Goodwin received the Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Award at the 2023 People in Law Awards, which took place May 4 in London. Now in its ninth year, the People in Law Awards recognize the very best Talent professionals and achievements across the legal industry.
Goodwin was recognized for a series of face-to-face Inclusive Leadership trainings that were specifically tailored to the firm’s UK, Germany, and Luxembourg offices. The trainings were based on insights gleaned from Goodwin’s global “Week of Inclusion,” the firm’s Inclusion Survey, and feedback from leadership and affinity groups such as CRED@Goodwin, Women@Goodwin, and Pride@Goodwin.
The session design began with education on what constitutes an “inclusive leader,” the definition of microaggressions, and was also accompanied by a self-reflection exercise. The main portion of the training involved dramatized scenarios and small group discussion on the key issues observed and how those involved could have responded differently.
Judges were impressed that, “Goodwin took real-life, challenging situations which had occurred within the firm, to create bespoke training that was delivered to make a real difference.”
The Inclusive Leadership training program was led by Goodwin’s Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Europe and Asia, Jessie Pitts, and the firm’s Senior Manager of Learning and Professional Development (“L+PD”) in Europe and Asia, Elisabetta Sammarco. Goodwin’s Coordinator of L+PD and DEI in Europe and Asia, Barbara Cambron, provided invaluable support.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion represents a Core Principle at Goodwin, which is articulated in the firm’s publicly stated goals. This program is one of many initiatives at the firm to ensure that DEI is embedded in Goodwin’s culture and processes around the world.