2023 DEI Annual Report

Further

Andy and I co–chair Barnes & Thornburg’s firmwide DEI Committee and as such (and beyond), work together on a consistent and deliberate basis to ensure that our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion continues to be activated. And since this commitment is a top down one, at the top of 2023 Andy challenged me — indeed, all of us, to go further. By definition, “further” means “to a greater extent.” To be honest, I did not know then what further looked like — not because we had “arrived.” All who authentically do this work understand that such is not a real place. No, it’s because real lasting change in this space is hard won...

Barnes & Thornburg Talent Resource Groups (TRGs) have a clear strategic objective – foster community and belonging for our teammates. In 2023 (by design and to realize a key organizational objective set forth by the Firm Managing Partner in his LCLD Leaders At The Front pledge) we saw our TRGs grow by 30% to 10 groups firmwide. Here’s a glimpse of some of their leadership in 2023.

Belonging begets Retention

2023

a Diversity & Equity inclusion annual report

Mark S. Kittaka Partner Fort Wayne

David A.W. Wong Partner Indianapolis

Andrew J. Detherage FIRM MANAGING PARTNER Co-Chair, DEI Committee

Dawn R. Rosemond FIRM DIVERSITY PARTNER Co-Chair, DEI Committee

Co-chairs

BTapa

BTBlack

I really enjoyed spending focused time with our APA attorneys for networking and personal relationship building.

It’s such a great opportunity to mingle and talk with other younger/new attorneys.

Co-chairs

Michael A. Battle Partner Washington, D.C.

Sarah Odion Esene Associate Minneapolis

Our firm’s Talent Resource Group for our Asian Pacific American teammates and allies

Our firm’s Talent Resource Group for our Black and African American teammates and allies

Trevor A. Mason Associate Grand Rapids

Gracie Webb Office Administrator & Firm Travel Manager, Dallas

BTAPA Hosts Firmwide Summit and Celebrates NAPABA National Convention

1st

Our firm’s Talent Resource Group for our parent teammates and allies

BTParents

BTAPA Hosts Firmwide Summit and Celebrates NAPABA National Convention

Co-chairs

Alison Casey Partner Boston

Carol Edelson Of Counsel Chicago

Raechelle Mills HR Generalist Indianapolis

Sean M. Phipps Partner Boston

BTPride

Our Talent Resource Group for our LGBTQ+ teammates and allies

Co-chairs

Brian Jarman Partner Indianapolis

Heather Mink Paralegal Indianapolis

BTLatinx

Our Talent Resource Group for our Hispanic and Latinx teammates and allies

Co-chairs

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Ladene I. Mendoza Partner Indianapolis

Katrina M. Thompson Partner Columbus

1st

BTLatinx Hosts FIRMWIDE Summit

The summit provided value to Latinx attorneys by expanding their practice areas, increasing cross-selling opportunities, establishing a greater presence in the industry, further integrating into the firm while influencing its culture and setting up mentoring opportunities. - Frances Rivera-Medero

I absolutely loved connecting with other BTLatinx talent from around the firm. I think we were all craving that connection and sense of community and quickly found comfort in a group of folks we largely didn’t know before coming to the event. - Anonymous

BTWomen

Our Talent Resource Group for our female teammates and allies

Co-chairs

Heather F. Delgado Partner Chicago

Denise A. Lazar Partner Chicago

Kristen L. Richer Partner Los Angeles

Curated and Launched 3-Part Series – Building Relationships and Making Your Ask A Give with Debbie Epstein Henry

BTMena

Our Talent Resource Group for our Middle East and North African teammates and allies

Co-chairs

Miåchael C. Zogby Partner New Jersey

Alice Kyureghian Partner Los Angeles

3 new talent resource groups launched

BTInterFaith

BTSalaam

BTShalom

CO-Chairs:

Chair:

CO-Chairs:

M. Shams Billah Partner New York

Bruce H. Ratain Of Counsel Chicago

M. Shams Billah Partner New York

Kenneth M. Gorenberg Partner Chicago

Ilana Zelener Associate Dallas

Further ON display

Earned MCCA-Approved 2023 Silver Seal and For the First Time, Named a Finalist for the MCCA 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award

2023 Finalist

Growth to Talent Resource Groups

TRG Summits held in 2023

our unwavering commitment

Mansfield Rule Certified 2X and Mansfield 7.0 Participant

LCLD leaders at the front Pledge

Recognition as an LCLD Top Performer and Compass Award Recipient

Firm Selected for the Lawyers of Color® Industry Leader Diversity Award

Lawyers of Color® Names Attorneys, Business Professionals to 2023 Wonderful Women List, Hot List and Diversity Issue

Martín Montes Partner Chicago

Roscoe C. Howard, Jr. Office Managing Partner Washington, D.C.

