The Knoxville Bar Association (KBA) presented its inaugural “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award” to the law firm of Lewis Thomason at the KBA’s annual Bench & Bar Celebration on September 6, 2023. The award honors legal organizations that demonstrate a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the legal profession. Lewis Thomason was recognized as the 2023 Strategic Inclusion Leader for its demonstrable commitment and actions to advance these values by, among other things:

•             Attracting and retaining diverse attorneys through the firm’s pipeline programs, including endowed scholarships and diverse law student clerkships;

•             Maintaining an active and robust diversity committee;

•             Providing leadership opportunities for diverse attorneys; and

•             Offering annual inclusivity training.

Lewis Thomason prioritizes inclusion first because it recognizes that without inclusion diversity fails. Secondly, it prioritizes equity with a focus on fair and consistent outcomes. Last but not least, the firm focuses on increasing statistical diversity from a cross-section of gender, race, color, ability and disability, sexual orientation, religion, and geographical background.

In September 2022, the Knoxville Bar Association adopted its Strategic Inclusion Plan, memorializing its commitment to being an inclusion and diversity leader for its membership as well as the greater Bench and Bar.

According to KBA President Loretta Cravens, “Lewis Thomason’s DEI initiatives serve as a model to legal organizations for how we must listen, learn, and act in support of the people and communities we are privileged to serve. The Knoxville Bar Association is honored to shine the spotlight on Lewis Thomason for their goal-oriented diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and thanks them for developing a plan that may serve as a model for other professional legal organizations.”

Learn more about the Knoxville Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award and the Strategic Inclusion Plan.

Photo Caption: Brooklyn Sawyers Belk, who serves on the Strategic Inclusion Plan Subcommittee of the Knoxville Bar Association’s Diversity in the Profession Committee, presents the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award to Rod Fields, the managing partner of Lewis Thomason’s Knoxville Office, at the Bench & Bar Celebration on September 6, 2023.