Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Elam & Burke, P.A., respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our strength lies in our diversity among the broad range of people, businesses and organizations we represent. We consider diversity and inclusion a driver of institutional excellence and seek out diversity of participation, thought and action. It is our aim, therefore, that our employees, owners and clients reflect and embrace these core values.

Diversity and Inclusion Framework

Elam & Burke strives to support the legal field through its leadership by providing the best resources to enable a positive impact on our community. By modeling excellence around diversity and inclusion, Elam & Burke is better situated to respond to the unique needs of the clients it represents.

It is important to support and nurture our employees by creating positive workplace environments and structures that enable them to be engaged in their jobs and to challenge them appropriately to support growth. As part of that process, we encourage diversity to be a factor considered within the firm when distributing workload, communicating with clients, appointing employees to firm committees, and attending marketing events. The firm also encourages its employees to attend diversity training.

Diversity

Diversity is defined as the quality of being different or unique at the individual or group level. This includes age; ethnicity; gender; gender identity; language differences; nationality; parental status; physical, mental and developmental abilities; race; religion; sexual orientation; skin color; socio-economic status; education; work and behavioral styles; the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, experiences and culture—and more. Even when people appear the same on the outside, they are different.

Inclusion

Inclusion is defined as the act of including; a strategy to leverage diversity. Diversity always exists in social systems. Inclusion, on the other hand, must be created. In order to leverage diversity, an environment must be created where people feel supported, listened to and able to do their personal best.