Diversity: Labor and Employment Law, School Law, Lawyers, Attorneys, Franczek Radelet

Diversity & Inclusion

Statement of Principle

Franczek Radelet P.C. is unconditionally committed to the goal of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We value highly the varied perspectives and experiences which are found only in a diverse workplace. Our Firm recognizes that diversity and inclusion makes for a broader, richer environment which produces more creative thinking, resulting in more effective business solutions for the Firm and its clients. Thus we believe that promoting diversity and inclusion is essential to the success of our business.

Our Definition of Diversity

Diversity at Franczek Radelet means inclusion of employees of different race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, cultural and ethnic background, ability, nationality and other unique attributes that do not interfere with effective job performance and superior client service.

Part of this commitment includes fostering an environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees have the opportunity to thrive, and we fully support those who wish to self-identify. We also fully support those who wish to uphold their right to privacy and will maintain confidentiality.

How We Achieve Diversity and Inclusion

Maintaining and expanding the diversity of the Firm’s attorneys and staff is a central tenet of the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Policy and will be achieved through:

Diversity Committee – An attorney-staff Firm Diversity Committee, chaired by the Firm’s Diversity Officer, focuses on promoting firm diversity, supporting ongoing diversity initiatives and policies, and developing additional diversity outreach both internally and externally.
Training and compliance – Regularly communicating the Firm’s Diversity Policy and its underlying rationale and values to all shareholders and employees; Full compliance is a condition of employment by the Firm;
Recruitment – Actively recruiting from a diverse attorney and staff pool;
Retention – Maintaining an effective orientation program and mentoring practices for all new attorneys and staff;
Work Assignment – Ensuring that all attorneys and staff receive challenging work assignments and that all attorneys receive client exposure opportunities consistent with their demonstrated skill and ability; and
Firm Leadership – Seeking to include a diverse group in Firm leadership and management.

The Firm’s Diversity Officer

The Firm’s Diversity Officer is charged with the following responsibilities:

Community outreach and research to ensure that the Firm’s diversity and inclusion commitment regularly evolves to reflect best practices;
Review and monitor the Firm’s efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion with an emphasis on recruitment, retention and advancement of a diverse workforce and superior client service;
Receive and address workplace issues relating to diversity and inclusion;
Foster knowledge and understanding of this policy and its underlying rationale among all Firm employees;
Facilitate opportunities for diversity and inclusion training among all employees; and
Facilitate the Firm’s participation in and support of external diversity and inclusion initiatives among our clients, the legal profession and our surrounding community.

Diversity Programs & Sponsorship

LEADS Fellowship Program

Franczek Radelet is currently considering 2L and 1L law students for its 2013 LEADS Fellows class. In 2011, Franczek Radelet announced the implementation of this exciting and creative diversity pipeline initiative that we believe to be unprecedented in terms of its focus and structure. The Firm’s Legal Education for the Advancement of Diversity and Scholarship (LEADS) fellowship program is designed to increase the placement of diverse lawyers at our law firm and in private practice generally. The LEADS program is an intensive eight week program designed for law students who have an interest in pursuing a legal career in private practice representing employers in labor and employment matters. The program’s goal is to provide concentrated labor and employment legal experience while developing a pipeline of highly qualified, diverse candidates for potential future employment in the legal profession. More information is available here.

Franczek Radelet attorney Abizer Zanzi, member of the Indian-American Bar Association of Chicago (IABA), serves as the Vice President of Conventions (2014 Convention) for the North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA). He is one of four co-chairs assisting the association with the planning of its annual convention in Chicago in 2014. NASABA provides a vital link between South Asian lawyers and the South Asian community across North America. As a bar association, NASABA affords North American South Asian lawyers a recognized forum for professional growth and advancement. The IABA is the NASABA's Chicago chapter. Abizer also serves on IABA’s professional development committee.

National Latino Education Institute - Inspiring Success | Changing Lives

Franczek Radelet's Diversity Officer Michael Hernandez also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Latino Education Institute (NLEI). On March 27, he participated in a press conference hosted by NLEI. The organization was joined by Governor Pat Quinn to announce a $750,000 grant that will increase opportunities for workers in Illinois to receive job training in the growing field of health care. The grant for New Start, Inc. will help form a training program for certified nursing assistants at the NLEI in Chicago and a Springfield office of New Start, Inc., a nonprofit established in 1971 that helps with job training.

