Allen Robertson Talks Robinson Bradshaw’s Diverse Recruiting Efforts with Law.com

Managing Partner Allen K. Robertson spoke with Law.com’s The Daily Report about Robinson Bradshaw’s efforts to recruit diverse attorneys to the firm. He discussed what it takes for midsize firms to diversify, the firm’s experience with recruiting in the current talent market, and what makes Robinson Bradshaw unique among other law firms.

Robertson shared several efforts the firm has engaged in to expand its diversity pipeline, including participating in diversity clerkship programs, launching the Robinson Bradshaw Diversity Fellowship, and widening its law school candidate pool to include more historically Black institutions.

When asked about the competitive lateral recruiting market, Robertson noted that Robinson Bradshaw has hired eight lateral attorneys in the past year, and that six of the eight are females and two are diverse. He discussed how the firm’s culture – free of billable hours and origination credits – was intentionally created to eliminate intrafirm competition as much as possible. This atmosphere is not only attractive to recruits, but also beneficial to clients.

“If you’re challenged and you get to do excellent work and you get to do it in an environment where you feel like you’re part of a team and not fighting and competing with each other, we feel like that increases the odds that you’re going to want to stay and be a part of that long term,” Robertson said.

The interview is available here. A subscription is required.