Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Delivering value through our values.
Our firm is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) through meaningful action, both within our firm and the broader community. Celebrating our differences, championing equitable opportunities, and fostering an inclusive environment are essential to driving innovation, delivering exceptional client value, and achieving our fullest potential as a firm.
We know that our success and ability to perform at the highest level are inextricably linked to the strength of our culture and organizational values. And the four pillars of DEIB are foundational to that culture, shaping how we communicate, collaborate, and deliver on our promise to provide the most responsive and impactful client service.
Four Pillars of DEIB
Keeping DEIB embedded across all aspects of our firm culture requires sustained effort and continuous learning. DEIB at FBT represents a comprehensive organizational commitment to create a workplace defined by the core tenets below.
-
Diversity
Diversity reflects our dedication to building teams with varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and identities, which enables our firm to be innovative, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of our clients.
-
Equity
Equity ensures fair access to opportunities, resources, and advancement for all employees by identifying and eliminating barriers while creating transparent systems for career development and compensation.
-
Inclusion
Inclusion actively involves all team members, values their unique contributions, and ensures their voices are heard and respected in shaping our firm’s culture, community outreach, and strategic business priorities.
-
Belonging
Belonging fosters an environment where every employee feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to be their best selves, leading to higher engagement, innovation, retention, and client service excellence.
DEIB in Action@FBT
Inclusion Programming & Workshops
Creating an inclusive environment benefits us and our clients, who receive better service from the multitude of talent that can only be achieved with people of different backgrounds, distinct perspectives and varied experience. We provide regular programming on unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, cultural competencies, and other critical topics to ensure that Frost Brown Todd continues to be a place where people can both express and be themselves.
Our firm also hosts workshops throughout the year that are led by nationally recognized speakers and cover vital topics such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender and racial equity, interfaith dialogue, wellbeing, and neurodiversity. These micro-learning opportunities empower our team members, and occasionally our clients, with the knowledge, skills, cultural competency, and empathy necessary to navigate diverse spaces and create a truly inclusive work environment.
In addition to workshops and other programming, we conduct employee surveys to ensure we remain vigilant and continue to make progress toward a more inclusive workplace for everyone in our firm community.
Strategic Committees
We promote the development, adoption and reinforcement of our DEIB values and strategic priorities through the following committees:
- DEIB Committee – Leads the firm’s efforts to embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into all aspects of firm life, driving strategic initiatives and accountability.
- Women’s Initiative Committee – Champions the advancement of women attorneys and professionals by promoting gender equity, leadership development, and sponsorship opportunities.
- UNITE Committee – A cross-functional FBT committee working to build a more inclusive workplace by increasing a sense of belonging and community for business professionals.
Affinity Groups
Our employee-led affinity groups foster inclusion, build community among team members with shared characteristics, and help to drive DEIB forward across the firm. Open to all attorneys and business professionals, these groups offer space for dialogue and connection, promoting advocacy and the adoption of inclusive policies and practices that enrich our culture and enhance our client service.
*Click below for more information about each of our employee-led affinity groups.
The Black Affinity Group empowers its members by intentionally fostering community, mentorship, and development, representing the interests of its members, and helping to recruit and retain talent that is vital to the firm’s success and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
The Hispanic and Latino Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA) Affinity Group focuses foremost on mentorship, development, and advancement for its members by building community, both within and beyond the firm, and connecting its group members with professional organizations that serve and impact the Hispanic and Latino community.
The Women of Color (WOC) Affinity Group provides opportunities for community and relationship building across offices and job functions, with an emphasis on shared experiences and creating a robust support network that contributes to its members’ professional and personal growth.
We participate in job fairs and legal recruiting events throughout the year to be able to solicit a wide range of candidates beyond our local law schools. We also consider inclusivity and equity of opportunity from the start by using structured panel interviewing to guard against unconscious bias, while ensuring that we’re considering the full spectrum of qualified candidates in the hiring process.
In addition, we support several scholarship and mentorship programs in collaboration with our community partners and other external organizations. Some examples include Summer Work Experience in Law (SWEL), the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) Success in Law School Mentoring Program, and pre-law magnet programs at secondary schools within our footprint.
FBT Zenobia Harris Bivens Scholarship
The FBT Zenobia Harris Bivens Scholarship supports talented students pursuing legal careers. Established in 2010 as the FBT Diversity Scholarship Fund and renamed in 2022 to honor our late colleague Zenobia Harris Bivens, the scholarship reflects her legacy as a passionate advocate for justice, equity, and community. To date, we have awarded more than $90,000 to over 30 students who demonstrate academic excellence, service to the community and profession, and a commitment to advancing DEIB.
Eligibility
- Law students currently enrolled at an ABA-accredited law school
- Undergraduate students planning to attend law school
Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, particularly those whose experiences and perspectives contribute to the cause of diversity in the legal profession.
Selection Criteria
- Academic excellence
- Service to the legal profession
- Service to the community
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
For full eligibility and application details, please visit our FBT Zenobia Harris Bivens Scholarship page.
Award & Process
Each recipient will receive a $5,000 award, either as W-2 compensation or as a direct payment toward tuition or academic fees. Applications are typically distributed during the spring semester to schools within FBT’s geographic footprint.
1L Diversity Scholarship
Frost Brown Todd’s 1L Diversity Scholarship is a key part of our commitment to building a more inclusive legal profession. The scholarship is available to 1L students who have completed a paid internship in our Summer Associate Program and have accepted an offer to return the following summer. Awards are given to students who demonstrate academic excellence and who have made meaningful contributions to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – whether through leadership, community involvement, or lived experience.
Award
- $5,000 in W-2 compensation or direct payment toward tuition or academic fees
- An additional $5,000 will be awarded to recipients who complete a second summer internship and accept a full-time offer with the firm
For full eligibility and application details, please visit our Careers page.
Mansfield Rule Certified Plus, Diversity Lab
Leader in LGBTQ+ Inclusion, Human Rights Campaign
Top Performer and Compass Award, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Champion, Diversity & Flexibility Alliance
Law Firm Leadership Award, Hispanic National Bar Association.
DEI Certified, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association.
Disability Inclusion Commitments Signatory, Diversity Lab
DEIB Committee Members
At Frost Brown Todd, we recognize we are on a journey. And it’s one that requires each of us to lean in to doing and being better for our teammates, for our clients, and for the communities we are privileged to serve. We are at an inflection point; we have more work to do, collectively and individually, to advance diversity and promote equity of opportunity for all on our team. As we draw ever closer to that inclusive culture we seek, we must ensure the whole of Frost Brown Todd—teammates, clients and communities—feel like an important part of our journey forward.
Chief Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Officer
Washington, D.C.
Partner
Cincinnati, OH
Partner
Louisville, KY
Chief Human Resources Officer
Louisville, KY
Newsroom
Explore our latest DEIB-related press releases, insights and awards.
January 29, 2025 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Frost Brown Todd (FBT) is proud to announce that three of its attorneys have been chosen to particip...
January 14, 2025 | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
For the 10th consecutive year, Frost Brown Todd (FBT) has achieved a perfect rating on the Human Rig...
Let’s Connect!
Please email our dedicated DEIB team if you have any questions about our firm culture.