Kelly Noonan Featured in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Article in Seattle Magazine
Stokes Lawrence Managing Shareholder Kelly Twiss Noonan was recently quoted in an article about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) that appeared in Seattle Magazine. The article, “Why Diversity & Inclusion Matter,” covers how local businesses are developing ambitious DEI initiatives to improve their businesses and more closely reflect the emerging social consciousness of diversity issues.
In the article, Kelly noted that the firm has had a Diversity Committee for 15 years, and that the racial justice events of the past year have raised employees’ interest in educating themselves and taking action regarding racial inequality.
Stokes Lawrence has a strong history of gender diversity. The firm became a majority women-owned firm in early 2020 and is a certified Women Business Enterprise. The firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is continuing its efforts on racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion, both within the firm and in the broader legal profession and community. As part of that commitment, the committee recently finalized a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Mission Statement, which outlines the firm’s focus on creating an equitable and inclusive culture and advancing opportunities and equity in the legal profession. The committee is currently in the process of developing a 5-year action plan to implement the ideal in the Mission Statement.
“I think people are really serious about wanting to change things and realizing that they can’t just count heads without thinking about the cultural process,” Kelly stated.