Coke Sets Diversity Targets, Financial Penalties for Outside Lawyers
Matt Kempner, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 29, 2021
Coca-Cola said it will require diversity among law firms who bill it for work in the United States and reduce payments if they don’t comply.
The Atlanta-based beverage giant’s general counsel, a recent hire from the top ranks of Ford, disclosed the changes in a letter Thursday to law firms the company uses.
“Quite simply, we are no longer interested in discussing motivations, programs, or excuses for little to no progress it’s the results that we are demanding and will measure going forward,” Bradley Gayton wrote.
Coca-Cola's general counsel is urging law firms to "effect real systemic change" by adhering to new requirements that outside counsel allocate a portion of work to diverse attorneys specifically Black lawyers or risk losing money or even future legal business with the Atlanta-based beverage giant, according to an open letter published online Thursday.
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Reed Smith boosts diversity agenda with billable-hours credit scheme
29 January 2021
Diversity and gender-related activities to count towards 50 hours of billable work
Shutterstock Reed Smith is encouraging its lawyers to carry out diversity and gender-related work by rewarding them with 50 hours of credit towards their billable time targets. The incentive scheme allows fee-earners and other timekeepers to spend time working on activities that fall under the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Women Initiative Network and Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP) programmes. Sandy Thomas, Reed Smith’s global managing partner, said: “Building an inclusive culture is integral to our business and should be rewarded and incentivised, not left to chance. Diversity is an area where Reed Smith has always been a leader in the legal industry, and this new policy is a real investment behind our own commitment and goals.”
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Two crossed lines that form an X . It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification. Bradley Gayton, the general counsel of Coca-Cola. Coca-Cola This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.
Black representation in Big Law remains low despite talk of diversity. As recently as last year, some major firms had no Black partners.
Bradley Gayton, Coca-Cola s top lawyer, has explicitly told law firms to give work to Black lawyers and identify potential Black relationship partners. I m trying to make it very clear that there s demand for diverse teams, Gayton said.