Burns & Levinson is committed to providing innovative, proactive, and expert advice and advocacy for our clients. We believe that embracing diversity in all aspects of the firm’s affairs is essential to our ability to achieve this goal and is consistent with our core values of excellence, mutual respect, integrity and personal, civic and professional growth and fulfillment.

“Diversity” is a term that refers to the differences and similarities in culture, background, and experiences that all people bring to their workplace, including, for example, age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, culture, religion, disabilities, family status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation and job responsibilities.

A work environment that welcomes and appreciates differences will enhance Burns & Levinson’s ability to attract, develop and retain the most talented and motivated workforce, to provide our clients with a wide range of creative and effective approaches to achieve their goals and to remain competitive in a fast-paced and changing legal marketplace.

Therefore, Burns & Levinson commits to:

  • create an institution which reflects and respects the diversity of the larger community we serve;
  • foster a work environment that recognizes, understands and appreciates differences; and
  • promote a work environment where no individual’s development or advancement is hindered by unlawful bias or prejudice, and all are inspired to contribute their best, strengthened by one another’s different perspectives, backgrounds and life experiences.

Our Course of Action:

Recruitment and Outreach

We will take a direct, coordinated and consistent approach to increasing the representation of underrepresented groups on all levels of the Firm, with a particular focus on increasing racial diversity.

Education and Dialogue

We will educate ourselves, raise our awareness of and sensitivity to diversity issues, and examine our stereotypes and assumptions.  We will foster honest, open and respectful communication, and develop a greater proficiency for addressing diversity issues on the personal, interpersonal and organizational level.

Retention, Training and Development

We will establish programs and mechanisms that promote the development of the skills we need to better serve our clients, and foster interpersonal and professional connections that will enhance our ability to work together on behalf of our clients.

Policies and Procedures

We will review and align existing policies, practices and procedures with the Firm’s diversity mission and, where necessary, establish new policies, practices and procedures to further promote our mission.

Marketing and Outreach

We will actively seek new opportunities to serve a broader and more diverse community of clients, and participate in and support community associations, organizations and programs that further the principles reflected in the Firm’s diversity mission.