Inclusion & Diversity

Inclusion and diversity are core values at Bradley. Our law firm’s success relies on the ingenuity, intelligence, and interpersonal skills of our people. By employing attorneys and staff from a variety of backgrounds, we leverage a wide range of perspectives that help us achieve the results that we expect and our clients demand. Workplace diversity and inclusion are essential to our business strategies, professional ideals, and relationships with the clients and communities we serve. That is why we are committed to supporting strategic opportunities and platforms for discussion, reflection, and growth as we pursue a more diverse and engaged work environment.

Bradley’s success derives from the ingenuity, intelligence, values, skills, and diverse perspectives of our people. At Bradley, maintaining a working environment that is rewarding, respectful, collegial, diverse, and inclusive is one of our core values. Upholding that core value is a source of strength for our firm and is critical to delivering high-quality legal services to our clients. To that end, our objective is to attract, retain, and promote into leadership roles individuals who foster inclusion and reflect the diversity we value. Bradley is committed to a work environment in which our people thrive and reach their full professional potential regardless of age, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, and/or socio-economic status.

Inclusion and Diversity Goals Wheel Infographic | Training, Resource Groups, Diverse Partnerships, Firm Growth, Education and Awareness, Pipelines, Recruit, Develop and Advance

Bradley’s firmwide Inclusion & Diversity Committee works to shape diversity efforts both inside and outside of the firm through monthly meetings, firm initiatives, training sessions, discussion groups, and more.

Inclusion & Diversity Committee Graphic 2024

Bradley’s Resource Groups are designed to provide support to underrepresented minority groups and create a safe space for attorneys to connect, support and advocate for one another. 

Lawyers of Color Resource Group 

Bradley’s Lawyers of Color Resource Group’s purpose is to promote and support diverse attorneys by fostering and celebrating a community that engages with one another on a professional and personal level while embracing cultural differences. The group focuses on internal practices, policies and procedures, professional development, and business development, as well as recruiting and retention.

LGBTQ+ Resource Group

Bradley’s LGBTQ+ Resource Group was formed to increase the visibility of and promote the inclusion of the firm’s LGBTQ+ attorneys, to support the professional growth of its members, and to provide an understanding of unique issues facing LGBTQ+ attorneys and the broader LGBTQ+ community. In carrying out its vision, the group works to ensure and promote the firm’s commitment to hiring and retention of well-qualified LGBTQ+ attorneys, to explore avenues for personal and professional development for its members, and to carry forward the firm’s commitment to diversity and community service.

Military Veterans Resource Group 

Bradley’s Military Veterans Resource Group (MVRG) exists to connect service veterans and enhance the education, awareness and exchange of topics important to the military and veteran community. The MVRG seeks to both encourage and help recruit and retain former or current  military members, as well as engage in outreach and service activities for the military community outside the firm. The MVRG conducts periodic gatherings and meetings to celebrate the shared experiences of former or current military members. 

The Winn Initiative

A program committed to supporting women at the firm, Bradley’s Winn Initiative was named in honor of late partner Ellene Winn, who in 1957 became the first female partner in a law firm of substantial size in the Southeast. The program serves as an internal women’s career development group to foster and encourage a supportive environment within the firm. The group hosts programs that focus on boosting professional skills, leadership, mentoring, business development, and retention.

