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Context: am trying to advocate for my firm to say something and any examples of other firms speaking out would be helpful (although I’m not very hopeful)
I haven’t seen any firms yet (some companies have) but several firms did put out statements during summer 2020, those might be helpful. TBH I don’t expect leadership at most firms to understand that this goes beyond recent violence / the nuances that necessitate their statements over the summer to be followed up with dedication now to also support the Asian American community
Firms and the law don't give a shit about Asians. Asians aren't considered URM for law school purposes, even though many comes from underprivileged backgrounds. Asians are basically just used to boost diversity quotas slowly being required by clients. Like, Asians seem to be empty diversity calories. I highly doubt we'll see firms send out any types of announcements like the ones that were making the rounds when George Floyd was killed.
Also a lot of statements and things firms do around social justice tend to be driven by associates basically telling them too in some way or sort. I know a lot of people in all industries were putting the pressure on corporate entities when it came to police brutality and that worked...shouldn’t have had to come down to that but sometimes you have to make yourself known because businesses generally don’t care about much unless it’s affecting their bottom line.
Nixon Peabody sent out an email condemning hate crimes in the Asian community and said that they stand with the Asian community.
Yeah you’re right about actionable items but not really. Just links to review a couple websites where you can learn about ways to help, but in theory associates could get billable diversity credit if they did something through those orgs. I haven’t seen too many donating directly to any cause, but would love to know who is.
Good news update to all - I understand Freshfields has/will shortly be putting out a statement. Thanks very much for all the advice and help :)
Thanks for all the comments - was glad to hear at least some firms put out statements in 2020 (I investigated - a few of them signed a NAPABA statement) and about Nixon Peabody!
Disappointing but not unexpected to hear about the silence this time round - I guess the next best thing would be to show how clients are concerned about it (I think Apple and Nike have said something, a few other companies as well).
Airbnb and Salesforce have both also put up good resource pages which I am cribbing from to try to create a firm internal resource - strongly recommend these for anyone else looking to do the same!
https://news.airbnb.com/resources-for-allyship-and-fighting-anti-asian-discrimination/
https://www.salesforce.com/blog/support-asian-community/
Goodwin sent out emails multiple times last year as well as last week about the violence against Asians and encouraged everyone to reach out to firm resources if there are initiatives they’d like to support, need help or generally just to talk.
Good for you, OP. I'm at a civil rights org so we have but I assume you're referring to private law firms. I think the hate crimes would have to be more high profile for firms to speak up publicly. Did your firm issue statements after Dylann Roof murdered the Black Americans in church or for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting?
I don’t know of firms, but local bar associations— particularly minority affinity ones— have in my area.