African American

The African American Affinity Group (the “Affinity Group”) is a forum for African American attorneys at Sonnenschein.  The Affinity Group’s primary goal is to advance the firm’s diversity initiative as it applies to attorneys of color.  In keeping with the firm’s goal to recruit, retain, and promote African American attorneys, the Affinity Group helps create an environment that is comfortable for and conducive to the advancement of all personnel. 

With respect to recruiting, the firm reaches out directly to law student organizations, as well as professional and civic organizations, to recruit both law student and lateral candidates.  Upon joining the firm, the Affinity Group seeks to establish a network among the firm’s African American attorneys to:

• Identify African American attorneys within the firm;
• Facilitate mentoring of African American attorneys;
• Facilitate and develop workflow and cross-marketing opportunities between African American attorneys in the firm between all practice groups and all offices
• Communicate issues of importance to African American attorneys at Sonnenschein and generally;  and
• Facilitate business and professional development for our members.

The Affinity Group hosts conference calls every other month to discuss a variety of topics, including  firm policies and events and business and professional development opportunities.  Participants are also encouraged to participate in an “open forum” during the call, or, if they prefer, contact the Affinity Group’s facilitators regarding issues that they would like discussed. 

The African American Affinity Group is committed to creating an environment at Sonnenschein that is accepting and engaging for all attorneys of color.  For more information, please contact either Kevin Chavous in the Washington, D.C. office at kchavous@sonnenschein.com or Karen Jordan in the St. Louis office at kjordan@sonnenschein.com.