Earlier this year, I was asked to serve as chair of Affinitas, Baker Donelson's LGBTQ affinity group. In agreeing to take on this role, I shared two areas of focus I believe are critical to the success of Affinitas and our Firm: (i) recruitment and retention of LGBTQ attorneys and staff and (ii) client development. These goals derive from the importance I place on excellent client service from myself and my team. Excellent client service requires a diversity of perspectives in order to provide the best advice and out-of-the-box thinking.
Prior to joining Baker Donelson, I spent ten years at a Wall Street law firm that has been a leading thinker on diversity issues since its inception. I saw there the importance clients placed on hearing diverse voices, and how a firm can effectively recruit, retain and promote those voices. I hope to use this role to help continue to develop our existing LGBTQ attorneys and staff, recruit new voices, and connect them with clients, including those who have their own diversity initiatives. Recruiting and developing excellent attorneys and staff are key to being a best run business and our sustained growth.
If you have any questions regarding Affinitas, please feel free to reach out to me at nkressler@bakerdonelson.com or 504.566.5207.