Inclusion Builds the Foundation for Diversity

At Poyner Spruill, we are committed to supporting the advancement of diverse attorneys, actively recruiting diverse persons, and participating in bar associations and community activities that advance inclusiveness and diversity in the legal profession and the communities in which we live and work.

Diversity has always been a key element of our strategic vision. For our multifaceted legal practice, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the firm is important to the quality of legal work and client service we provide.

“Promoting inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity is fundamental to our collective success and the success of our clients. The varied backgrounds and experiences of Poyner Spruill’s attorneys and staff enable us to find strength in our differences, attract and retain talented and creative people, and promote innovative solutions for our clients.”
Dan Cahill, Managing Partner

Partnering In Support

Organizations Supporting Diversity

We work closely with local minority bar associations and other organizations supporting diversity, including:

The North Carolina Bar Association's Minorities in the Profession Committee

The firm is a participating employer in the 1L Summer Associate Program.

The Charlotte Legal Diversity Clerkship program

The firm partners with corporations to provide summer clerkship experience to diverse attorneys.

USLAW Diversity Initiatives

As a member of USLAW, Poyner Spruill actively supports the organization's diversity initiatives. The USLAW Diversity Council creates a space for member firms to discover best practices in matters relating to recruitment, hiring, and retention of diverse attorneys and legal professionals.

Capital City Lawyers Association

Firm employees are members of the Capital City Lawyers Association, which aims to improve the quality of life in underprivileged or under-represented communities in Wake County through service, scholarship, and education.

International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC)

The firm supports this organization, which is the first international professional association dedicated to enhancing the professional status of women in all disciplines of insolvency and restructuring.

Haven House Services

The firm supports Haven House, which operates 11 programs that help youth in need overcome challenges and find a path to success. Haven House helps youth navigate issues such as homelessness, a crisis at home or school, gang involvement, or problems involving the juvenile justice system, by providing resources and teaching skills needed for long-term success.

Note in the Pocket

Poyner Spruill supports Note in the Pocket, which aims to provide quality clothing to homeless and impoverished children and families. We organize volunteer opportunities for firm employees and sponsor Note in the Pocket’s annual fundraiser, the Socks & Undies 5K Rundie.

Wake Tech IGNITE

The firm is a proud supporter of Wake Tech IGNITE. This annual event highlights the community college and how it achieves its mission of transforming lives. Each year, students, graduates, faculty members, and community leaders deliver testimonials about how Wake Tech helped transform their lives and the greater Raleigh community.

“Where and how we recruit is key. As a group we make sure to interview in a variety of places, through various programs, in pursuit of the best legal talent.”
Sarah Difranco, Charlotte-based partner and member of the Summer Associate Hiring Committee

In addition to recruiting from a large and inclusive body of organizations, the firm regularly serves as a sponsor for conferences, meetings, scholarships, and retreats focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, such as:

Raleigh Chamber conferences that celebrate diversity, including the DEI Conference and the Women’s Leadership Conference;
The North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities Human Resources Group Roundtable; and,
The Cheslie C. Kryst Advocacy and Social Justice Law Scholarship at the Wake Forest University School of Law. Cheslie, a beloved colleague who passed away in 2022, was a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. This scholarship is awarded annually to students from underrepresented backgrounds who demonstrate a passion for the pursuit of social justice and civil rights causes after graduation.

The firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee frequently organizes “Lunch and Learn” sessions, including:

Our Voices Panel, held during Black History Month, where local leaders highlight the importance of building a strong, diverse, and equitable community;
Women’s Panel, held in August in honor of Women’s Equality Day, where panelists discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace; and
Informational sessions from local non-profits, including a LGBTQ+ Identities presentation from the LGBT Center of Raleigh and a Supporting Youth in the Community presentation from Haven House Services.

Poyner Spruill also partners with Dr. Arin Reeves, a nationally recognized Diversity and Leadership consultant, to provide ongoing training sessions and educational opportunities. Dr. Reeves is the founder and Managing Director of Nextions, which specializes in workplace culture change. Her recent trainings include:

Thriving in Chaos: Understanding Energy Management
Inclusive Communications: Breaking Through Divisiveness
Closing the Generation Gap: Effective Communication Strategies to Bridge Generational Differences

The firm’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee focuses on fostering an environment in which differences are appreciated and valued. The committee includes a member of the Management Committee, the firm’s Managing Partner, a representative from the Associates’ Committee and the Summer Associate Hiring Committee, as well as the Directors of Human Resources and Client Service & Strategy.

Poyner Spruill has more than 30 female attorneys, 2 of whom serve as leaders in the firm.

Our firm has over 140 years of history in North Carolina, having been formed by the merger of two of North Carolina’s longest standing and most respected law firms.

The firm’s Women’s Affinity Group, a subgroup of the DEI Committee, regularly organizes networking events to promote our female professionals.

“We are looking for the best legal talent, both staff and attorneys, who will add to our culture and help make us a stronger firm. We never know where this talent can be found, so we try to involve ourselves with as many programs as we can.”
Nina Long, Director of Human Resources