  • Human Rights Campaign HRC LogoAdvancing Women in Nashville
  • Alabama State Bar Diversity Committee
  • Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals
  • Association of Women Attorneys Foundation Houston
  • Charting Your Own Course
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity MemberCentral Alabama Pride
  • Corporate Counsel Women of Color
  • DEI Managers’ Roundtable
  • DRI Diversity for Success
  • National Association of Women LawyersGeorgia Latino Law Foundation
  • Georgia State Bar Diversity Committee
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Hispanic Bar Association of Houston
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Human Rights Campaign
  • Knoxville Bar Association Diversity Committee
  • The LGBT Bar LogoLavender Law Conference and Career Fair
  • Law Firm Antiracism Alliance
  • Lawyers Association for Women
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Magic City Bar Association
  • Magic City Classic
  • Mecklenburg County Bar Charlotte Diversity Recruiting Program
  • Momentum Women’s Leadership Program
  • Napier-Looby Bar Foundation
  • Nashville Pride Sponsorship
  • National Association of Women Lawyers
  • National Bar Association
  • National LGBT Bar Foundation
  • Reuben V. Anderson Center for Justice
  • Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women
  • University of Alabama Black Law Students Association
  • University of Mississippi School of Law Bessie YoungCouncil Diversity and Inclusion Fellow
  • South Asian Bar Association of Houston
  • Southern Methodist Women in Law Sponsorship
  • University of Tennessee College of Law Blackshear Sponsorship
  • Vanderbilt Black Law Students Association
  • Women Lawyers of Charlotte
  • Women’s Foundation of Mississippi
  • Bradley was named a 2024 “Tipping the Scales” firm by the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance for having 50% or more women in their 2024 U.S.-based new partner class.
  • Alé Dalton was named the recipient of Bradley’s 2024 Diversity Leadership Award.
  • Lina Machado Bejarano was the recipient of the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association’s (GHBA) 2024 Rising Star Award.
  • Bradley achieved Mansfield Rule Certification 2023-2024 status.
  • George D. Medlock, Jr., a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and Bradley’s director of inclusion and diversity, is the recipient of the 2023 Gail K. Johnson Award from the University of Alabama’s Black Law Students Association (BLSA).
  • Meade Hartfield was appointed chair of the DRI Women in the Law Committee for 2024-2025.
  • Michael Casey Williams was named the recipient of Bradley’s 2023 Diversity Leadership Award.
  • Rodrigo Martinez Cabello was selected as a Fellow of the 2023-2024 Houston Young Lawyers Association’s (HYLA) Leadership Academy.
  • Sarah Osborne was selected to participate in the 2023- 2024 Huntsville Momentum executive leadership program for women.
  • Tiffany deGruy was appointed as co-chair of the ABA Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference.
  • Momentum Women’s Leadership Executive Class Participants
    • Meade Hartfield, 2022-2023
    • Nancy Ball, 2021-2022
    • Jennifer Hoover Clark, 2020-2021
    • Tiffany deGruy, 2019-2020
    • Jennifer McGahey, 2018-2019
    • Julie Bernstein, 2017-2018
    • Linda Friedman, 2015-2016
    • Kim Martin, 2014-2015
    • Jamie Moore, 2013-2014
    • Anne Marie Seibel, 2012-2013
    • Tracy Thompson, 2010-2011
    • Laura Washburn, 2009-2010
    • Dawn Sharff, 2005-2006
    • Anne Yuengert, 2003-2004
    • Leigh Anne Hodge, 2003-2004
  • Momentum Women’s Leadership Upward Program Participants
    • Britney Crawford, 2023
    • Sydney Willmann, 2023
    • Carly Miller, 2021
    • Brooke Vinson, 2021
    • Hillary Campbell, 2020
    • Anna Craft, 2020
    • Ann Hill, 2019
    • Anne Knox Averitt, 2019
  • Anne Marie Seibel was named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top Birmingham Women” for 2023 and was selected as the 2023-2024 chair of the American Bar Association Litigation Section.
  • Whitney Jackson was selected to join the National Bar Association’s (NBA) Associate Advancement Academy for Excellence 2023-2024 Cohort.
  • Courtlyn Ward was selected to the National Black Lawyers’ (NBL) “Top 40 Under 40” in Texas list.
  • Alé Dalton was named to the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (HNBA) 2023 “Top Lawyers Under 40” list.
  • Stanley E. Blackmon was selected as a 2023 Fellow of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and received the inaugural 2023 Fellows Atlas Award.
  • Lauren Jacques, who serves as the firm’s Nashville office managing partner, was announced as one of the Nashville Business Journal’s “2023 Women of Influence” winners.
  • Dawn Helms Sharff served as board chair for the Women’s Foundation of Alabama for 2023.
  • Bradley’s firm leaders including board members, office managing partners, committee chairs, and practice group leaders participated in a diversity and inclusion training workshop designed to encourage conversations, challenge assumptions and expand thoughts about the subject of diversity.
  • Bradley provided inclusion and diversity training sessions for attorneys.
  • Bradley has developed an internal Diversity Resource Center that includes an extensive list of resources about racial injustice. These tools include movies, documentaries, articles, podcasts, books and more.
  • Discussion groups and panel presentations have focused on exploring issues related to racial injustice and inequality. The goal is to foster important dialogue among Bradley lawyers about systemic racism in America and how the firm can work to build a more inclusive environment internally and expand contributions to communities in the firm’s footprint.
  • In a partnership with The Mississippi Museum of Art’s Center for Art and Public Exchange, Bradley attorneys participated in an Art and Storytelling Workshop. Art can impact culture and society, and the artwork viewed during this insightful program provided a springboard for participants to share their stories about the issues of race, sexual orientation, and other differences that can serve to divide people.
  • Provided a video presentation, “Designing a More Just Future,” presented by Jerry Kang, professor of law at UCLA. The presentation was first shared at the annual meeting of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).

