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. In January 2011, Chairman Daniels co-chaired an event held in honor of Maestro Paul Freeman, retiring conductor of the Chicago Sinfonietta, the most diverse professional orchestra in the United States. John Daniels was recently invited by the Harvard Law School as part of its Celebration of Black Alumni to be a speaker on careers in corporate law firms. This event was held September 16, 2011 at the Harvard Law School. 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:

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity - The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) was formed in 2009 to advance diversity in the legal profession. It is an organization of corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to a truly diverse profession.  As a member, Quarles has signed a Commitment Statement to materially improve the legal profession’s diversity and inclusion performance. Quarles also participates in the Leadership Council's 'Fellows Program'.

Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms - The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms is the preeminent voice and agent fostering racial and ethnic diversity in the Chicago legal community, impacting the broader legal profession. Quarles participates in the Committee's Mentorship Academy, a curriculum- and coaching-based approach to building the foundation for successful mentoring relationships between attorneys of different firms and of different levels of seniority and supports the LegalTrek program, a 10 week summer program to encourage and prepare students, who have been historically underrepresented in the legal field, to consider entering the profession as well as provide the resources necessary to help those in law school succeed.

Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession - The Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (“Institute”) is a not-for-profit organization that, through educational programs, research and publications, will address the lack of diversity and inclusion that continues to challenge the legal profession and undermine its credibility within the justice system.  Quarles is participating the Institute's "The Pledge to the Profession", a personal promise by corporate law departments, law firms of all sizes, governmental law departments, bar associations, and any other group of lawyers to have 10% of the lawyers in the group each spend a minimum of one day (or its equivalent) during the upcoming year –– working with a local group of students. Quarles has committed to use track their service so that at the end of the year, the Institute will be able to report on how many signatories met their pledge.

USLFG Committees on Women and Racial Diversity - We are members of 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.

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 and managed by Darlene Austin, "The Fellowship Open" golf outing is a charity event designed to raise money for central city organizations and institutions that foster and develop character and values among minority youth in the City of Milwaukee. In its eleventh year, the annual Quarles & Brady sponsored event has contributed more than $550,000 to over 55 organizations. The event continues to have record turnout of approximately 400 attendees. Another accomplishment of this event is that it has joined together dynamic business professionals who are committed to having an impact in the central city with prominent leaders from the community. Many of Q&B's clients support this event and view it as an opportunity to promote diversity for people in their companies. In both 2003 and 2010, "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.

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.