Here at Gray Ice Higdon, we are dedicated to the advancement of the legal profession and our individual firm through the incorporation of attorneys and staff of all backgrounds. We recognize that our firm cannot function to its highest potential without the incorporation of ideas, views, and experiences from people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual identities and walks of life.
Additionally, we believe in fostering as much equity as possible within our firm by eliminating hurdles that employees face in their ability to perform their job. Gray Ice Higdon recognizes that no matter how many positive changes are made, there is always room for growth and improvement. Our number one priority is providing excellent service to our clients, and we believe maintaining a diverse, safe and positive space for our employees is an important component of delivering service to our clients.
To date, Gray Ice Higdon has implemented the following policies and programs, and has organized or encouraged our colleagues to participate in the following events, in furtherance of its commitment to creating an environment where all team members are included and belong:
– Inclusion & Belonging Committee (providing annual training and annual diversity report)
–Flexible work schedule
–Participation in the Google LSI program for underrepresented groups in the legal profession
–Parental Leave Policy recognizing all parents and families
–Attendance at job fairs for diverse or underrepresented candidates
–Pride Month 5K participation and additional firm events
–Juneteenth Celebration Event
–Educational communications and events for major holidays, special days, and months for underrepresented groups in the legal profession and greater society
–Firm-wide events for Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month, Black History Month, Native American History Month, and Women’s History Month
–CLE opportunities with diversity, equity, and inclusion subject matter
–Book Club for colleagues and family members focusing on stories told from underrepresented and minority viewpoints
From left to right: Jennifer Barbour, Katherine Ison, Jacob Rooks
Gray Ice Higdon has established an active Inclusivity Committee for the purpose of continuously identifying opportunities for our firm to enhance and improve inclusivity and equity for all employees and to provide a safe space for employees to discuss their concerns. Our Inclusivity Committee members act as a collaborative team with diverse backgrounds who constantly contribute ideas to better the firm. The committee also offers training and programming for our colleagues and recommended policies to firm leadership.
-Flexible work schedule
-Parental leave policy that recognizes all parents and families
-Attendance at job fairs for candidates from groups underrepresented in the legal community
-Management attendance and participation at inclusivity seminars
-CLE opportunities with inclusive subject matter
-Book club for colleagues and family members focusing on stories from the perspective of underrepresented groups
-Distribution of educational communications for major holidays, special occurrences, and dedicated months for underrepresented groups in the legal profession and society
-Implicit bias training
-Firm Sponsored Programming for:
The Google Legal Summer Institute (GLSI) is a program for underrepresented 2L law students that matches students with law firms around the country. Students spend one week at Google’s headquarters in California, gaining valuable legal knowledge. The students are then sent to work with the law firm that they were matched with for the remainder of the summer.
Gray Ice Higdon is proud to say that our attorneys have worked with seven students from the GLSI, and we look forward to welcoming more.
NOTICE: Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information about any legal matter until we authorize you to do so. To initiate a possible representation, call us by telephone at 502.677.4729. By clicking the “ACCEPT” button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that, even if you submit information that you consider confidential, our review of that information will not create an obligation on us to keep it confidential and will not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you.
NOTICE: Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information about any legal matter until we authorize you to do so. To initiate a possible representation, call us by telephone at 502.677.4729. By clicking the “ACCEPT” button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that, even if you submit information that you consider confidential, our review of that information will not create an obligation on us to keep it confidential and will not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you.