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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

“McLane Middleton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee focuses on increasing diversity and inclusion at all levels, monitoring firm progress and recommending actions to be taken to meet the goal of developing and maintaining an equitable and diverse workplace.”
– Shiva Karimi, Chair of McLane Middleton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

McLane Middleton continues to seek out, attract and retain qualified women and individuals of color, and very much value the ethnic, religious, sexual, age, physical challenge and economic diversity that exists among our attorneys and professional colleagues.  McLane Middleton’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee focuses on increasing diversity and inclusion at all levels, monitoring firm progress and recommending actions to be taken to meet the goal of developing and maintaining an equitable and diverse workplace.

Promotion of a more diverse employee population continues to be at the forefront of the firm’s strategic plan.  This effort begins at the top with the firm’s Management Committee and Executive Director, and extends to the Hiring Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

New Hampshire’s geographic location in northern New England can make meeting some diversity goals challenging, but fuels our motivation to continue our efforts.

The firm also has a long history of giving back to the communities in which we live and work.  This includes sponsoring events with organizations that serve diverse populations in order to benefit the community and raise our profile with potential applicants for employment.  These organizations include: The Latino Summit; ABA’s Commission on Hispanic Rights & Responsibilities; Girls Inc.; NH Women’s Leadership Conference; NH Women’s Foundation; Vote Hispana; and The Armenian Milk Fund.

In 2024, McLane Middleton was chosen as a finalist by the Diversity Workforce Coalition for their annual DEI Award. At the Coalition’s annual Workforce DEI Conference in Manchester, NH on March 7th the firm was honored as a Diversity Champion.

Mansfield Rule Certification

McLane Middleton is proud to be certified in the Mansfield Rule, a national initiative through Diversity Lab to help close the gender and diversity gap in the legal profession.  This certification program is designed to help us expand and manage our talent pipeline to ensure our firm reflects the diversity of our clients, our clients’ customers, and the communities where we live and work.

To learn more about the Mansfield Rule, click here.

NH Diversity Internship Program

The firm is a proud participant of the NH Diversity Internship Program, an initiative for first year law students with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to access paid Summer Associate positions within New Hampshire-based law firms.

This program is offered in collaboration with the New Hampshire Bar Association, the New Hampshire Judicial Branch, and the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.

To learn more about the program, click here.

What’s Her Story

One of the firm’s ongoing initiatives is a “What’s Her Story?” Women in Business series of events where successful women business leaders in New Hampshire and Massachusetts share tips on what has made them successful.  As part of the “story” theme, McLane Middleton donates one book for every attendee to a non-profit organization selected by the speaker.  Past speakers include:

  • Joan Brodsky, Founder of the NH Dance Collaborative (10/17/23) – Watch Here
  • Maria Proulx, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire (5/31/23) – Watch Here
  • Carla McCall, AAFCPAs (3/21/2023)
  • Hon. Carol Ann Conboy, NH Supreme Court (5/16/2018)
  • Betsy Gardella, NH Public Radio (3/22/2018)
  • Kathleen McQuiggan, Artemis Financial Advisors (11/15/2017)
  • Maria Ryan, Cottage Hospital (5/11/2017)
  • Joe Keefe, Pax World Management (10/4/2016)
  • Emeran Langmaid, A&E Custom Coffee Roastery (5/3/2016)
  • Amanda Grappone Osmer, Grappone Automotive (3/2/2016)
  • Keri Laman, Tidewater Catering (12/2/2015)
  • Maureen Beauregard, Families in Transition (3/4/2015)
  • Renee Plummer, Two International Group (9/17/2014)
  • Sharron McCarthy, McLean Communications (4/3/2014)
  • Lisa Guertin, Anthem (6/5/2013)
  • Amy LaBelle, LaBelle Winery (2/21/2013)
  • Tiffany Eddy, FocusFirst Communications (10/18/2012)

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the What’s Her Story series moved to podcast-form in 2020.  You can find the “McLane Middleton Minutes” podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.  Past speakers include: