our focus for 2022-2023 participation in the Mansfield Rule process for midsized law firms was on hiring new attorneys at all levels, as well as teams for new business pitches and continuing client service. We have already committed to participate in the Mansfield certification process for 2023-2024. For more information, see this News item.

Inclusion

Where our Diversity Committee focuses outward, Gould & Ratner’s Inclusion Committee focuses inward, fostering an environment where people are encouraged to be their professional, authentic selves at work by providing programming, mentorship, internal training, community outreach and sponsorship opportunities that strive to celebrate and include all. Over the past several years, Gould & Ratner’s Inclusion Committee has hosted numerous thoughtful discussions, trainings and celebrations that support a wide range of diverse groups and service related initiatives, including:

Monthly celebrations for employee work anniversaries, birthdays, new hires and occasions
Dismantling implicit bias and microaggressions training
Black History Month discussion
Women’s History Month video interviews with women who recently joined the firm
Jewish American Heritage Month discussion with a founding member of the Chicago Jewish Historical Society
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month discussion with a founding member of the San Diego API Coalition
In honor of Juneteenth, a discussion about the history of the anti-slavery movement and Underground Railroad
In honor of Pride Month, a discussion about LGBTQ+ equality and issues facing the community
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, a discussion about understanding historical trauma
Hispanic Heritage Month discussion with Jesse Ruiz, former Deputy Gov. for Education in the Office of Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, about his experience as a Latino lawyer
Law Day discussion about the importance of law in our society
Firmwide active events, including Climb for Air, Race Judicata and Erie Moves
Community service-focused initiatives, including Toys for Tots holiday toy drive, Project Linus blanket making, 500 Turkeys and The Night Ministry care package assembly

GROW

GROW (Gould & Ratner Opportunities for Women) celebrates, supports and promotes the impact and achievements of our women attorneys. The firm fosters an environment in which our women attorneys can enrich their personal and professional development to grow a successful and satisfying lifelong practice.

GROW initiatives provide opportunities for Gould & Ratner’s many women clients and contacts to meet our women attorneys and exchange ideas, socialize and establish new associations. GROW champions the recruitment and promotion of women professionals within the firm and in the outside organizations in which they are active participants

Unconscious Bias Training

Gould & Ratner values an inclusive and collaborative environment that values the differences that our attorneys, paralegals and staff bring to the workplace. We are committed to helping our attorneys, paralegals and staff reach their professional potential and provide firmwide training to create awareness of implicit bias, its implications and how to eliminate discriminatory behaviors in the workplace.