Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan

In November 2015, consistent with our commitment to provide equal opportunities to all applicants and employees irrespective of their protected characteristics, our Executive Committee adopted a Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan. All Firm constituencies contributed to the Strategic Action Plan, which identifies several priority areas (legal recruitment, attorney and staff advancement, practice and professional development, and work/life balance issues) and includes goals and strategies for achieving these goals. While there is still much to accomplish, we are proud of the progress we are making toward our goals:

Conversations and Learning

Nutter Speaker Series for Diversity and Inclusion
This series advances the conversation and establishes greater understanding of diversity related issues within the various law school communities in Boston. Each year, local law school groups are invited to submit a program proposal for Firm sponsorship. Programs have included resume and interview workshops, training programs for building mentoring relationships between law students and practicing lawyers, programs focused on access to justice among different demographics, and other programs intended to foster conversations about diversity and inclusion issues relevant to law students.   

Expanding Opportunity

Mansfield Rule Certification
In 2020, Nutter received Mansfield Certification status. Participating in the Mansfield Rule initiative is a commitment by the Firm that we will consider an intentionally broad and diverse pool of candidates for leadership and high visibility positions within the Firm. The commitment applies to our selection of leaders within the Firm, our hiring of lateral attorneys, and our development of client service teams. The Mansfield Rule initiative also includes a commitment by the Firm to be transparent in our internal governance, particularly with our selection guidelines and job descriptions for existing management roles and committees. 

Pacesetters
Nutter partners with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and a cohort of Boston companies who use their collective purchasing power to create opportunities at scale for local businesses with the aim of improving economic inequality in our surrounding communities.

Governance

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committees
Our EDI Executive Committee works in conjunction with the EDI Action Committee to foster a diverse, united, and dynamic firm community, where attorneys and administrative professionals all contribute as a team, draw on varied life experiences to devise creative, practical solutions for our clients, and feel valued, heard and included in the workplace, whether on-site or remote. To achieve this vision, the Committees have clear goals: to build a dynamic, diverse workforce through hiring and recruitment efforts that encourage people from all groups and backgrounds to join the firm; to cultivate an inclusive, empowering work environment, where all traditions and life experiences are valued equally; and to ensure equal opportunities for all employees by reinforcing an expectation of equity throughout the Firm and continually assessing our progress toward our vision. Our EDI Executive Committee is co-chaired by two partners with decades of experience leading diversity and inclusion initiatives, both within the firm and in the greater Boston legal community. EDI Executive Committee members include the chairs of the Hiring, Lateral Hiring, and Legal Personnel committees, with ex-officio representation from our business development, marketing, and talent teams. Our EDI Action Committee is composed of attorneys and staff, who work to devise and implement strategies and initiatives to further the goals and objectives of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Action Plan.  

Training and Development

Our mentoring programs and circles support our associates in achieving their fullest professional potential.

NutterWell
A sub-committee of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Committee devoted to developing and promoting wellbeing initiatives that foster a healthy, happy, and productive environment at the firm. We strive to support whole-being wellness for our attorneys and professional staff through stress resiliency training, step challenges, mindfulness sessions, on-site massages, healthy eating tips, and financial planning strategies.   

Pro Bono and Community Service

At Nutter, we are committed to social justice and progressive social causes. Our founder, Louis Brandeis, is often credited as being the firm prominent lawyer to provide legal services in the public interest without charging a fee. Today, we continue that proud tradition by being a founding member and challenge participant in the Pro Bono Institute’s Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge. Law firms that become Signatories to the Challenge acknowledge their institutional, firm-wide commitment to provide legal services to low income and disadvantaged individuals and families and non-profit groups. Each year, Nutter proudly honors its commitment to spend three percent of the firm’s paying client billable hours on pro bono work. Recent projects include our initiative with Dell EMC to take on cases for Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and our work with the Civil Appeals Clinic's Pro Bono Program. Nutter attorneys also engage in a wide variety of civic, charitable, educational, social, and political efforts in the communities in which they live and work. They hold leadership roles in scores of non-profit organizations both locally and across the United States.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Nutter partners with KIND to advocate for the rights of unaccompanied migrant and refugee children in the U.S.

Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR)
Nutter is a founding member of LCR, which aims to foster equal opportunity and fight discrimination on behalf of people based on their race or nation of origin. Nutter contributes to LCR’s mission in many ways, including through board membership, pro bono work, and by providing financial support.

NutterCares
A sub-committee of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Committee devoted to creating volunteer opportunities for the Nutter community. Attorneys and staff work together to plan and execute a variety of community outreach. Over the last few years, we participated in donating or volunteering for the Greater Boston Food Bank, One Warm Coat, Women’s Lunch place, Birthday Wishes, Gift-a-Vet, Cradles to Crayons, and Playworks. We have also made monetary donations to various charitable organizations nominated by an attorney or staff member of Nutter. 

Small Business Strong
Nutter is one of the original law firms participating in this private and public sector partnership set up to help small businesses. We recognize that our 650,000 Massachusetts small businesses are the lifeblood of our towns, cities and communities. Small Business Strong provides expedited, pro-bono resources to small businesses ranging from access to capital to consulting, business restructuring, business growth, digital marketing and customer engagement plans.

Accessibility Statement

Nutter is committed to providing a website that is accessible to all audiences, regardless of ability or technology. Our website substantially complies with the World Wide Web Consortium’s WCAG Version 2.1. We are continuously improving the user experience to ensure digital accessibility to all persons, including those with disabilities, and have committed to an annual review to ensure we are up to date on any changes in ADA guidelines. If you have any accessibility suggestions or concerns, please email us at accessibility@nutter.com or call 617.439.2000.