Bernard Taylor and Cari Dawson Featured in Diversity Article in Atlanta Business Chronicle

Bernard Taylor and Cari Dawson are featured in an article titled “Learn from diversity efforts of large companies,” which appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle on May 11. The article stated that Alston & Bird “has long been committed to an inclusive workplace, but several years ago decided to formalize its diversity efforts.” Bernard pointed out that “We wanted to formalize our process because we no longer had just African-Americans and white lawyers at our firm, but other minorities as well.” Cari suggested that smaller firms should conduct an assessment and form a committee “consisting of women and minorities but also white males, to come together to share ideas. Specific goals should be set.” Bernard also noted that companies should make sure that women and minorities have a real opportunity to advance. The article included some of Alston & Bird’s statistics, which tell the story of the firm’s commitment to diversity: since 2002 the number of women attorneys has risen from 181 to 228 and the number of minority lawyers increased from 45 to 83 and minority partners from 10 to 19.