Bradley is committed to supporting a variety of pipeline diversity initiatives directed at recruiting diverse lawyers. In addition to recruiting events, sponsorships, and partnerships, Bradley awards two annual Summer Associate Scholarships to law students who are committed to broadening the diversity of voices in the legal profession and within our firm.

In addition, Bradley engages in significant efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce and culture at the firm. The firm’s efforts include hosting a summer intern program for college students and regularly organizing, hosting and participating in programs, seminars and panels aimed at increasing the participation of students who are committed to broadening the diversity of voices in the legal profession and within our firm.

Diversity-Focused Recruiting Events

The firm participated in the following diversity-focused recruiting events between January to December 2023:

  • Affinity Group Happy Hour at the University of Alabama
  • Charlotte Summer Clerkship Program with the Charlotte Legal Diversity Council Event at Bradley Charlotte Office
  • Lavender Law Career Fair
  • National Black Law Students Association OCI
  • Ole Miss Black Law Students Association Scholarship Banquet Sponsorship
  • SMU Law 1L Diversity Law Firm Fair
  • SMU Black Law Students Association Lunch and Learn on Professionalism
  • SMU Women in Law Luncheon Sponsorship
  • Southeastern Minority Job Fair (SEMJF)
  • Southwest Black Law Students Association Job Fair
  • Sunbelt Diversity Program
  • University of Alabama OUTLaw Affinity Group Lunch and Learn
  • University of Alabama Black Law Students Association Lunch and Learn
  • University of Alabama Black Law Students Association Scholarship Banquet Sponsor
  • University of Alabama Latinx Lunch and Learn
  • Vanderbilt Black Law Students Association Banquet Sponsorship
  • Washington University Law 1L Diversity Expo
  • 1Elevate Happy Hour and Lunch and Learn Presentation at Vanderbilt for the First Generation Law Student Affinity Group

Diversity-Focused Recruiting Initiatives

  • Participation in the Charlotte Legal Diversity Clerkship Program/Civil Liberties Defense Center
  • Member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Participated in the 1L Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Scholars Program
  • Hosted third annual Bessie Young Council Diversity and Inclusion Fellowship
  • Partnered with the Diverse Attorney Pipeline Program

Summer Internship Program

Bradley also provides paid four to six-week summer internships to college students in order to enhance the education of college students who are aspiring attorneys and who are committed to broadening the diversity of voices in the legal profession and within our firm. In addition to academic excellence, we look for students who are well-rounded, display enthusiasm and interest in gaining hands-on experience in the workplace, and demonstrate a desire to learn about the skills and qualities necessary to succeed in both law school and practice. To apply, please email your resume to lcastle@bradley.com.

For more information on Bradley’s Inclusion & Diversity initiatives, please download our Annual Report and Inclusion & Diversity Brochure found in the right-hand column of this page.

Related Insights & Events