From its inception, our firm embraced diversity. Alison Miller joined us in 1976 and became a name partner in 1985—at a time when few women lawyers were practicing in Florida, and even fewer held leadership roles in law firms. For decades, our firm has successfully fostered leadership paths for women, which helped cultivate an environment where talented individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds can thrive. We recognize that diversity is multi-faceted, and as a result, our efforts must be wide-ranging, specific, and intentional.
Our firm culture is one aspect of our commitment to diversity. We maintain an inclusive, collaborative, and collegial work environment across all of our offices and practice areas. Our team members are each unique, but we share a number of important qualities such as character, empathy, dedication, a sense of humor, and respect for one another. Our goal has always been to serve our clients, give back to our communities, and be present with our families. Despite our growth over the years, more than 50% of our team has been with the firm for 10 years or more.
We are incredibly proud of the firm culture that we have built, but we know there is more work to do. The leadership of the firm has pledged its support for racial justice and increased diversity in the legal profession. We have asked our employees to join us in this important effort as we strive to achieve equity in our communities.
In September 2020, the firm launched the Equity and Justice Project, an initiative designed to educate, reflect, and engage within our firm and our broader communities about racial equity and social justice.
Key components of the program include:
- Educational emails and resources on equity and social justice issues with a goal of broadening our understanding of these topics and how they impact our communities
- Moderated, open forum discussions and guest speakers on specific topics for further discussion
- Book, Podcast and Movie Club discussions addressing equity and justice
- Service and philanthropic opportunities to engage with, support, and highlight organizations doing important work to achieve equity and justice initiatives in our communities
Additionally, our diversity committee developed a strategic plan focused on four critical areas: professional development, recruitment and retention, education, and community.
- We were honored to be selected by the Tallahassee Women Lawyers for the 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Award. The award recognizes those who display a leadership role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace and/or community. Read more here.
- Other individual recognitions include:
- Jenea Reed, Finalist, Lawyer of the Year, Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America, 2022
- Kelly O'Keefe, Martha Barnett Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, Tallahassee Bar Association, 2022
- Alison Miller, South Florida Business Journal, Influential Business Woman Honoree, 2021
- Grace Mead, South Florida Business Journal, Business of Pride Outstanding Voices Honoree, 2020
- Tallahassee Democrat’s 25 Women You Need to Know
- Melanie Leitman, 2020
- Kelly O'Keefe, 2019
- Grace Mead, Benchmark Litigation, Top 250 Women in Litigation, 2018
Events:
Redefining Your Relationship: A Primer on Prenuptial, Postnuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
All Before Dinner |June 2022|Lindsay A. Gunia
Firm Announcements:
Patricia A. Redmond Elected Chair of American College of Bankruptcy Board of Regents
April 2022
Firm Announcements:
Kelly O'Keefe Receives Tallahassee Bar Association’s 2022 Martha Barnett Women Lawyers of Achievement Award
April 2022
Firm Announcements:
Elise Batsel Elected As President-Elect of CREW Tampa Bay
November 2021
Events, Firm Announcements, In the Media, Labor & Employment News Update, Publications:
Breaking Through the Noise: Labor & Employment Issues Post-Pandemic
Stearns Weaver Miller News Program Special |June 2021|Lisa K. Berg, Paul Crucet, Sharon Quinn Dixon, Eric K. Gabrielle, Melanie R. Leitman, Andrew W. McLaughlin, Ingrid H. Ponce, Thomas C. Raine, Glenn M. Rissman, Andrew L. Rodman, Eric S. Roth, Rene F. Ruiz, Robert S. Turk, Stephanie Turk, Eugene E. Stearns, Jenea M. Reed
Publications:
A Look Back at South Florida’s First Female United States Attorney
Women's White Collar Defense Association|April 2021|Maria Arhancet Fehretdinov
In the Media:
Meet the 2021 Influential Business Women
South Florida Business Journal|April 2021
In the Media:
Inside the List: Stearns Weaver Miller Shareholder Grace Mead on what's next for LGBTQ workers' fight for equality
South Florida Business Journal|March 2021