Overview
Goldberg Kohn is committed to having a work environment that is diverse and inclusive, and to sustaining a culture in which all professionals experience a true sense of belonging. We believe this commitment is critical to the health and success of our Firm, and central to sustaining strong relationships with our clients and our communities.
To preserve this commitment, Goldberg Kohn has collaborative programs focused on ensuring opportunities for recruitment, retention and promotion of all professionals. Examples include our GK Advocates program, which establishes mentorship relationships for all Associates centered around internal and external networking opportunities, and provides them regular career and business development support and resources. In addition, through our Women's Task Force, which is open to all attorneys, Goldberg Kohn actively supports and raises awareness of and commitment to women attorneys within the Firm.
Within our community, Goldberg Kohn actively supports numerous organizations both financially and with our volunteer time, and has cultivated a robust pro bono program that assists underserved communities, winning multiple awards for our work. And through our Opportunities for Suppliers Program, Goldberg Kohn has sought to expand the consideration pool of businesses providing services to the Firm.
Diversity Committee
Goldberg Kohn's Diversity Committee drives initiatives and programs in support of Goldberg Kohn's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Committee is appointed by, and works closely with, the Management Committee on a number of key projects, such as GK Advocates. We believe this top down support is vital to the success of the Diversity Committee and the programs and initiatives it promotes.
The Diversity Committee is comprised of a cross-section of Principals, Associates and administrative leadership who develop and execute firm-wide diversity initiatives in support of the Committee.
In order to widen our Firm's consideration pool of attorney applicants, the Diversity Committee partners with the Firm's Recruiting Committee. This ensures that everyone from all backgrounds has the opportunity to be considered for a legal career at Goldberg Kohn, and that the best and most qualified individuals can be chosen from within a broad talent pool. The Diversity Committee also provides financial support to organizations devoted to expanding the talent pipeline to include law students with diverse views and experiences, including the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP).
Finally, the Diversity Committee assists in educating all of Goldberg Kohn about various backgrounds and ethnicities by creating and distributing monthly emails celebrating a particular Heritage Month. These celebrative and informative monthly Heritage emails have recognized Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Women's History, Pride, Black History, Juneteenth, National Disability Employment Awareness, Native Americans, Hispanics and Veterans.
GK Advocates
Established in 2019, the GK Advocates Program is a firm-wide effort to ensure that all Associates have access to resources to support their success and promotion at the Firm. Our program is centered around the three pillars of (1) career and business development through goal setting and execution, (2) community building and (3) networking. Each participating Associate is supported by a GK Advocates Advisor and Practice Group Mentor. The GK Advocates Advisor, who is a Diversity Committee Member, focuses on helping the Associate better navigate their career and understand the Firm culture. The Practice Group Mentor, who is complimented by the GK Advocates Advisor, serves as the professional career advisor and supports the Associate's development as a practicing attorney.
The GK Advocates Program participants receive training around the expectations for the participants; the Associates receive periodic professional development training and guidance. The Associates will have opportunities for community building within their group and also broader networking with the Firm's Principals.
Other Diversity Initiatives
ENGAGE
In 2003, Goldberg Kohn's women attorneys established the non-profit group ENGAGE (working women who Enjoy Networking, Giving And Getting Educated) with the primary objective of bringing together women attorneys and business professionals for networking while participating in social, philanthropic and educational activities. All ENGAGE events benefit a Chicago area charity and revolve around the founding principles: networking, giving and education. Since the first ENGAGE event in February of 2003, the group has provided education on topics ranging from mental health, self-care, sustainability, empowerment and heart health to self-defense and balancing work and family. ENGAGE participation has tripled in size since its origination and has helped support numerous charities and dozens of locally-owned businesses.
Standing Together Initiative
Beginning in 2020, Goldberg Kohn committed even more strongly to the goal of reform and equality of opportunity with its "Standing Together Initiative" to organize our commitment to each other and the Black community, with specific events, donations and volunteer opportunities promoted throughout the year. This included a financial donation and volunteer activities with My Block My Hood My City and the Firm's Alliance membership with the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA).
The Standing Together Initiative has expanded over the years to support important justice causes more broadly, and to stand against bias. As part of the initiative, Goldberg Kohn and our employees supported the Chicago Youth Centers Clean Up Day, aimed to provide a clean, organized and safe environment for youth entering Chicago's summer programs. In addition to donating time to clean and paint the Crown Center facility, Goldberg Kohn's generous financial donation helped provide the Center with supplies and resources needed to run its summer programs.
Opportunities for Suppliers Program
Goldberg Kohn intentionally considers a broad range of third-party suppliers to service the Firm and our clients. This inclusive sourcing ensures that all qualified businesses are provided an equal opportunity to compete, with excellence as the sole basis for our decisions. These include court reporters, trial support businesses, investigators, local legal counsel, staffing agencies, technology consultants, movers, food services providers, marketing support, photographers, and office repairs and maintenance companies.
Pro Bono Initiatives
Goldberg Kohn is committed to supporting and assisting individuals and organizations in the Chicagoland area and beyond through pro bono representation. Each year, the Firm encourages attorneys to identify pro bono opportunities and allocates time to this work that is driven by the interests of the Firm’s attorneys. As a testament to the importance that the Firm places on the pro bono work in which we are involved, time dedicated to pro bono matters is reflected in our attorneys' annual billable hours totals.
The Firm contributes professional skills and substantial resources in cases and projects that assist those who could not otherwise obtain legal representation and supports diverse social causes that increase access to the arts and cultural expressions of Chicago.
Since 2022, the Firm participated in a Post-Asylum Benefits Clinic and worked with five families to assist them in obtaining green cards. Goldberg Kohn attorneys also worked with Ascend Justice on Domestic Violence Orders of Protection, the ADAPT (advance directives) project, Legal Aid Chicago, Cabrini Green Legal Aid expungement clinics, Wills for Heroes and Lawyers for the Creative Arts.
In addition, the Firm’s principals established the Goldberg Kohn Foundation, which annually provides financial support to scores of local, regional and national charities, as well as civic and cultural organizations.
Partnerships
Goldberg Kohn provides leadership, pro bono, and financial support to a range of organizations whose mission is promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and supporting diverse people and communities. Among the many organizations we are proud to support each year are the following:
- Anti-Defamation League
- Chicago Appleseed
- Chicago Bar Association Investing in Justice Campaign
- Illinois Holocaust Museum
- Judicial Intern Opportunity Program
- Legal Aid Chicago
- Legal Council for Health Justice
- Metropolitan Family Services
- National Immigrant Justice Center