Michael A. Carrillo Office Managing Partner Chicago

Inaugural Indiana Lawyer Diversity In Law Class

Alan K. Mills Retired of Cousel Indianapolis

Reginald D. Cloyd, III Associate Indianapolis

Melanie Mawema Director of Administration West Region Los Angeles

Atlanta Office Hosts Atlanta Women’s Summit

2nd

Wonderful Summit! The topics were mindful and insightful and the atmosphere was beautiful. I loved that the kick–off session was inclusive of all our BTAtlanta talent and guests. It provided a wonderful networking opportunity. Well done!!

Minneapolis Office Hosts

Women in Leadership: Exploring Pathways

12th ANNUAL

Sonja Renee Taylor, Keynote Speaker

Emily Hunt Turner, Nancy A. Sullivan Community Leadership Award Winner

Growing iNvestment in DEI

GrowIng dei team

Brittney Lee DEI Director Atlanta

Adler Allwaters Data Analyst – DEI New Jersey

Making Good on our

committment to drive change

Growing iNvestment in DEI TEAM

Outside our walls

camille Conway diversity award

The award, named after Barnes & Thornburg’s late Chicago partner Camille Conway, recognizes those in the firm who best demonstrate a commitment to diversity by cultivating and promoting initiatives

that establish, foster and maintain a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Unique this year was the opportunity to have Camille’s daughter, Corrine, present the award. Corrine was a summer associate with us and came back to begin her career full time in the Chicago office. As such we thought it fitting that in her first year with the firm she have the privilege to tell us about her dad and his passion for diversity, equity and inclusion. Here’s what she offered.

“The Camille Conway Diversity award is named after my dad for a reason. As brilliant and eloquent and delightful as my father was, he faced racism and discrimination… No matter how phenomenal my

dad was at his job, sometimes all people saw was a Black man. Which for them was something to be afraid of.closed him off from a world that was (and still is) very cruel to some of us because of the color of our skin. But my dad didn’t chose bitterness. He

He chose to speak about things that are uncomfortable and awkward… My dad’s efforts helped open the door for things like this award that I have the honor to present tonight. Those of you who have been in my office may have seen the note my dad wrote to himself shortly after he became a lawyer. The note reads in part ‘Become dynamite. Have everyone talking about how fantastic a lawyer you are.’ Not only are people still talking about the kind of lawyer my father was. They still talking about the kind of person my father was. And while I wish more than anything

he was here to present this award to Ariyike himself, I am honored and beyond privileged to be here tonight and to assist in keeping his legacy alive with the help of the very deserving winner, Ariyike Diggs.”

Corrine Conway Associate Chicago

chose to welcome the new attorneys of color who felt like fish out of water with open arms.

Ariyike Diggs Partner Atlanta

2023 Camille Conway Diversity Award Recipient

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BTInterFaith, the firm’s Talent Resource Group for our teammates of all faiths and allies

BTSalaam, the firm’s Talent Resource Group for our Muslim teammates and allies

BTShalom, the firm’s Talent Resource Group for our Jewish teammates and allies

Camille B. Conway

Barnes & thornburg Racial & social justice foundation

$312,633

Pledged to the foundation in 2023

$75,000

100% of seed funding from Management Committee

$1.1mil

$1.1 million raised since its inception in 2020

2023 Grant recipients

Salt Lake City

Nashville, TN

Ann Arbor, MI

Philadelphia, PA

Miami, FL

Board Members

Connie A. Lahn President

Allen R. Baum Vice President

Michael A. Carrillo Secretary

Andrew J. Detherage Ex officio member

Roscoe C. Howard, Jr. Board member

Steven Merkel Ex officio member (Treasurer)

Dawn R. Rosemond Ex officio member

By The numbers

ALL Attorneys

Associates

Partners

Management Committee

C–Suite

Department Chairs

2023 Summer Class

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Associates

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Partners

2024 New Partner Promotions

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Partners

2023 dei Committee

STANDING/EX OFFICIO POSITIONS

TALENT RESOURCE GROUP LEADS

Click ( ) To Meet

Experience again

We Appreciate You! For More Information Regarding Our DEI Commitment, visit www.btlaw.com and/or contact our Firm Diversity Partner.

