Our commitment to inclusion means fostering a collegial and respectful working environment in which each person is encouraged and assisted in reaching their full potential.
Throughout the years, we have implemented many programs and initiatives designed to promote equal opportunity and inclusiveness both within the firm and the legal profession as a whole. Some of these activities include the following:
Awarded Mansfield Rule Certification Plus Status
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Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that for two years in a row, it has been awarded Mansfield Certification Plus status, the highest level of designation in the Mansfield program.
The Mansfield program is a science-backed, data-driven framework aimed at helping participating law firms boost inclusivity, access, and diversity when considering candidates for hiring and leadership opportunities. After taking part in the year-long, structured process, law firms are awarded Certification status based on their commitment to transparency, accountability, and knowledge-sharing.
Internal Educational Programming
Our Opportunity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee emphasizes growth and development through a variety of educational programs, speakers, and facilitators to nurture a collaborative and collegial working environment. Attorneys and Administrative Professionals also have the opportunity to participate in workshops on topics such as unconscious bias, emotional intelligence, and microaggressions.
As part of our bInclusive Speaker Speries, Bodman hosted Chris De Santis, a nationally renowned speaker, consultant, and author who specializes in workplace interventions, for a firm-wide discussion on embracing and learning from the generational differences our colleagues bring to the workplace. in the past year, Bodman also invited the below:
- In March, Bodman welcomed Haley Moss, a lawyer, author, and the first openly autistic person admitted to the Florida Bar. Haley spoke about embracing the unique and valuable perspectives neurodiverse individuals bring to the workplace, challenging ableism, and empowering the next generation of neurodivergent self-advocates.
- In conjunction with the Juneteenth holiday, Bodman hosted the Director of the University of Michigan Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, who joined the Firm to share valuable insight into the historical background of Juneteenth, its continuing relevance today, and ways for all Americans to appropriately celebrate the holiday.
- In September, the DEI and Culture & Social Action Committees jointly welcomed Rebecca Braitling and Sue Covelli-Buntley, co-founders of UpSpiral Leadership®, for a Firm-wide discussion on “courageous civility”. They shared their UpSpiral Leader Mindset to help guide us all to think bigger, act bolder, and collaborate better in our professional and personal lives.
Participation in The Wolverine Bar Association Summer Clerkship Program
Established in the 1930s by a group of African-American attorneys, the Wolverine Bar Association (WBA) was organized to coordinate the energies and talents of the increasing number of African-American attorneys admitted to practice throughout the State of Michigan. Throughout the years, the Wolverine Bar Association has assumed a leadership role in the metropolitan Detroit political and legal community, and our attorneys have historically been members and have held leadership roles.
The Wolverine Bar Association’s Summer Clerkship Program is designed to increase racial and ethnic diversities within the legal profession by placing first-year law students in clerkship positions that will provide opportunities to establish a network of contacts, develop practice skills, and acquire other benefits. Bodman participates in the Wolverine Bar’s Summer Clerkship Program by considering 1L law clerks from the WBA program each year, and the firm has extended offers of full-time employment to the majority of our candidates after they graduated from law school.
Bodman has also hosted nearly 50 law students and volunteer attorneys for a career preparation workshop in collaboration with the WBA. The workshop begins with a panel discussion on how to draft an effective resume and the do’s and don’ts of legal interviewing. Then, it transitions into mock interviews between attorney volunteers and law students, followed by detailed feedback tailored to each interviewee and a networking lunch.
Contribution to the Richard D. Rohr Scholarship at the University of Michigan
The Richard D. Rohr Scholarship was established by Bodman and several of its attorneys in 2008 in memory of Mr. Rohr, who served as Chair of Bodman for 25 years. Mr. Rohr was a proud University of Michigan Law School alumnus and served as an adjunct faculty member of the Law School. Each year, the Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding second- or third-year Michigan Law student who plans to practice in Michigan and demonstrates financial need, with preference given to graduates of Detroit high schools or graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities or Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
Support of and Participation in the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Foundation
The Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM) Foundation supports the education of women who show leadership in advancing the position of women in society, working to realize this mission by raising money to provide scholarship awards to outstanding women law students attending Michigan law schools. Since 1997, the WLAM Foundation has awarded over $610,500 to 252 women law students.
