Cole Schotz Launches DEI Counseling Practice

Cole Schotz P.C. announced today the formal launch of its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Counseling practice, which helps organizations advance their DEI goals while staying in compliance with evolving regulations.

As part of the firm’s Employment Law Department, the DEI Counseling group partners with key organization stakeholders in order to audit and advise on DEI practices and initiatives. Services range from developing practices and policies for attracting and retaining diverse talent to DEI education and guidance on pay equity and internal and external communications.

“While we have long provided employers with important guidance related to DEI initiatives, we are formalizing our DEI Counseling practice now as a result of growing client questions and demand,” said Randi Kochman, Co-Managing Shareholder and Chair of the firm’s Employment Law Department. “The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling that race-conscious admission programs are in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment has opened up employer DEI programs to increased scrutiny and potential allegations of discrimination for which our clients must be prepared.”

The DEI Counseling practice works with organizations to develop a deeper understanding of how DEI shapes their unique company culture, and then provides tailored guidance to support individualized business and DEI objectives while mitigating risk and legal exposure. The team is equipped to advise on best practices for advancing DEI within an organization and counseling on employee relations matters whether business related, DEI focused, and/or of a legal nature.

“We are committed to helping our clients create workplaces that are welcoming and inclusive to all,” said James A. Lewis, V, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Cole Schotz. “Effective DEI practices can advance business goals while providing employees with necessary tools to navigate challenges and opportunities in a culturally competent manner.”

In addition to legal services, the DEI Counseling group provides education through the following trainings: Leadership Development; Implementing DEI Initiatives and Programs; Fostering an Inclusive Workplace Environment; Developing Employee Onboarding Processes; Inclusivity Training and Professional Development; The What, Why and How of Sponsorship and Mentorship; and Educational Programming around Cultural and Heritage Months.

Please click here for more information on the firm’s DEI Counseling practice and here for details regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling referenced above and its potential implications for DEI initiatives.