Letter from Firm Diversity Partner

Belonging Begets Retention

Futher On Display

Growing Investment In DEI Results In Growing DEI Team

Making Good On Our Committment To Drive Change Outside Our Walls

Camille Conway Diversity Award

Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation

2023 Pre-Law Scholars

Honoring a Trailblazer

By The Numbers

2023 DEI Committee

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2023 Pre-Law Scholars

Ad’mirel Durden, Washington University St. Louis

I am beyond excited and honored to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because this program provides immense support throughout the law school admissions process and throughout law school itself. When undergoing a process as daunting as law school, it is crucial to have a strong support system, and this provides me with a strong community that will provide me with guidance, which is invaluable as I navigate this process as a first–generation college student and future law student.

Being accepted as a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar was like discovering a treasure map that leads not only to knowledge but to an attorney mentor who is the compass guiding me through the uncharted waters of law school applications. As a first–generation student, having someone by my side who has successfully navigated this journey is like having a personal champion in my corner. The scholarship is a ray of sunshine. The relief this support brings is a game–changer, turning a once–daunting obstacle into a stepping stone toward my dream of attending law school. As I set sail on this incredible journey, I can already picture myself on the other side – a bundle of acceptances in hand, all thanks to the incredible opportunities the Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholars Program provided. With the commencement of the 2023–2024 application cycle, I am filled with gratitude, determination, and a heart full of excitement!

Elizabeth (Liz) Kufour, University of Texas Austin

Katherine Marin, University of Florida Gainsville

I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because it will help me pursue my goals of working in public service and giving back to communities in need.

Cassidy Medina, University of Chicago

I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar to foster lifelong friendships and mentorships.

Karla Mora, Tecnológico de Monterrey

As a first–generation Latina student, it is motivating to know you have amazing attorneys that will support you as you navigate the law school admission process, which can be confusing when you are new to the system. As part of the Barnes & Thornburg team, I am reassured by the firm’s commitment to support diversity and its impulse to help young professionals from different backgrounds pursue a legal career.

Karla currently works as an immigration specialist at Barnes & Thornburg.

Micah Morton–James, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because I will have expert guidance as I transition into a career in the legal field as a prospective law student. Additionally, I am excited to be a part of an expanding cohort that will change the makeup of the legal community with the assistance of a trusted firm.

Kyra Patterson, Howard University Washington, D.C.

I am excited to be a Barnes & Thornburg Prelaw Scholar because I believe this program will provide me with essential tools to successfully navigate the law school admission process and perform well on the LSAT.

Honoring a trailblazer

Alan Mills Leaves Legacy Where Legal Career Began

Alan K. Mills Retired of Cousel Indianapolis

At the end of 2023, our partner and friend, Alan K. Mills, will be retired from the practice of law, marking a storied 41–year career at Barnes & Thornburg. What makes this cause for celebration beyond the usual is that Alan in many respects is the trailblazer of our firm’s modern–day commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Plainly, because he did, so many other lawyers of color (and beyond) have been able to do the same. So we would be remiss if we did not pause to celebrate Alan’s longvstanding legacy of change and the indelible imprint he has made on Barnes & Thornburg, clients, mentees, our illustrious profession, and the community he has so fully served his entire career.

Experience Alan's Journey

This painting is displayed in the second floor conference space of the firm’s Indianapolis office to memorialize Alan’s legacy.

1st Black Barnes & Thornburg Atty Conquered ‘Difficult World’

Alan Mills Leaves Legacy At A Firm Where Legal Career Began

IBJ’s The Freedom Forum: Alan Mills, Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

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Click ( ) To See Grant Recipients

BTParents

Our the firm’s Talent Resource Group for our parent teammates and allies

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Creating Opportunities: Mills To Retire From Barnes After Trailblazing Career

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By The numbers

ALL Attorneys

Associates

Partners

Management Committee

C–Suite

Department Chairs

2023 Summer Class

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Associates

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Partners

2024 New Partner Promotions

2023 LATERAL HIRES/Partners

TALENT RESOURCE GROUP LEADS

Co-Chairs

So the idea of going further from what we had already worked so hard to achieve was, in all candor, daunting. But because we decided long ago to be truly committed to change — that diversity, equity and inclusion were each business imperatives–further was also the only option. So further became our objective at the beginning of the year and notwithstanding the growing challenges facing diversity, equity and inclusion work across the country, further is what we achieved. A caveat is warranted here. What “further” looks like is relative and should be bespoke. For us (as I have stated many times), a win, if you will, is not grounded in things like what best law firms list we make (or don’t). Instead, we are powered by things like belonging, inclusive engagement, consistency, deliberate mindfulness of all talent, authenticity — all things that at the end of the day beget retention and advancement which for us (as I have also stated many times), is our marker of true growth. So in this annual report, we have made our best effort to showcase a little of what further looked like for us in 2023. We hope something inspires you to push your commitment to a greater extent as well. We appreciate you! Enjoy!

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