Affinity Groups
Professional affinity groups have expanded from sources of social support to become workplace spaces that inspire innovation and improve employees’ performance and job satisfaction. GRSM has experienced firsthand the impact of our own affinity groups in helping us live our values and expand inclusion in our firm culture.
The power of personal connection energizes our Affinity Groups.
Our groups are built around people who have traditionally been underrepresented in the legal profession. Each group addresses the unique concerns and goals of its members while upholding the firm’s commitment to provide support and resources to all our attorneys.
Defined by meaningful conversations, exchanges of ideas, education and opportunities for socializing and networking, our Affinity Groups also look to build bridges and invite allies across the firm and beyond. Open to all attorneys, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic background, our Affinity Groups bring shared experience and future purpose to the forefront of our diversity and inclusion commitment.
The African American Affinity Group is dedicated to fostering the success of African American professionals across the firm. The group provides a platform for GRSM colleagues to support one another both professionally and personally. It encourages its members to participate in organizations outside of the firm that align with the group’s mission, such as local bar organizations or national outfits that promote the fellowship and advancement of African Americans in the legal field. The group actively engages in recruiting African American attorneys, and other professionals, to the firm.
The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group focuses on meaningful and sustainable mentoring, networking and sponsorship of its members. Its mission is to encourage the retention and advancement of AAPI attorneys within the firm. The group fosters informal mentoring relationships to support personal and professional development and aligns with external regional and national organizations with similar goals.
The Hispanic/Latino Affinity Group serves as a resource for furthering the networking, mentoring and career development of Hispanic/Latino attorneys. The group engages with the Hispanic/Latino community and participates in Hispanic Heritage Month events and local and national bar organizations.
The Jewish Affinity Group’s goal is to provide a space for communication among our Jewish attorneys and others who are interested in issues faced in their practices and lives. The group’s mission is to be a visible presence to those who identify as Jewish or are interested in Jewish culture. Our goals are to network, share our stories among ourselves and the larger GRSM community, and build connections within the firm. We aim to create a platform where our shared cultural experiences can be discussed, recognized, respected and blended with other groups within the firm and society.
The LGBTQ+ Affinity Group works to increase LGBTQ+ visibility and representation within the firm and the broader community. Its mission is to highlight and address the unique issues facing the LGBTQ+ community and to provide support and mentoring opportunities to its members. The group also engages with regional and national LGBTQ+ organizations aligned with its mission.
GRSM has consistently achieved a perfect score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (CEI) since 2016. This national benchmarking survey and report, administered by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation, assesses corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
The South Asian Affinity Group fosters relationships nationwide among the firm’s South Asian lawyers. It encourages mentoring, networking, and cross-marketing while providing an open forum to discuss and promote the expansion and advancement of our firm’s South Asian presence, as well as the personal and professional advancement of each member. One focus is on the retention and elevation of South Asian associates through mentorship, collaboration and open communication. The group works with local, regional and national organizations with a similar mission.
The Women’s Initiative at GRSM is committed to providing leadership, inspiration and opportunity for women. It was created to facilitate the advancement of women at GRSM and to advance the opportunities for women in the legal profession overall.
Throughout the firm, a range of best practices programs focus on networking activities, speaking engagements, business education, and mentoring advice. They are intended to help develop leadership competencies, management skills, and business-generating abilities critical to the professional development of women lawyers.
We emphasize these priorities to ensure that women are equipped with the knowledge, experience and skills required to take advantage of more and better opportunities. The success of our Women’s Initiative enables GRSM to achieve an important goal of attracting and retaining women lawyers and helping them succeed in their professional goals.
“GRSM’s commitment to diversity, in all facets of its work, is one of the firm’s enduring qualities and a cornerstone of success. The African American Affinity Group has proven to be invaluable. It provides a productive forum for professionals to support one another in their personal and professional growth, and it’s also a vehicle for the education of our colleagues about issues unique to the African American community.”
“At my prior firm, I was the first Asian American partner. Here I appreciate the strong community of Asian Americans at the firm, including partners, associates and staff. The AAPI Affinity Group provides support and mentoring opportunities at a scale I had never experienced before. The opportunity to make an impact exists at all levels of the firm.”
“Receiving and providing strong mentorship and making meaningful connections with colleagues are the reasons I have been practicing at GRSM for over 20 years. GRSM has always recognized the value of diversity and inclusion, but as our firm continues to grow, there is an even greater need to develop, support, and elevate the visibility of our Latino and Hispanic attorneys.”
“GRSM has been steadfast in its commitment to diversity. This not only includes its perpetual pledge to hire, mentor, support and promote LGBTQ+ attorneys but also to ensure the relationships the firm builds with communities and its client base advocate this mission as well. In the past 15 years, I have seen how GRSM encourages a workplace where all can proudly bring their true self to the table.”
“Under the umbrella of our Diversity Committee, the South Asian Affinity Group captures the spirit of colleagues who share an affinity for South Asian heritage. The group provides an invaluable platform to connect with and support others and allows for open discussion of experiences, challenges, knowledge and as collaboration across our GRSM community.”
“Our Jewish Affinity group offers a platform for open discussion, acknowledgment, and integration of shared cultural experiences. This group was created to ensure our Jewish colleagues had a community within GRSM. Our overarching goal is to cultivate understanding and connectivity across our firm through shared narratives and mutual respect. By sharing our experiences, we continue to cultivate an inclusive environment where every voice is heard, valued and respected.”
