New Survey Reports on Diversity Manager Position in Large Law Firms
(NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA, November 10, 2005) — A recent Altman Weil Flash Survey on the Diversity Manager position in large US law firms reports that 45% of participating firms have a designated Diversity Manager or Director. In addition, the survey found that 94% of participants report having a Diversity Committee in their firm.
The survey, developed with input from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), canvassed AmLaw 200 law firms. Survey data is based on 74 responses (38%) received in the fall of 2005.
“These results seem to indicate an increased seriousness in law firms in meeting diversity challenges laid out by their corporate clients in recent years,” notes Altman Weil Senior Consultant, Virginia Grant. “Not only are we seeing almost universal presence of Diversity Committees in large law firms, but also more dedicated management positions, and more lawyers - particularly partners - in those positions.”
"MCCA has identified two critical factors that distinguish successful diversity efforts from those that fail -- leadership involvement and accountability," states Veta Richardson, Executive Director of MCCA. "While it's great to see that most law firms have organized Diversity Committees, the majority has not designated a Diversity Manager for the firm and so their level of focus and accountability may be diminished as a result."
Diversity Manager Position
According to the survey, 53% of Diversity Managers are lawyers in their firms, and of those lawyers, 78% are partners. In the balance of firms, the position is held by an administrator or there is shared responsibility between lawyers and administrative staff. 50% of Diversity Managers work full-time in the position.
In 47% of law firms, the Diversity Manager reports directly to the Chair or Managing Partner of the firm. An additional 16% report to the Executive/Management Committee. Others report to the Diversity Committee and/or its Chair, to an HR Director, or to a combination of senior managers in the firm. Only 22% of Diversity Managers serve on the firm’s Governing Committee.
“When the Diversity Manager reports to the highest level of management, it sends an important signal about the strategic importance of diversity in that firm,” Grant says.
Roles and Responsibilities
When asked to identify primary areas of responsibility for Diversity Managers, the top three responses were: “Develops and promotes diversity goals and strategies” at 97%, “Ensures implementation of short- and long-term strategic diversity plans” at 97%, and "Works with the Recruiting Committee" also at 97%.
Regarding specific roles, 77% of Diversity Managers are involved with the Recruiting Committee; 74% have a role in lawyer/staff hiring, and 65% work with the Professional Development Committee.
Budgeting for Diversity
The mean annual total cash compensation for Diversity Managers in the survey was reported at $330,500. The total budget allocation to support the position (including the Manager’s salary) was an average of $503,000. 78% of Diversity Managers have staff support, with an average 1.7 staff positions reporting to them.
About the Survey
Survey data was collected in August and September 2005 from AmLaw 200 law firms, with 38% participating (74 of 197 firms solicited). 53% of respondents were law firms with over 400 lawyers. The full report of the tabulated data appears on the Altman Weil website at www.altmanweil.com/news/DiversitySurvey.cfm.
About Altman Weil
Founded in 1970, Altman Weil, Inc. provides management consulting services to law firms, law departments and legal vendors throughout North America, Latin America, the U.K. and Europe. Altman Weil is known for the many legal economic and management surveys it conducts and publishes, including the annual Survey of Law Firm Economics. For more information about Altman Weil, go to www.altmanweil.com.
About Minority Corporate Counsel Association
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) was founded in 1997 to advocate for the expanded hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA accomplishes its mission through the collection and dissemination of information about diversity in the legal profession. For more information about MCCA, go to www.mcca.com.
revised November 18, 2005
Contact Information
Virginia Grant
Senior Consultant
Altman Weil, Inc.
610.886.2000
vgrant@altmanweil.com
Veta Richardson
Executive Director
Minority Corporate Counsel Association
202.739.5910
vetarichardson@mcca.org