Black Women Lawyers' Association

Franczek Radelet is sponsoring the Black Women Lawyers' Association (BWLA) 2013 Spring Fundraiser. In 2009, Franczek Radelet received the BWLA President's Award for Continuous Support of Diversity and Scholarship. Founded in 1987, BWLA is one of the fastest growing bar Associations in Illinois. BWLA is representative of African-American female attorneys, judges, law professors and law students in the Chicago area.

Transforming the Paradigm of Educating Children

Franczek Radelet is sponsoring the 2013 Superintendents' Commission for the Study of Demographics and Diversity Annual Regional Conference in March 2013. The conference, "Transforming the Paradigm of Educating Children," focuses on educator quality, student achievement and assessment, school improvement and working conditions.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Black History Month

On February 20, Franczek Radelet is welcoming David Rudd, Vice President at The Axis Agency as guest speaker for the Firm's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. / Black History Month Luncheon Celebration. David specializes in corporate diversity, public affairs, and brand communications. He is an executive communications and media relations professional with 24 years of experience in the corporate and public sectors. Axis is a Culture Movement Marketing Agency specializing in strategic marketing and communications campaigns that tap into these unique culture-based movements to achieve breakthrough success for leading brands.

Trial of Socrates

On January 31, 2012, Ares Dalianis, Mike Hernandez, Scott Metcalf, Andrew Malahowski and Mark Wilkinson attended the Trial of Socrates that was held at the National Hellenic Museum. Judge Richard A. Posner presiding, William J. Bauer, former Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, and Anna Demacopoulos, Circuit Court Judge, and a jury of twelve distinguished citizens of Chicago, decided the validity of the charges against the philosopher. Socrates was defended by Dan Webb from Winston & Strawn and Robert A. Clifford from Clifford Law Offices. Former U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald from Skadden, Arps and former prosecutor Patrick M. Collins from Perkins Coie represented the City of Athens.

Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Franczek Radelet supported the Chicago Sinfonietta's Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrating the universal lessons of Dr. King with music from the American South to the African plains. The Chicago Sinfonietta strives to serve as a national model for inclusiveness and innovation in classical music through the presentation of the highest quality orchestral concerts and related programs.

Lisa McGarrity was selected as one of the top women lawyers in Illinois by Leading Lawyers Magazine – Women’s Edition, and profiled in their 2012 Edition. Lisa's profile provides considerable insight into her broad practice with several clients commenting on Lisa’s exceptional qualities as an attorney and an advocate. “Lisa knows our contract with our union as well as anyone in this company,” commented Michael Seeman of Midwest Generation. “While she’s not an employee, she has the same vested interest in our company to be successful,” and union leadership “will say she is tough but they really respect her in how she goes about doing her business in situations where we are essentially arguing with the union.” Richard Robbins of Morningstar said McGarrity is “effective and persuasive in communications” and describes her as “an effective advocate.”

9th Annual Changing Color of Leadership Conference & Bridge Awards Dinner

On November 15, 2012, Michael Hernandez attended the 9th Annual Changing Color of Leadership Conference and Bridge Awards Dinner hosted by Chicago United. The Changing Color of Leadership Conference has become the preeminent forum for business leaders, diversity professionals, and minority business owners throughout the Chicago region to discuss strategies that energize corporate leaders and create organizational change. The Bridge Awards Dinner honored William C. Weldon, Chairman of the Board of Johnson & Johnson, for receiving the National Bridge Award and Gregory D. Wasson, President and CEO of Walgreen Co., for receiving the Chicago Bridge Award.

Polish American Heritage Month

On October 11, 2012, Franczek Radelet celebrated Polish American Heritage Month and welcomed guest speaker, Grazyna Zajaczkowska, Director of Immigrant Services at the Polish American Association (PAA). Grazyna shared the history of the Polish American community in the Chicago neigborhoods and discussed some of the issues and concerns of the immigrant families in the community. She also provided some background information on the PAA and its services to its community.

Grazyna is an active member in her community. She has served on numerous immigration committeees and commissions, including the US Department of Homeland Security Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Chicago Quarterly Community Engagement Rouandtable. She provides expert testimony to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and often serves a sole representative of Polonia.

In November 2012, Franczek Radelet held a clothing drive to benefit the Polish American Association (PAA). The Firm partnered with the PAA and collected 350 items of clothing, 25 stuffed animals, numerous baskets and recycled holiday cards, all filling nine over-sized boxes.

