Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Kubicki Draper is committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity for success and believes diversity is not only a moral imperative, but is also sound business practice. We believe a diverse law firm is a stronger, more vibrant one. Not only do different backgrounds, cultural perspectives, and life experiences reflect the communities in which we practice, but they broaden the talent pool from which we draw, and enhance our ability to maintain a competitive edge for our clients.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion resonates throughout our organization, including the staff, directors and ownership. We value the innovative ideas persons of diverse backgrounds bring to our pool of thought which benefit our firm culture and, ultimately, our clients.
To cement our culture of inclusiveness, the firm created a diversity committee consisting of attorneys and staff. The committee recommends, implements and monitors the firm's policies and practices as it relates to race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, pregnancy condition, disability, military service and other cultural and self-identification factors.
This commitment to diversity and inclusion is currently well reflected in our ownership. Our firm is forty percent minority owned, and is managed by a board that is comprised of fifty percent minority members. While we are proud of our record of inclusiveness, the leadership at Kubicki Draper remains vigilant in making sure ladders of opportunity remain open. We hold our shareholders, management, and staff accountable to not only bringing in the best talent across the spectrum of employees, but mentor, develop and encourage excellence by creating an environment where all our employees feel empowered to do their best.
Our team participates in a variety of organizations at all levels – as members, officers, volunteers:
Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association
Cuban American Bar Association
The Caribbean Bar Association
Hispanic National Bar Association
National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA)
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida
Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Hillsborough County Association for Women Lawyers
National Association of Women in Construction
National Black Lawyers
George Edgecomb Bar Association
Claim Litigation Management Alliance and Defense Research Institute Diversity Committees
Additionally, we proudly participate in law school and other organizations’ sponsored diversity events and mentoring programs throughout the State of Florida.
Meet Our DEI Committee Members:
Danielle Capitini, AssociateEarleen Cote, Committee Co-Chair, Equity Partner
Sha-Mekeyia Davis, Associate
Aileen Diaz, Marketing/Client Relations Director
Linda Girgenti, Paralegal
Jason Lennon, HR Director
Oscar Arevalo, Accounting
Wallace Richardson, Associate
Harold Saul, Co-Chair
Rosemarie Silva, Executive Director / COO
Kendra Therrell, Shareholder
Toni Turocy, Shareholder
Charles Watkins, Chief DE&I Officer
Our Team's Leadership Roles Within Diversity Organizations
Charles Watkins
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (past co-chair); Annual Conference/Diversity Open House Committee; National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), Founding Member and Treasurer - Florida Chapter – helped establish NAAIA Florida Endowed Scholarship in Risk Management/Insurance at the Florida State University (FSU) College of Business. This endowment is part of the newly formed NAAIA Florida Scholarship Program which aims to provide scholarship and job opportunities to African-American and minority students in the risk management profession.Jennifer Feld
Anti-Defamation League Glass Leadership Institute, West Palm Beach, Chair (2014-2015); Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL), Member (2018- present); Lactation Room Project Committee (2018-2019); Lactation Room Task Force Committee, Co-Chairperson (2019-present)Toni Turocy
The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, Holocaust Remembrance Committee, Co-Chair, 2017-2019 The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, Board of Directors
Diversity-Focused Presentations:
Charles Watkins
“RESPECT Is My Preferred Pronoun,” CLM Conference, June 25, 2020“All About U.S. Supreme Court's First African-American Justice," Black History Month with Miami-Dade Schools at William H. Turner Technical High School, 2021
“Diversity Equity & Inclusion: A Call to Action,” National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA)
Jennifer Feld
“Paths to Partnership," Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2020"The Past, Present, & Future of Parental Leave in the Legal Profession," Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association, 2020
"Effective Solutions for Supporting and Promoting Women Lawyers," Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers, 2019
"Women Leaders, Career Path, and Work/Life Balance," Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School, 2019
Diversity-Focused Publications
Kendra Therrell, Charles Handel Watkins, Sha-Mekeyia N. Davis, Wallace L. Richardson
“Perspectives: KD Attorneys Reflect On Their Experiences With Racism And Their Hopes For The Future,” KD Quarterly / LinkedIn, November 2020Jennifer Feld
“The Prevalence of Opposition to Motions to Continue to Accommodate Parental Leave,” St. Petersburg Bar Association Paraclete, February 2020“Maternity Leave, Lactation Rooms and Firm Culture - Keys to Law Firm Diversity,” Law.com, March 2019
Co-author of “Lactation Rooms: The Personal and Professional Pursuit of Equality for Women in the Legal Profession,” St. Petersburg Bar Association Paraclete, January 2019
“A New Mother's Guide to Pumping During a Jury Trial,” Daily Business Review, August 2018
Women and/or Minorities Board Member Positions In Organizations
Marsha Moses
Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Diversity and Inclusion Committee ChairHillsborough County Bar Association - Diversity Committee Co-Chair (2018-2020)
Rebecca Brock
FLABOTA, Statewide Membership ChairPalm Beach County Bar Association, Board of Directors for the North County Section
University of Florida College of Law, Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees
University of Florida Alumni Association, Board of Directors
ChildNet, Board of Directors
Diversity-Focused Professional Event Participation
Charles Watkins
CLM Conference, June 2020 – presented “RESPECT Is My Preferred Pronoun”Marsha Moses, Teodora Siderova, Alvis Horne, Chelsie Lyons, Jovani Monexil
Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s 12th Annual Diversity Networking Social
Financial Dedication to Diversity Organizations, Programs and Events
National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA)Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s 12th Annual Diversity Networking Social
Florida Memorial University Legal Scholars Pipeline Program
Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL) Scholarship Program
Naples Asian Professional Association – Asia Fest
Holocaust Memorial Resource Center - White Rose Tribute Event
