Quarles & Brady is an active citizen in the communities it serves. Our support for diversity in these communities takes many forms, including extensive pro bono legal services and community activities as well as substantial financial contributions to organizations that further diversity. Firm members are often recognized for their outstanding community service. For example, John W. Daniels, Jr., a partner and chair of the Executive Committee, received the 2001 Human Relations Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), a human relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry and racism in America. Our Honors, Awards and Community Involvement describe more about our awards and recognitions.

Quarles & Brady attorneys also work to increase diversity in the legal community. Our firm is a charter member of the Diversity Leadership Alliance in Phoenix, and is an active member in the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms. Our lawyers have been involved with the first Arizona Bar standing committee on sexual orientation and gender identity issues, the Equal Opportunities Law Section of the Florida Bar and the Diversity Outreach Committee of the Wisconsin Bar. Our firm is a signatory of the Florida Bar Equal Opportunities Law Section Statement of Principle and the Chicago Bar Association Call to Action, an initiative to increase gender diversity in the legal profession in the Chicago area.

Other Initiatives Outside the Firm Include:

Cook County Bar Association/Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms Student Job Fair - Quarles & Brady provides financial support for this job fair, which is sponsored by the Cook County Bar Association and the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms. This minority job fair typically attracts over 400 students and approximately 100 law firms, corporations and government agencies.

USLFG Committees on Women and Racial Diversity - The United States Law Firm Group (USLFG) is a national network of 19 law firms. Members of the USLFG's Women's Committee and Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity meet each year, and confer frequently by telephone and e-mail, regarding current developments and best practices. Our representatives are John Daniels and Nancy Peterson.

UW Law School Legal Education Opportunities Program - Quarles & Brady was an endowing member of the Legal Education Opportunities (LEO) Program at the University of Wisconsin Law School, and we continue to sponsor that program.  LEO is designed to bring the UW Law School's students of color together as a single community, provide a strong academic and social support network, promote diversity and recruit students from groups that have been historically disadvantaged. We play a significant continuing role in this excellent program, including our participation in The Friends of LEO, which raises money, connects students of color with LEO alumni around the country, and provides a mentoring program for students of color who do not have a lawyer in their immediate families.

The Fellowship Open - Founded in 2001 by John Daniels (Chair) and Darlene Austin (Event Coordinator), "The Fellowship Open" golf event is a charity event designed to raise money for organizations and institutions that foster and develop character and values among minority youth. Now in its seventh year, the annual Quarles & Brady sponsored event has contributed more than $350,000 to youth activities in Milwaukee among over 25 organizations. With this year's record turnout of approximately 400 attendees, the event joined together young, dynamic professionals who are committed to having an impact in the central city with prominent leaders from the community. Many of the firm's clients support this event and view it as an opportunity to promote diversity for people in their companies. In 2003, "The Fellowship Open" was selected by the PGA for outstanding efforts for minority youth in the community.

The YMCA Black Achievers of Greater Milwaukee - The YMCA Black Achievers group is comprised of African-American professionals who are dedicated to community service. Members volunteer to share experiences with "Teen Achievers" and other local youth. The program vision is to be the leading resource in preparing young people for their futures, providing leadership experiences for existing and emerging community leaders, and increasing the community reinvestment of local businesses and organizations. Founded in Harlem in 1971, the Milwaukee contingent was established in 1982. The firm has supported this program since 1993. Over the years, the firm has sponsored the membership of seven Q&B employees and many of our volunteers have donated over 100 hours per year. Last year our own Shawn Jones won the Alumni Achiever Award.