About Katten
Katten is a full-service law firm with nearly 700 attorneys in locations across the United States and in London and Shanghai. Clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services turn to Katten for counsel locally, nationally and internationally. The firm’s core areas of practice include corporate, financial markets and funds, insolvency and restructuring, intellectual property, litigation, real estate, structured finance and securitization, transactional tax planning, private credit and private wealth. Katten represents public and private companies in numerous industries, as well as a number of government and nonprofit organizations and individuals.
Summary for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist (“DEI Specialist”) will work closely with the Firm’s Professional Development team, Legal Recruiting team, Diversity Committee, leaders of affinity groups and partners to support the Firm’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. The DEI Specialist will also collaborate with Human Resources and Finance to gather and analyze data on Firm DEI metrics in order to provide analytical answers to strategic questions about the Firm’s hiring, retention, and advancement practices. The DEI Specialist will further assist with responding to analytical portions of client, industry and other surveys and assist with applications for DEI-related awards and recognitions. The DEI Specialist will focus on executing specific strategies to embed diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency into the Firm’s day-to-day operations, including the training, hiring, retention and education for both the Firm’s attorney and business professional population. The DEI Specialist maintains professionalism and strict confidentiality in all client and Firm matters.
This position can be located in either the Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles – Century City, New York or Washington, D.C. office. Katten offers the opportunity to work from home with occasional office presence required (KattenFlex).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following. Other duties may be requested and/or assigned. Essential functions are primary job duties that an individual must be able to perform successfully with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Implement Firm initiatives set forth by the DEI Manager, Chief Diversity Partner, Director of Diversity Equity & Inclusion and Talent (“Director of DEI”) and the Diversity Committee (e.g., the Firm’s sponsorship initiative, inclusion-focused training, heritage month celebrations, diversity speaker series and bi-annual diversity retreat, etc.) to benefit both attorneys and business professionals.
Under the direction of the Chief Diversity Partner, manage the Firm’s participation in and response to client surveys, RFPs and related instruments regarding diversity, equity and inclusion in response to client inquiries. Under the direction of the DEI Manager, manage the Firm’s participation in and response to industry surveys regarding diversity, equity and inclusion and assist with applications for DEI-related awards, certifications, and recognitions.
Under the direction of the DEI Manager, and in collaboration with the Director of DEI, monitor progress made on the Firm’s diversity goals by gathering information for internal diversity statistical requests, tracking and monitoring internal diversity metrics, preparing reports for various internal project needs utilizing key HR and DEI metrics, obtaining feedback from internal affinity groups and maintaining and actively monitoring diversity hiring and attrition statistics.
Collaborate with Legal Recruiting department to support the Firm’s diversity recruiting efforts by identifying and applying current best practices in diversity recruitment to enhance the Firm’s ability to effectively recruit and retain a diverse pool of attorneys, including by supporting the Firm’s diversity pipeline program initiatives.
Partner with the Professional Development department to implement specific processes and plans to develop and retain attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, female attorneys and other under-represented attorneys. This includes supporting and implementing networking, mentorship, sponsorship, and both formal and informal training opportunities.
Collaborate with various areas of Talent leadership to provide analytical answers to strategic questions about talent processes, including retention and advancement, and collaborate with the DEI Manager to develop key performance indicators to create, enhance and/or maintain cyclical reporting.
Collaborate with the Firm’s Marketing and Business Development team on the communication of the Firm’s diversity commitment and activities on the Firm’s annual Talent Report, intranet, website, and other publications, and in response to client requests for proposals.
Under the direction of the DEI Manager, and in collaboration with the Director of DEI, monitor, update, and maintain the diversity, equity and inclusion budget encompassing, among other things, internal and external programs, initiatives, and sponsorships.
Support and provide guidance to the DEI Manager, Director of DEI, Director of HR and other Talent leaders with regard to DEI data collection, analysis and presentation.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of three (3) years of diversity and inclusion experience with increasing responsibility. Prior experience working in a law firm or professional services firm is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to provide high quality client service to internal and external contacts regarding routine and complex matters, and to develop and maintain effective business relationships with people of diverse backgrounds. Requires tact, patience, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and to make presentations to small and large groups in an effective manner.
Exceptional attention to detail, along with a demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple projects in a dynamic and complex environment, meeting deadlines and successfully managing the daily workload.
Intermediate knowledge of MS Suite to produce high quality written communications, including presentations, and advanced functions of Excel.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with others in a cooperative manner to accomplish work and participate in team efforts.
Demonstrated ability to represent the Firm with professionalism and honesty, consistently acting in an ethical manner.
Ability to occasionally retrieve and distribute files, written documentation, or office supplies weighing up to 10 pounds.
Ability and availability to travel to other Firm locations when required.
Work occasionally requires more than 37.5 hours per week (35 hours per week in New York) to perform the essential duties of the position.
We offer an outstanding benefit package which includes: medical/dental/vision, 401k with employer contribution; transportation fringe benefit program; back-up care option; generous paid time off policy; and long-term and short-term disability policies.
Katten will consider for employment qualified Applicants with Criminal Histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Article 9 to Chapter XVIII of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA-M/F/SO/Disability/Veteran.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 – $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chicago, IL 60661