Bodman’s Featured Faces
Developing a sense of community allows us to appreciate the differences and perspectives of everyone at the firm. One of our efforts is our Featured Faces publication, a regular series of staff and attorney profiles that highlights their interests outside of the firm. This helps maintain personal connections, despite the firm’s large size.
Signed the State Bar of Michigan’s Pledge to Achieve Diversity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession
The State Bar of Michigan actively promotes the importance of diversity and inclusion in the profession. As our country becomes increasingly diverse, and business entities are rapidly responding to the needs of global customers and suppliers by creating workforces from many different backgrounds, perspectives and skill sets, clients are expecting — and sometimes even demanding — lawyers who are culturally diverse. The State Bar of Michigan has created a Pledge to Achieve Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession that law firms, law schools, bar associations, individuals, and other entities in the legal profession are encouraged to sign, indicating their belief that diversity and inclusion are core values to the legal profession and their continued commitment to continue working with others to achieve these goals in education, hiring, retention, and promotion of Michigan’s attorneys and in the elevation of attorneys to leadership positions within these organizations, the judiciary, and the profession.
Participation and Membership in the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities and Its Law Honor Roll Initiative
The Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities was organized in 1941 to foster religious and racial brotherhood. Throughout the years, this civil rights organization has played a key role in combating discrimination and promoting racial and religious harmony. It is a leader in promoting understanding among racial, religious, cultural, and economic groups within metropolitan Detroit. Today, the Michigan Roundtable provides effective programs that are geared toward combating all types of discrimination and building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community.
The Michigan Roundtable’s Law Honor Roll initiative brings together representatives from the legal profession to promote the recruitment of diverse talent and support the efforts to retain a diverse workforce within the industry. Law Honor Roll members have pledged to support the Michigan Roundtable’s work and to help make our workplaces and communities welcoming to people of all races, faiths, and ethic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Bodman is a founding member of the Michigan Roundtable’s Law Honor Roll, and three Members of the Firm are active with the Roundtable: Damali A. Sahu is a current member of the Board of Directors, Robert J. Diehl, Jr. is an ex-officio member and past Chair of the Board of Directors, and Kathleen O’Callaghan Hickey is a past member of the Board of Directors.
Social Action and Community Involvement
We also participate and support the community surrounding us and in which we live. Our attorneys participate both individually and as a firm in community activities, charitable events, and local races. The organizations in which we support and participate include:
- Life Remodeled. Life Remodeled is a Detroit-based nonprofit that seeks to revitalize neglected Detroit neighborhoods. Bodman is a longtime supporter of Life Remodeled, providing volunteers to perform hand-on work as part of the organization’s initiatives and providing pro bono legal services. In September 2024, a group of Bodman volunteers participated in Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project, removing blight, trimming overgrown bushes and weeds, mowing yards, picking up trash and debris, and beautifying vacant properties on Detroit’s eastside.
- Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan (CCSEM) is the charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Detroit. It provides compassionate, quality, professional services and support to people in need. Bodman works with CCSEM on various service and fundraising activities throughout the year.
- Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan. Headquartered in Detroit, Gleaners serves five Southeast Michigan counties by providing food to more than 400 partner agencies, including schools, soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and others across the region. Bodman has organized service days for Gleaners which involve activities such packing food boxes for distribution to local families in need, and sorting and packing fresh fruits. Damali A. Sahu currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Gleaners.
- Matrix Human Services. Matrix Human Services is a Detroit-based nonprofit that focuses on educating children, supporting families, and rebuilding neighborhoods in the Detroit community. Bodman attorneys and staff have donated money and supplies and volunteered their time to organize holiday activities for kids in addition to serving on the organization’s consulting advisory board (Andrew H. Curoe).
- Habitat for Humanity Detroit. Habitat for Humanity Detroit was founded in 1986 and has served nearly 400 families in Detroit, moving them from substandard and poverty living conditions to more stable home environments. Bodman has provided pro bono legal services and volunteered in their Home Build projects where volunteers dug out old pieces of concrete along the perimeter of the basement, weeded the front yard, and painted the home’s exterior on the east side of Detroit.
At Bodman, we have long recognized that an inclusive workplace is not only a moral imperative; it is also critical to providing our clients with innovative, high-quality legal solutions. We make meaningful strides toward strengthening relationships among our people and ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported.
While we are certainly proud of the work we have done, we also believe that the path toward a more inclusive workplace is a journey, not a destination. We plan to continue to drive change that not only benefits our firm, but also the broader community we serve.