Sylvia James Email and Phone Number

It’s my responsibility to develop and implement the Firm’s diversity initiatives by partnering with key stakeholders, including the Diversity Committee, Recruiting and Development Department, Client Relations Department, Human Resources Department, Firm leadership, external organizations and clients. I also develop and conduct training on diversity, inclusion, cultural competency and bias. It’s important to me that people are adequately educated on the issues that impact the career trajectories of women and diverse individuals. I joined the Firm when the diversity initiative was in its infancy and helped design and implement a comprehensive program that has resulted in the Firm being recognized by external organizations and clients as one of the top law firms for diversity. Among other things, I partner with stakeholders to integrate diversity into recruitment, retention, development, marketing, HR, and engagement processes and programs; manage and advise affinity/employee resource groups for women, LGBT and minority lawyers; develop and organize retreats for women partners and diverse lawyers; monitor work assignments and billable hours; develop professional development programs for women and diverse lawyers; create and manage firmwide diversity budget; partner with women and minority student organizations; prepare annual diversity reports and provide quarterly briefings to Firm management; manage all communication about the Firm's diversity initiatives and performance; developed exit interview questionnaire and conduct exit interviews of select lawyers; serve as liaison with clients and external organizations that promote diversity and inclusion; represent the firm in strategic external partnerships and outreach activities; serve as a trusted advisor to firm leadership; serve as Affirmative Action Administrator; and manage a best-in-case supplier diversity program.

I had the pleasure of working in the only corporate diversity counseling group that existed at a national law firm. I consulted with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to improve diversity programs and performance by conducting diversity and legal vulnerability assessments; developing tailored, comprehensive diversity action plans, consistent with best practices and available resources; and assisting in plan implementation, monitoring and oversight. I had the pleasure of assisting several companies that are now heralded as diversity leaders.During my time here, I assisted in spearheading a firm-wide diversity assessment of Holland & Knight, prepared the diversity findings and recommendations, and assisted the firm in implementing these recommendations. In the process of implementation, I began conducting mandatory diversity training. In addition, I counseled clients on a wide range of employment, affirmative action and human resources issues, and defended cases alleging violation of federal and state employment laws.

Primary responsibility focused on multiple employment litigation and counseling matters involving Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), and other federal and state employment laws. In this role, I worked closely with the General Counsel of a large Professional Employer Organization to resolve a broad variety of human resources and employment-related issues and complaints.

This could be the start to my passion for diversity. I assisted an international employer with thousands of employees in developing and conducting diversity audits of its nationwide facilities. This included employee interviews, review and assessment of policies, procedures, and practices, and evaluation and measurement of diversity performance against legal and regulatory requirements. After each audit, I prepared a report with my findings and concrete recommendations to enhance diversity. In addition, I advised clients on internal discrimination complaints, and defended cases alleging discrimination under federal and state laws. My role in preparing briefs, pleadings, and memoranda for actions under Title VII, the ADA, the ADEA, the FLSA, the FMLA, the NLRA, and state laws led to my position with Scopelitis, Garvin, Light & Hanson as a Labor and Employment Associate.