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.
Accolades
- #1 spot in Law 360’s Annual Diversity Survey among firms with 101-250 attorneys.
- Top tier ranking on The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard for 2021. As a newcomer to the list, we are honored to have stepped in at #5
- Top 3 law firms on The National Law Journal’s (NLJ) Women in Law Scorecard for 2022. The scorecard ranks 350 of the largest law firms in the country by their percentage of female attorneys and partners.
- RING Certified (Recognizing Inclusion for the Next Generation -- a new gold standard to identify, promote, and celebrate qualifying organizations.
- 2020 Best Lawyers “Women in the Law” Spring Business Edition, Laurie Adams, Caryn Bellus, Angela Flowers, Betsy Gallagher, Jane Rankin
- The National Black Lawyers Top 100 in Florida, Charles Watkins, Wallace Richardson, II
- The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 Members in Florida, Jonathan Aihie
- 2019 Outstanding Community Partner, Michael Carney/Kubicki Draper, Miami-Dade School District
- ProvenBase Top 100 Powerful DEI Leaders of 2022, Charles Watkins
Organizations Our Team Works With at All Levels (members, officers, volunteers)
Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association
Cuban American 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
The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida
AARP's free thought leadership initiative, the "Living, Learning, and Earning Longer Collaborative"
Additionally, we proudly participate in law school and other organizations’ sponsored diversity events and mentoring programs throughout the State of Florida.
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.
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 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 2020
Women and/or Minorities Board Member Positions In Organizations
Marsha Moses
Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair
Hillsborough County Bar Association - Diversity Committee Co-Chair (2018-2020)
Rebecca Brock
FLABOTA, Statewide Membership Chair
Palm 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
Financial Dedication to Diversity Organizations, Programs and Events
American Jewish Committee – Sponsorship of the 2021 Judge Learned Hand AwardAsian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida (“APABA”)
Florida Memorial University – Sponsorship in The Galleon Foundation Booklet
Florida Bar D&I Symposium
FSU Foundation – Racial Justice Advocacy Fund
Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s 12th Annual Diversity Networking Social
Holocaust Memorial Resource Center – Corporate Sponsorship Dinner Tribute
Holocaust Memorial Resource Center - White Rose Tribute Event
Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation
Miami Carol City Senior High Law Magnet College Tour Donation
Naples Asian Professional Association, Asia Fest
National African American Insurance Association
Tampa Bar Jewish Family Services, Trifecta Sponsorship Annual Fundraiser
Scholarship Contributions
FSU Foundation – Racial Justice Advocacy FundNational African American Insurance Association Florida, Endowment Scholarship, Florida State University College of Business
National African American Insurance Association Florida, Endowment Scholarship, FAMU
Florida Memorial University K.B. Watkins Undergraduate Scholarship, 2017-present
Florida Memorial University Legal Scholars Pipeline Program
Florida Association of Women Lawyers Scholarship Program, Miami-Dade
Westminster Christian School Minority Scholarship Fund
Our DEI Committee Members
Aileen Diaz, Marketing/Client Relations DirectorAmanda Bridges, Paralegal
Ashley Johns, Associate
Charles Watkins, Chief DEI Officer, Equity Partner
Clyde Mathes, Associate
Danielle Capitini, Associate
Earleen Cote, Co-Chair, Equity Partner
Harold Saul, Co-Chair, Equity Partner
Jason Lennon, HR Director
Jonathan Aihie, Shareholder
Kendra Therrell, Shareholder
Linda Girgenti, Paralegal
Mark Young, Shareholder
Marsha Moses, Shareholder
Michael Carney, Equity Partner
Oscar Arevalo, Accounting
Rosemarie Silva, Executive Director / COO
Sha-Mekeyia Davis, Associate
Toni Turocy, Associate
Wallace Richardson, Associate
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