Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Industry: Law
CEO: Thomas Edwards
Website: www.msk.com

Melanie Figueroa/Emma Luevano/Gregory Olaniran, Co-Chairs, Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Their Credentials: Melanie Figueroa JD, Fordham University School of Law; Emma Luevano JD, Stanford Law School; Gregory Olaniran JD, The George Washington University School of Law

Their Philosophy: “All things excellent are as difficult as they are rare.” – Baruch Spinoza

Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp added two diverse female partners in 2019, Melanie Figueroa and Emma Luevano, to serve with Gregory Olaniran as co-chairs of its D&I Committee.

The firm implemented training and programming in 2019, including Case Management, Top 10 Things CA Lawyers Need to Know about the Revised Rules of Professional Conduct, Communication Techniques to Break through Gender Bias, Generating Business Opportunities and Authentic Selling, and Navigating Different Interaction Styles.

Initiatives included an associate review process, maternity/parental leave policy, part-time program, partner compensation review committee, mentoring program, lateral hiring, student recruiting, associate development and retention efforts (such as a writing program and individual coaching), and hosting the firm’s first Women’s Retreat.

In 2020, MSK plans to focus on and improve retention; promotion, advancement and compensation; and communications across differences. The firm will also focus on hiring diverse top talent at all levels and creating and fostering leadership positions across the firm, especially for women in leadership roles.