Building Diversity at the Firm
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner values diversity in our inclusive office environment. Schwegman has established a Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group to help continue to actively foster a culture embracing diversity. We believe that diversity can help contribute to collaborative efforts and to building a positive and supportive workplace and community.
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner was listed among the top 30 U.S. law firms in its size category in Law360’s 2020 Diversity Snapshot, as reported on August 30, 2020 (LexisNexis®). Then in 2021, Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner was ranked in the top ten firms in our size category in Law360 Pulse’s Diversity Snapshot. In 2022, Law360 Pulse’s Diversity Snapshot ranked our firm as #21 in our size category.
Mansfield Certification:
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner is proud to announce that we have achieved Mansfield Certification status for 2021-2023.
Mansfield Certification, facilitated by Diversity Lab, recognizes the structural changes and actions we have taken over 18 months to support our longstanding efforts to foster diversity. As Pamela Huff, Firm Principal and Chair of Schwegman’s DEI Steering Group, explains, “The Mansfield process provides a framework for keeping track of who we’re considering for leadership roles and for other opportunities. This allows us to examine our data so that we can be highly intentional in making inclusive decisions and assessing our actions.”
Affinity Groups
In June 2023, we launched affinity groups within our firm. These affinity groups aim to provide a supportive space to foster community for our colleagues within the firm by acknowledging a variety of needs and goals for an inclusive work environment. Paralegal Kasie Grover and Office Services Coordinator Brian Ingalsbe, both members of our firm’s DEI Steering Group, have taken on a leading role in developing the affinity groups. Kasie explains, “I think it’s important to foster both connection and conversation to provide a happy and healthy work environment.”
Brian adds, “Seeing the ideas, directions, and overall thoughtfulness of [the affinity group] leaders is inspiring. I know that these affinity groups will help others find solidarity and belonging within our culture.”
SLW Academy
Our DEI efforts also include the recent launch of an online certification program (“SLW Academy”) with the goal of expanding access and fostering interest in Intellectual Property (IP) law. The SLW Academy aims to reach high school students, engineering students, and law students.
Principal and Diversity Steering Group Member Piers Blewett explains, “In addition to providing students with courses to build proficiency in IP concepts, the SLW Academy provides practical ‘real world’ advice to help students navigate their career options and become sought after, productive members of an IP team.”
Firm-Wide Diversity Trainings:
2018 – “Gray Area Thinking®” and “Transgender 101” by Ellie Krug
2019 – “Mindful Empathy” by Stephanie Glaros
2020 – “The Surprising Side of Bias – What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You” by Kristin Haugen
2021 – “The Positive Psychology of Mentoring: How To Find A Good Mentor, How To Be A Good Mentor” by Dr. David Farrar of Koliso | The Psychology of Business
2022 – “Effective Feedback for All: Exploring Challenges and Solutions to Effective Feedback” by Dr. Arin N. Reeves
Click here to read more about our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion.
Meet the Steering Group
Trademark Principal
Principal
Principal
Principal
Office Coordinator
Marketing Administrator
Docketing Manager
Principal
U.S. Paralegal
Marketing Specialist
Recruiting & DEI Specialist
Hear From the Managing Partner
Supporting Diversity in the Community
We Stand With You: Firm Statement on George Floyd, Racism and Injustice
As a firm founded in Minneapolis with colleagues spread throughout the country, we believe that injustice anywhere affects everyone’s humanity, and even more so when borne unequally and overlooked by others. Our shock and grief extends to Mr. Floyd’s family and to all those affected by injustices in our communities. While our firm’s efforts at inclusiveness have included some outreach and social justice initiatives beyond our organization, our core values and indeed our very consciences demand that we expand our efforts, without delay, to confront racism and injustice in our broader communities. We understand that these are complex and long-standing issues that are difficult to solve, but the recent tragic events serve as a reminder of the urgency of change. We have begun by listening to our colleagues and to our communities so that we can turn our shock and grief into action and commitment to work toward meaningful and lasting changes to unite our communities against injustice.
Past and Present Work in the Community
Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner has included building a foundation of diversity within and beyond the IP community as a key objective in our community outreach. Some groups and events that we have supported are listed below.
AIPLA Diversity in IP Networking Events
AIPLA Women in IP Networking Events
Asian Pacific Bar Association Silicon Valley Annual Gala
Bexar County Women’s Bar Association (BCWBA) Autumn Affair
Blacks in Technology (BIT) BitCon
ChIPs Global Summit
ChIPs Next Gen Summit
Girl Scouts IP Patch Events
Girls @ The Tech Day by The Tech Interactive
Girls @ The Tech Luncheon by the Tech Interactive
Human Rights Campaign Twin Cites Dinner
IPO’s Women in IP Reception
LGBT Bar Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair
Mid-MN Legal Aid Law Day Dinner: Stronger Together
Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Gala
Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers (MABL) Scholarship Gala
Santa Clara University Annual Diversity Gala
Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Events
WIPLA Happy Hour
Women Who Code Silicon Valley Onboarding Event