Katherine Tapley
US Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Norton Rose Fulbright
Headquarters: Houston and New York (US); London (Global)
Industry: Law firm
CEO: Jeff Cody, US managing partner
Website: www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-us
Credentials: JD, summa cum laude, St. Mary’s University School of Law, 2007; BA, BJ, French and Journalism with Public Relations Concentration, The University of Texas at Austin, 1999
Advancing equity in the workplace and in our communities is critical to Norton Rose Fulbright as a firm. Now more than ever, the company is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that is free from discrimination and injustice of any kind. It will continue to develop and execute plans of action to enact meaningful change at the firm and in our communities. It is imperative that the company recruits, retains and advances diverse lawyers and business services personnel, ensuring there is an abundant pipeline of qualified and diverse talent ready and willing to take on leadership roles in a firm where they know they are respected and appreciated. Continuing to grow diversity among the firm’s leadership is an important step in institutionalizing a diverse and inclusive culture. While Norton Rose Fulbright is proud of the strides it has made toward greater gender and racial equity, it cannot rest idly on that progress. It must fortify the infrastructure that has been developed, continuing to cultivate and foster programs that ensure a culture that is not just “equal,” but aggressively fair. The company must move beyond feelings of “I’m not doing anything wrong” towards an affirmative commitment to do something right. This requires individual honesty and accountability from all levels of firm personnel and is an important part of the work in this role.
