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Diversity and Inclusion Testimonials

"As the keynote speaker for the 2008 Annual Duane Morris Diversity Retreat, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the enthusiasm and dedication of the firm's leadership and attorneys for its distinctive diversity program. More than 60 diverse attorneys and Diversity and Inclusion Committee members attended the program, which featured interactive panels and breakout sessions focused around the theme 'Pathways to Success.' It was a privilege to participate and to share personal reflections on my own pathways to success as an Asian American general counsel of a Fortune 500 company. I enjoyed interacting with the attendees, whose individual remarks and stories resonated with their colleagues in a powerful and affirming way. The retreat culminated with a reception held at historically significant Girard College in Philadelphia, renowned for its philanthropic educational mission and because it was the focus of a triumphant legal battle permitting its integration in the late 1960s. I'm glad to have been a part of such an invigorating experience and commend Duane Morris for its genuine commitment to diversity." - Wendy Shiba, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, KB Home

"Leading the cable law department at Comcast, I have the opportunity to advance diversity in the legal profession. Every time we choose a law firm to help our company address a major legal issue, diversity is a factor in the decision-making process. So it is vital that our legal services providers align themselves with that same intention. Duane Morris' diversity program is one of the best I have seen. The firm takes mentoring seriously -- all of its diverse lawyers are invited to attend an annual retreat to focus exclusively on leadership, networking and business development. I am proud to have been the keynote speaker at the inaugural Duane Morris Diversity Retreat in 2007. This dynamic weekend provides diverse attorneys with tools they can use throughout the year to hone their skills and address the challenges they face." - Douglas Gaston, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Comcast Cable

"When my colleague and friend Nolan Atkinson launched the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group several years ago, nobody could have predicted that so many law firms and corporations would sign on to its commitment of increasing the number of diverse attorneys in Philadelphia. Under Nolan's leadership, the PDLG grew from 12 members to more than 30, resulting in, among other achievements, opportunities for 25 first-year diverse law students to gain summer internships with leading law firms and companies in the Philadelphia region. Nolan and Duane Morris continue to play an important and leading role in our work." - Michael Kuritzkes, PDLG Board Member and Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Sunoco, Inc.

"Duane Morris has demonstrated a track record of strong leadership and commitment to diversity. I have worked closely with Duane Morris lawyers over the years on numerous legal matters and on issues of diversity as well, including its active participation in, and sponsorship of, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group. These organizations rely on the support of firms like Duane Morris to help maintain a strong national and local network for its members and affiliates. In addition, I have engaged in an active dialogue with Duane Morris and have seen firsthand its leading role in developing new and effective diversity initiatives, hiring and retention practices. I personally appreciate that Duane Morris doesn't just talk about diversity, but actively champions it by its demonstrated leadership, innovations and support." - Don Liu, Corp. Senior Vice President General Counsel and Secretary, Xerox Corporation

"The Southwest Voter Registration Education Project (SVREP) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1974 and dedicated to increasing the political participation of minorities, especially Latinos, in Florida and throughout the United States. For the past five years, SVREP has been working in coalition with community groups in Miami-Dade County, Florida, to protect, among other things, the voting rights of language minorities. During those five years, Duane Morris attorneys have worked hand in hand with the coalition, providing both valuable legal assistance and leadership. Through its work in the coalition, Duane Morris has demonstrated its commitment to the language minority voters of Miami-Dade County and is a testament to the value the firm places on diversity in the legal profession and in our community." - Alvaro Fernandez, Former SVREP Florida Director

"We are thrilled that Duane Morris supports the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc. Through its support of, and leadership in, our organization, Duane Morris demonstrates a commitment to promoting the full participation of black women lawyers in the legal profession. For example, the firm's contributions and individual attorneys' efforts will help BWL continue to raise scholarship funds for deserving second- and third-year African-American law students. Together with Duane Morris, our organization is poised to help BWL members overcome the many obstacles women and minorities face in the legal profession." - Audrea Golding Bitler, President, Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Inc.

"Duane Morris has teamed with my firm, Carter-White & Shaw LLC/Diverse Attorney Recruiters, a black-owned and black-operated legal search firm located in Chestertown, Maryland, to help discover diverse legal talent across the United States. As a nationwide recruiter of attorneys for law firms and corporate legal departments, from my perspective, it is clear that Duane Morris places a high value on recruiting and retaining diverse talent and understands that diverse candidates greatly enhance the firm's capabilities and bottom-line revenue generation." - Ron Jordan, Senior Principal Director, Carter-White & Shaw LLC/Diverse Attorney Recruiters

"Duane Morris has long been a strong supporter of Lincoln University, the nation's first historically black university. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Duane Morris partners, both on our Board of Trustees and in some of our projects that support diverse artists and art education in our community. Duane Morris' leadership and partners clearly make diversity a priority, both inside the firm and beyond." - Ivory Nelson, Ph.D., President, Lincoln University

"We are pleased that Duane Morris has been a consistent sponsor of the Hispanic National Bar Association's annual Convention and Job Fair Program, volunteering its attorneys to serve as convention co-chairs and CLE panelists, at those as well as at other national and regional events. Sponsors help the HNBA improve the study, practice, and administration of justice for all by ensuring the meaningful participation of U.S. Hispanics in the legal profession. Duane Morris' assistance and commitment to our organization is vital." - Victor M. Marquez, President, Hispanic National Bar Association

"Duane Morris has been a valued sponsor of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. I am consistently impressed with the level of dedication the firm demonstrates with regard to diversity. Duane Morris regularly sponsors our annual CLE Expo, a two-day educational conference specifically created for in-house counsel to connect with a diverse group of outside law firms. By supporting this networking event, Duane Morris helps encourage diversity in the legal industry." - Veta T. Richardson, Former Executive Director, Minority Corporate Counsel Association

"Duane Morris seeks out minority-owned vendors as part of its commitment to diversity. The firm turns to my company, A. Pomerantz & Co., for the highest-quality products in both office furniture and related workplace solutions. We started by furnishing one Duane Morris office and have since supplied office furniture to several of its locations." - Garry Maddox, President and Chief Executive Officer, A. Pomerantz & Co.