Labor & Employment » Facebook Sets Diversity Minimums For Outside Law Firms

Facebook Sets Diversity Minimums For Outside Law Firms

April 3, 2017

Silhouettes of Business People Working in an Office

A year after starting a push to diversify its own work force, Silicon Valley giant Facebook is now imposing those same standards on law firms its works with. New standards require that women and ethnic minorities account for at least 33 percent of law firm teams working on its cases. In addition, law firms must show they “actively identify and create clear and measurable leadership opportunities for women and minorities” when they represent the company in litigation and other legal matters. “Firms typically do what their clients want,” Facebook General Counsel Colin Stretch told the New York Times. “And we want to see them win our cases and create opportunities for women and people of color. We think the firms are ready – our articulation gives not just permission but a mandate.” The Times notes that Facebook’s move is part of a trend; MetLife plans to announce a new policy this month pushing for diversity in outside legal counsel, and HP adopted a more stringent program in February. “Law is the least diverse white-collar profession,” Jane Lee, chief executive of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, told the Times.

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