Haynes Boone is among the fastest-growing firms in the Am Law 100, providing full-service counsel across sectors, including corporate, energy, financial services, real estate, restructuring, litigation, intellectual property and specialty transactions. The firm represents companies at all stages – many in the Fortune 500 and S&P 500 and hundreds that are well-funded, exchange-listed, privately held and/or in emerging-growth mode. Nearly 700 lawyers practice across 19 global offices in California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., London, Mexico City and Shanghai. In 2024, Chambers USA ranked 35 firm practice areas, and Haynes Boone became the first Am Law 100 firm to earn Mental Health America’s Gold Bell Seal for its industry-leading commitment to creating a mentally healthy workplace.
Cheslie Kryst was an attorney and Miss USA 2019. In the weeks before her tragic death by suicide in January, she posted a series of videos on the social media platform TikTok exploring why she no longer practised law.
February is Black History Month in the U.S. and a time to
reflect on the stark lessons of the past and how corporations and
firms can help build a brighter future for all, says Theresa Conduah of Haynes Boone.
Cheslie Kryst was an attorney and Miss USA 2019. In the weeks
before her tragic death by suicide in January, she posted a series
of videos on the social media platform TikTok exploring why she no
longer practised law.
Among the reasons she discussed was the lack of diversity and
constant microaggressions she faced as a Black woman in the legal
profession. While we may not have known her personally, Kryst's
words should resonate with each of us and serve as a call to
action.
Racial diversity in IP law is far behind the "growth"
in other sectors of the law. I have heard of minority IP attorneys,
especially Black IP attorneys, often referred to as
"unicorns" because of the lack of racial diversity in IP
law.
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