sentatives from a broad spectrum of diversity legal organizations, includ- ing: the Austin Asian American Bar Association, the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Texas Minority Counsel Program, Texas Women Lawyers, the State Bar of Texas Office of Minority Affairs, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, and the Austin LGBT Bar Association. We also invited dozens of diverse local law students who participated in a local mentoring program that was spon- sored by Dell and Fulbright. In addition to honoring Fulbright
at that event, we took advantage of the occasion to issue a challenge to our law firms to take their diversity efforts to the next level as we prepared to launch the first full year award com- petition. Te challenge, we are pleased to report, was embraced by many. Our in-house diversity committee
began by contacting more than 50 law firms that provide a significant amount of legal services to Dell. Nearly two dozen firms responded and provided extensive information about their diversity data, programs, and initiatives. Te committee reviewed these submissions and fol- lowed up with extensive videoconfer- ence interviews of the participating firms. Tis gave us an opportunity to probe, to (frankly) differentiate aspiration from accomplishment, and to ensure that the firms had a full opportunity to convey the depth and breadth of their commitment. After careful consideration we nar-
rowed the field to eight finalists: Baker Botts LLP; Boulette & Golden LLP; Farella Braun + Martel LLP; Fulbright & Jaworski LLP; Hogan Lovells US LLP; Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; Mayer Brown LLP; and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Even this was a tough task, as we were very impressed by all of the firms’ track records and accom- plishments, and they should feel proud of their commitments in this area.
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Choosing a winner from among these eight was even tougher. Ultimately, the committee emerged with a clear consensus to present the first full year award to Farella Braun + Martel. In December 2012, we held an
awards ceremony at our headquarters in honor of Farella Braun + Martel. Members of the firm were present to receive their award in front of the entire legal department, and the chairman of the firm, Steve Lowenthal, addressed the gathering and shared with us the firm’s long-standing commitment to diversity. We also set aside a full day for the firm to meet with representatives from across our department in order to
topics as well as provide practical advice for getting into and paying for college. Tirty students have partici- pated in this program so far and vir- tually every participant has gone on to college. Te program has been so successful that the law firm has made the curriculum available to other firms wishing to make a similar com- mitment to diversity. Several lessons from the program have been adopted by the American Bar Association’s Law Day, an annual event designed to teach students about the legal system and its importance.
• Creating an internal diversity committee that includes the firm’s chair. Te firm also has a Women’s Leadership Committee that connects women with mentoring and network- ing opportunities both inside and outside of the firm. And the firm has a diversity outreach program that pairs diverse associates with clients to give the associates opportunities to build direct client relationships.
LARRY TU PRESENTS STEVE LOWENTHAL OF FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL L.L.P. WITH THE DELL LEGAL DIVERSITY AWARD.
explore ways to expand the firm’s repre- sentation of Dell. At the event I shared some highlights of the firm’s impressive diversity efforts, which include:
• Handing out nearly a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships over the past 12 years to 54 diverse first-year law students. Tis program not only assists these students but also serves to build a strong pipeline of diverse lawyers for the future. In fact, two scholarship recipients have gone on to graduate and take posi- tions within the firm.
• Establishing a high school intern- ship program in 2007 to take diverse students and educate them on legal
• Celebrating the firm’s 50th anniversary this year by donating $500,000 to various charities and challenging every one of its employ- ees to volunteer 50 hours over the year to local charities, most of which serve diverse communities.
Celebrating the firm’s award was
a great first step but it wasn’t the final leg. We’ve introduced members of the winning firm to several groups of the Dell legal team, and I’ve asked our team to factor in Farella Braun’s commitment to diversity when selecting a law firm for new representation. We are looking for new ways to work with the firm as well and hope that other law firms will see that the Dell Legal Diversity Award is not just a notch on the belt but a true opportunity to deepen their relationship with Dell. D&B
Larry Tu is senior vice president, general counsel, and secretary of Dell Inc.
MARCH/APRIL 2013 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®
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