Our Vision and its Impact
Geoffrey M. White
One of the most satisfying aspects of my job is serving as a co-chair of our Diversity Scholarship Subcommittee. We have been able to help with the educational needs for a number of students that are a part of the Frost Brown Todd family.
Mekesha H. Montgomery
I am literally an example of “diversity in motion.” When family obligations made it necessary for me to transfer offices, the firm was behind me 100% -- twice!
Neil Desai
Not only is FBT extremely supportive of my efforts in the area of diversity, but the firm also actively searches for and identifies opportunities for its diverse attorneys to participate in.
Richard L. Moore
Prior to joining the firm, I was always impressed with the firm’s support of diversity efforts. Since joining the firm, I am even more impressed with the view from the inside.
Carla De La Barra Helstrom
Without maintaining a diverse group of attorneys, no firm can develop business in the ever- changing economic world. As a native Spanish-speaker, I am able to help the firm meet unique client needs.
LaQuita S. Wornor
“I have the opportunity to work with people who come from different cultural, social, racial, and economic backgrounds. Our experiences enhance our ability to provide service to our clients who also employ diverse workforces.”
Vision Statement
Frost Brown Todd is committed to making diversity and inclusion a permanent part of the culture of the firm. The firm will strive to create and maintain an inclusive environment in which every person has not only an equal opportunity to succeed, but is provided with appropriate support to help him or her realize that opportunity. We will promote the recruitment, community involvement and professional advancement of a diverse and inclusive team.
Our goal is simple. We will be recognized by everyone at Frost Brown Todd and by our peers and other meaningful organizations within the legal industry as having the most inclusive environment in our respective markets. The firm's success in these efforts will require the commitment of the firm’s leadership and management as well as every lawyer and administrator in the firm. Each of these individuals will be charged with, and held accountable for, helping the firm to achieve this goal.
Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion must be put into action each day. Our program is constantly evolving to build a more vibrant and creative law firm for our employees, our clients and communities. And, our actions are having an impact on our people. They have shared, in personal interviews, how the firm's commitment to inclusion has impacted them. Download our Diversity Report here.
Perhaps the strongest statement we’ve made about our commitment to diversity has been in creating a Director of Diversity and Inclusion position at the firm — making a single person responsible for driving our efforts and to ensure it is given the full attention and resources needed. Our Director of Diversity and Inclusion is a member of the firm with no billable hour requirement. Read more about our Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Kim Amrine.
As a law firm, diversity and inclusion help us to better serve our clients with premium legal counsel and thought leadership. And, that only happens when we provide them with the best legal talent and diverse viewpoints. We are pleased that our diverse lawyers span many departments, practice areas and specialties. Click here to view our list of diverse attorneys and their areas of expertise.
Our focus on inclusion extends beyond the firm. It includes partnering with our clients on unique programs to help them achieve their goals. It includes leading the way on numerous pipeline programs as well as investing in regional and national initiatives in our communities and beyond.
What People Are Saying
“Frost Brown Todd has a genuine commitment to diversity, and their hard work is making a difference internally and externally. Their support of the Business Diversity Network of Kentucky helps members attract and retain diverse talent and, in turn, deliver even stronger diversity and inclusion results. Additionally, FBT’s high profile women’s programs and their work in the Hispanic community make them leaders throughout our region and beyond.” Terrian Barnes —Yum! Global Diversity and Inclusion Officer
“Withrow High School in Cincinnati hasn’t had the funds to buy books for their library or the computers to properly prepare their students for college. Enter Frost Brown Todd as the new sponsor of the library! We will be installing and maintaining 60 PCs for the students to use in the library. The school will provide a moderator to oversee the PCs when they are in use and FBT technicians will visit periodically to make repairs. Withrow is an inspiring place and we look forward to doing what we can to bring technology to their students.” Paul Bromwell – Chief Information Officer, Frost Brown Todd
“As a minority small business owner with limited resources, my company has been given the opportunity to not only benefit from Frost Brown Todd’s pro bono services but to do business with the firm. We have always been treated with great respect and acknowledged as a business no different than any other. The opportunities that have been provided to us through FBT have not only helped our company but will allow Edible Dreams LLC to provide jobs for those in the community in the food service industry.” Matina Thomas — Owner, Edible Dreams Catering LLC on FBT’s pro bono services
“Frost Brown Todd has had a significant impact on my development since the beginning of my college career. During my internships, their attorneys took the time to shape who I am today and find my true passion for law. I am very happy they were able to contribute to the attorney I will one day become.” Eric Cordera Cook — Law Student, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington
Program Accomplishments
- Presenting and educating attorneys regarding diversity and inclusion through formal training, firm meetings and retreats
- Facilitating mentoring and advocacy to ensure that minorities and women attorneys not only work on substantive matters for important clients but also receive responsibility and origination credit where appropriate
- Feeding the legal pipeline by supporting the Summer Work Experience in Law, Inc. (SWEL), the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP) and Louisville Bar Association’s summer internship programs that place minority high school and college students in our Cincinnati and Louisville offices during the summer
- Recruiting at additional schools and at numerous regional and local minority-recruiting events across the country
- Founding member of the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program and continued investment in the organization by serving on its Steering Committee
- Law firm members of the National Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, where our managing member of the firm is actively engaged in making a difference in our industry
- Creating the Frost Brown Todd Diversity Scholarship Fund, empowering our employees to make a difference in our communities, one person at a time
- Recognizing annually two FBT attorneys that exemplify our goals at championing diverse lawyers and making a difference in our communities with our FBT Diversity and Inclusion Award