Twentieth Annual El Humanitario Awards Ceremony

Michael Hernandez was recently appointed by Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez to serve on the Hispanic Advisory Council. He attended the Twentieth Annual El Humanitario Awards Ceremony hosted by the Cook County State's Attorney Office and the Hispanic Advisory Council on October 10, 2012. The cermony honored Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr., President of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute and Honorable Jesse G. Reyes.

LGBT Month

On August 6, 2012, Franczek Radelet celebrated LGBT month and welcomed Dr. James Gandre, Provost and Executive Vice President of Roosevelt University who also serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Dr. Gandre discussed the national Gay Liberation/Pride movement from a historical perspective, offered some of his own experience as a gay man, and shared some insights about workplace sensitivity.

Franczek Radelet was selected by Equality Illinois as one of the top Illinois law firms “Taking A Stand” by leading the way to LGBT equality. Several Chicago law firms were recognized for achievements that support LGBT workplace equality based on the results of the Equality Illinois 2012 Law Firm Survey. Franczek Radelet will be among the law firms recognized in the dedicated publication Raising the Bar: Recognizing Best Practices in Recruiting, Hiring, and Retaining LGBT Employees which publicizes the survey findings and outlines recommendations for firms seeking to increase their workplace diversity and equality.

Franczek Radelet attorneys Amy K. Dickerson, Michael J. Hernandez, Gwen B. Morales, Ellen Wetmore and Mark S. Wilkinson attended the award ceremony on July 26.

Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 to secure, protect and defend the basic civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Illinoisans. It is the state’s largest organization advocating for full equality for LGBT people in Illinois.

National Latino Education Institute - Inspiring Success | Changing Lives

On June 14, 2012, Franczek Radelet's Diversity Officer Michael Hernandez attended the 40th Anniversary Annual Dinner, "Inspiring Success & Changing Lives," for the National Latino Education Institute. Michael serves on the Board of Directors for the National Latino Education Institute which defines its mission as enhancing the lives of Latinos through educational, vocational, and employment services, and through advocacy, thus enabling the achievement of economic independence.

Franczek Radelet partner Dana Fattore Crumley is one of only 15 Chicago women attorneys recognized in Law Bulletin Publishing Company’s annual Chicago Women in Law: Women Making An Impact. The supplement features the achievements and accomplishments of the nominated women attorneys who are making a significant impact on the Chicago legal community.

To achieve this significant recognition, Dana received detailed nominations from clients, peers and the firm, attesting to her skills, accomplishments and the impact she is making in the profession. This is the second annual Women Making An Impact list. Franczek Radelet partner Sally J. Scott was recognized in the 2011 Women Making An Impact.

Greek History and Greek Independence Day Celebration

On April 5, 2012, the firm celebrated Greek History and Greek Independence Day by welcoming Peter Stamatis, co-author of Dandelions for Dinner: Greece at War and a Family’s Dreams of America, to discuss his book and share more about his family's history. Peter is a trial attorney and founder of the Law Offices of Peter S. Stamatis, P.C.

A Long Walk Home

In 2012, Franczek Radelet continued its corporate sponsorship of A Long Walk Home, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago which uses art therapy and the visual and performance arts to document, educate and bring about social change. The organization uses testimonies, poetry, music, photographs and videos of and by women and children to provide safe and educational forums through which the public learns about healing from trauma.

A Long Walk Home was created by two sisters, Scheherazade and Salamishah Tillet when Scheherazade learned that her older sister, Salamishah, was a violent crime survivor. Scheherazade began photographing and documenting the impact of the incident in Salamishah’s life. Eventually, Salamishah and Scheherazade decided to help more people heal from their experiences as violent crime victims by transforming this intimate photography project into the multimedia performance, SOARS (Story Of A Rape Survivor). Given the positive feedback of SOARS and the high incidents of violence that women and children experience everyday, Schehehrazade and Salamishah founded A Long Walk Home in 2003, and developed comprehensive anti-violence programs that use the visual and performance arts as vehicles for healing, social change and education.

Franczek Radelet is involved and sponsors various organizations, some of which are listed above. This involvement is one of the many ways the firm celebrates diversity and inclusion. This support does not mean the firm shares or endorses the views or opinions of any one of these organizations.