Gould + Ratner

Diversity

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:

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:

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:

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.