DEI Strategies & Solutions

Recent News:

Navigating DEI and Employment Law: What Every Employer Needs to Know

Aaron Holt was a guest on the National Association of Residential Property Managers podcast titled “Navigating DEI and Employment Law: What Every Employer Needs to Know.”

More

In today's dynamic global environment, integrating the essential principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), while navigating the complex legal landscape, is imperative. We have assembled a multidisciplinary team of professionals who are committed to helping businesses, educational institutions, law firms, companies, and other organizations thrive in this new paradigm, where results matter and there are no ‘A’s for effort. We're here to help you create a workplace that is not only compliant but also embodies fairness, equity, and inclusivity at its core.

Our team includes lawyers at the forefront of DEI legal developments, consultants with decades of experience in DEI and organizational culture and strategy, and public affairs professionals with deep experience in reputational management and crisis communications. We work seamlessly together, and in the spirit of true partnership with our clients, to address the full panoply of DEI-related issues. Whether your organization is developing its first DEI program, needs an objective evaluation of an existing program, wants to improve its DEI messaging, faces a DEI-related legal matter, or anything in between, we are here to help.

The demands of DEI are real and catch many organizations by surprise. We understand these demands and stand ready to help our clients meet them.

  • Continuous Evolution: DEI requires active listening, perpetual learning, and never-ending enhancement.
  • Intersectional Approach: Acknowledging that facets of race, gender, sexuality, and other identities are intertwined, affecting individuals uniquely.
  • Transparency & Accountability: Commit to open dialogues about DEI efforts, encouraging an inclusive culture.
  • Legal and Regulatory Acumen: Keeping abreast of DEI's evolving legal and regulatory framework is crucial. Our experienced legal team offers insightful counsel to ensure your organization is in full compliance with all relevant federal, state, and local mandates, thereby fortifying your DEI initiatives.

WHAT WE DO

Our DEI Strategies & Solutions Group offers a suite of services — including legal services, consultancy services, training and development services, and others — to address the complete spectrum of DEI issues.

Legal Services

  • Legal Advice and Counsel: Our attorneys are at the forefront of DEI legal developments, ready to support and defend our clients in all DEI matters.
  • Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Development, Audits, & Training: Creating specific AAPs meeting all standards and instructing HR teams on implementation.

Consultancy Services

  • DEI Program Design & Implementation: Evaluating DEI policies, recommending best practices, and devising comprehensive programs.
  • Customized DEI Assessment/Audits: Analyzing current practices, pinpointing areas for enhancement, and business alignment.
  • Organizational Culture Assessments: Thorough and unbiased evaluation of current culture, suggesting actionable enhancements.

Training & Development

  • Customized DEI Training & Development: Focused programs tailored to specific organizational needs, emphasizing practical DEI principles.
  • Tailored DEI Strategy Development: Designing strategies aligned with culture, business objectives, and regulations.

Additional Services

  • Crisis Management and Communications: DEI-specific public relations and complaint handling.
  • Community Engagement: Forging deep connections with diverse communities, emphasizing DEI accountability.
  • DEI Organizational Development: Leading through coaching, strategic communication, and employee engagement metrics.
  • Employee Relations/Ombuds Services: Offering mediation, investigative, and conflict resolution services.

 

For more information - DEIStrategiesSolutionsGroup@cozen.com

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Experience

Publications

A year since 'Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard': State attorneys general are split on DEI programs

August 23, 2024

In this article for Reuters/WestLaw Ketan Bhirud and Simeon Brier review where state AGs stand on DEI and analyze potential legal risks for businesses.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a Public Utility Perspective [Alert]

June 17, 2024

William Lesser discusses the evolving regulatory environment and challenges faced by public utility companies and their DEI efforts.

Events & Seminars

Upcoming Events

Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture

December 05, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA

Simeon Brier, Leslie Gomez, and Miguel Pozo will present “Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture” with Felicia Washington, Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania, at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Diversity Summit.

Past Events

In The News

Navigating DEI and Employment Law: What Every Employer Needs to Know

October 23, 2024

Aaron Holt was a guest on the National Association of Residential Property Managers podcast titled “Navigating DEI and Employment Law: What Every Employer Needs to Know.”

Lynnette Espy-Williams Named to 2024 Most Influential Black Lawyers in Corporate America List by Savoy Magazine

August 23, 2024

Lynnette Espy-Williams, Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer and member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department, has been named one of the 2024 Most Influential Black Lawyers in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine.

Ask A Mentor: How Do I Balance Social Activism With My Job?

January 31, 2024

Diedrick Graham, Debra Friedman, and Simeon Brier spoke with Law360 on ethical, professional, and personal boundaries for attorneys pursuing social justice causes outside work.

Cozen O'Connor Launches DEI Practice, Names Group Leader

January 10, 2024

Cozen O'Connor, in collaboration with Healy+ and Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies, has announced the launch of their DEI Strategies & Solutions Practice.

Simeon Brier Recognized as a 2023 Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders Magazine

November 14, 2023

Simeon Brier, chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, has been recognized as a 2023 Top Latino Lawyer by Latino Leaders Magazine.

Contacts

Simeon D. Brier

Chair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
Chair, DEI Strategies & Solutions

sbrier@cozen.com

(305) 704-5942

Diedrick Graham

Vice President, Culture & Strategy, The Healy+ Group

dgraham@healyplus.com

(802) 861-1406

Kyle Anderson

Senior Principal, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

kdanderson@cozen.com

(215) 665-4723

Lynnette D. Espy-Williams

Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
Member

lespy-williams@cozen.com

(202) 912-4845

People

Related Pages

Upcoming Event:

Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture

Philadelphia, PA 12/05/2024

Simeon Brier, Leslie Gomez, and Miguel Pozo will present “Leadership's Role in Supporting Belonging Culture” with Felicia Washington, Vice President of Human Resources at the University of Pennsylvania, at the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel Diversity Summit.

Event Details

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