Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, we strive to attract and retain attorneys who represent the multiplicity of cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and viewpoints represented in a global economy. We know that to make a difference, we must lead by example.

The DGS partnership consists entirely of equity partners, of whom 32 percent are women. Additionally, 57 percent of DGS associates are women, and half of the firm’s Executive Committee members are women, including one of our two managing partners. Moreover, DGS values cultural diversity, with many of our employees self-identifying as being ethnically diverse.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The DGS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee was formed in 1999 and built on the premise that differences bring great value to the practice of law. Its goal is to empower our attorneys to lead inclusivity related efforts that impact the firm and broader community. Comprised of the following partners and associates, the DGS DEI Committee reports to the Executive Committee and provides a forum for fostering an open dialogue on inclusivity issues.

• Tess Hand-Bender (co-chair)
• Kenzo Kawanabe (co-chair)
• Andrea Bronson
• Zach Detra
• John Elofson
• Aditi Kulkarni-Knight
• Elise Reecer
• Kate Sanford
• Katie Schroder

The DEI Committee also promotes discovering new ways to enhance the firm’s implementation of initiatives aimed at community involvement, recruitment, retention, and mentoring. It recently relaunched and reinvigorated the firm’s DGS Women’s Network, which meets throughout the year. A dynamic component of this initiative is the Women in Leadership Lecture Series (WILLS). The program features valuable perspectives on how to overcome personal and professional obstacles on the path to leadership. Past speakers include the vice president and deputy general counsel of Facebook and the market president of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Legal Based Community Involvement

• Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado
• Center for Legal Inclusiveness
• Colorado Bar Association, Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee
• Colorado Hispanic Bar Association
• Colorado Legal Services
• Colorado Pledge to Diversity
• Colorado Women’s Bar Association
• Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
• Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado
• Legal Inclusiveness & Diversity Summit
• Women's Foundation of Colorado
• Sam Cary Bar Association

Social Justice

DGS is committed to fostering a peaceful, inclusive, and equitable community and society grounded in the rule of law and access to justice. As a firm, we recognize that lawyers are uniquely positioned to promote a more just society for individuals of all backgrounds. In addition to standing in solidarity with Colorado’s diversity bar associations, we have implemented our own action-centric plan to combat systemic racism in our community. Many of our attorneys have also taken it upon themselves to assist those seeking asylum in the U.S., representing them in a pro bono capacity.