Baker & Daniels has an active internal diversity committee which is made up of a diverse subsection of our firm and serves as the centerpiece for our commitment to support and promote diversity in all aspects of our management, administration and operations. The committee is chaired by partner Joe Smith, who reports directly to the firm's executive committee and is responsible for driving diversity initiatives and accomplishments. The committee is comprised of attorneys and professionals representing differences in ethnicity, gender, background, lifestyles, culture, disability and viewpoints. With the full support of firm management, the diversity committee oversees our strategic plan on diversity issues and is held accountable by firm management for tangible and measurable results.
Baker & Daniels' diversity committee meets quarterly and reports to the entire firm on initiatives and progress. It is broken into four subcommittees devoted to recruitment, retention and professional advancement, community outreach, and internal and external communications. The firm's Chief Executive Partner, Tom Froehle, and Managing Partner for Practices, Greg Utken, both sit on the firm's diversity executive committee.
Diversity Coordinator
The firm employs a full-time Diversity and Pro Bono Coordinator, Brita Horvath. Brita works with the chairs of the diversity and inclusion and pro bono committees, as well as other legal professionals and staff, to coordinate all aspects of diversity and pro bono to help develop initiatives and strategies to advance the firm's ongoing commitment in both arenas. The firm was the first in Indiana to hire a full-time staff member for this type of position.