Diversity & Inclusion: Workforce Diversity

Workforce Diversity

Morris James recognizes the advantages to having a diversified workforce with similarities and differences in thought, experience, and background. The firm recruits, retains, and develops a diverse, talented, and qualified workforce to service its clients.

Tactics

• Ensure that recruitment strategies of both lawyers and professional staff include a variety of sources resulting in a diverse pool of candidates.
• Include a member of the D&I committee in recruitment efforts.
• Leverage internal data to uncover blind spots and opportunities for recruitment of lawyers and staff.
• Continue participation in the Delaware Minority Job Fair and seek out other similar opportunities for recruitment.
• Expand scope of recruitment beyond Delaware.
• Train interviewers and hiring decision makers on unconscious bias in the recruitment and evaluation processes.
• Encourage diversified client teams and committees.

Progress

• Delaware Minority Job Fair: As part of an effort to recruit talented students and increase diversity in the Bar, law firms, corporations, and governmental legal employers participate in this annual job fair.

  • Morris James Proudly Supports the Delaware Minority Job Fair

  • Wilson Gualpa Speaks at Delaware Minority Job Fair

• Delaware Minority Supplemental Bar Review Course: Our firm has provided years of leadership to this program and continues to mentor students. The program helps prepare diverse applicants for success on the difficult Delaware Bar examination. Wilson Gualpa currently leads the Bar course.
• Street Law Inc. Program: Morris James regularly hires student clerks from Howard High School in Wilmington. The program began as a practical law curriculum project designed by Georgetown University law students. Street Law, Inc. has grown into a national and international organization providing high school students the opportunity to work in legal services and learn about the day-to-day activities of practicing lawyers.
• Widener University Delaware Law School Diversity Summer Camp Program: Morris James sponsors the Delaware Law School JURIST Academy. This scholastic summer camp strives to increase the participation of minority groups in law school. Rising college-age seniors are introduced to the legal profession and experience the dynamics of a law school classroom. Students also learn the critical thinking and analytical skills used by successful law students. Lewis H. Lazarus and Patricia A. Winston have volunteered as speakers and guest professors at this Academy.