Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Is a Core Value

In addition to our care and priority for excellent client service, Miller Nash has a long history of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our firm and in the communities we serve. We work to ensure that diversity—which is essential to understanding varying perspectives, finding creative and effective solutions to our clients’ needs, realizing the best we have to offer, and cultivating a fair society and justice system—is considered in every aspect of our firm.

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee has developed several initiatives over the years to help us achieve our vision and mission to support diversity in our profession and community. Some of these initiatives include:

Mansfield Certification Plus Distinction

Miller Nash is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed Diversity Lab’s Mansfield 2023-2024 Law Firm Certification and has achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status—making 2024 the fifth year the firm has earned the Certification Plus distinction. The firm was one of over 360 leading law firms nationwide receiving Certification under Mansfield 2023-2024 and one of over 180 firms receiving Certification Plus status this year.

To continue its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, the firm is also proud to share that it is taking the next step by participating in the Mansfield Rule 2024-2025 Certification Program.

The goal of the Mansfield Rule program is to ensure that all talent at participating law firms and legal departments has an equal opportunity to advance into leadership by increasing transparency and broadening the pool of candidates considered for these opportunities.

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

Miller Nash is a member of, and supports attorney participation in, the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD). LCLD is an organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are committed to creating an environment where all talent has the opportunity to thrive. The LCLD invites attorneys to participate in its Fellows and Pathfinder programs, providing early- and mid-career attorneys with leadership development and relationship-building opportunities.

Women & Minority Business Enterprise Program

The firm has developed a program that offers our attorneys the ability to support and represent emerging women and minority business enterprises at a reduced fee. Our Women & Minority Business Enterprise Program is designed to attract and retain diverse clients to the firm and to assist our attorneys who have strong connections with diverse clients in the development of their businesses.

Billable-Hour Credit

We greatly value the time and effort that our attorneys contribute to supporting the recruitment, mentorship, and development of our diverse attorneys, our firm initiatives, and leadership within the community. As such, since 2015 we have been providing each attorney with billable-hour credit of up to 150 billable credit hours for these diversity initiatives, leadership, and pro bono work.

Diversity Fellowship Program

To ensure that we attract and support talent from diverse backgrounds and to support diversity within the firm and the Pacific Northwest’s legal, business, public sector, and philanthropic communities, we have created a multifaceted program that includes our highly selective Diversity Fellowship. Each year, we make available fellowships to exceptional law students who are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal profession. The recipient will receive a paid (Seattle–$3,000/week; Portland–$2,800/week), ten-week summer associate position, and after successful completion of the summer associate fellowship, will be awarded a $15,000 scholarship. Each recipient may receive a Miller Nash Diversity Fellowship only once.

Learn more about our diversity fellowship program here.

Affinity Groups

Miller Nash aims to nurture a robust network of attorneys and staff with diverse backgrounds to support the retention and growth of all of our professionals. Currently, our affinity groups include LGBTQIA+ professionals, professionals of color, women, veterans, allies, and those who are neurodivergent. Our affinity groups are open to all attorneys and staff. These groups offer support and camaraderie, provide professional development and networking opportunities, and host educational events.

Leaders for Change

Our attorneys serve as leaders in many local minority bar associations and receive full support of the firm as they take on their leadership roles. Current and recent examples of associations where our attorneys have served as board chairs include the Loren Miller Bar Association, WSBA Indian Law Section, Seattle QLaw LGBTQ+ Bar Association, Oregon Hispanic Bar Association, and Oregon Minority Lawyers Association.

Partnering with Our Clients on Diversity

We work with our clients to ensure that we are aligned on DEI priorities, share best practices, and share training that we bring in on topics like implicit bias and effective mentorship. We realize that the most impactful work happens when we partner with our clients and the community to collectively address and strengthen inclusion in our workplaces.