Standing Together Against Racial Bias
Statement of the Management Committee and Diversity Committee of Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC
As we focus on reopening the Firm’s offices across New York State, we cannot ignore the tragic incidents of racial bias and toxic racism that our nation is facing. If we are to authentically work together, we must recognize the wrenching pain and outrage caused by the heinous killing of George Floyd. We grieve with his family and loved ones and the families and loved ones of other black and brown people who have been victims of deadly force and individual racial violence—Amadou Diallo, Sean Bell, Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Walter Scott, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery … and countless others. We remember their names. We will speak their names. The anti-racism protests occurring throughout the United States are an outcry against the hundreds of years of the systemic, dehumanizing racism that permeates the very foundation of this country.
The Management Committee, with the support of the leadership of Bond’s Diversity Committee, is committed to the promotion of anti-racism and intentional diversity throughout our communities, the legal profession, and our firm. With these events in the past months, however, we are reminded that we do not all experience these events the same way. We must acknowledge the incredible weight of bias placed on our black and brown colleagues and neighbors and the fear they carry that harm will come to their children, families and loved ones simply because of the color of their skin. We all must listen and understand. We must focus our efforts. We must work to create urgently needed change to those structures and institutions of our society which reinforce and embolden racist behaviors. We all play a part in eradicating the scourge of racism in order to preserve this grand experiment that is our country.
The Management Committee
Monica C. Barrett, Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Sanjeeve K. DeSoyza, Co-Chair, Diversity Committee
Kimberly Wolf Price, Attorney Professional Development and Diversity Officer
Actions Taken:
June 2020: The Management Committee joined the Diversity Committee in making a donation to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) on behalf of the firm. TMCF, which was established in 1987, is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF also provides scholarships to law students attending law schools at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). For more information, visit www.tmcf.org.
June 2020: The firm came together for a Continuing Legal Education program titled “Bond Attorneys: Client Counseling & Racial Justice.” This presentation provided critical historical context and best practices on keeping racial bias issues in mind as we counsel clients.
August 2020: The firm became the name sponsor of the Bond Schoeneck & King Race and Justice in CNY Series with OCBA and Syracuse Law (will carry through June 2021).
September 2020: Bond hosted a CLE webinar titled “Racial Justice in Action: Important Steps that Bond Clients are Taking to Promote Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.”
October 2020: Bond approved Juneteenth to become an official firm holiday in 2021.
November 2020: The firm's Management Committee undertook the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.
