“Diversity in our firm is like a collaboration of race, socio-economics, gender, age and beliefs — all working toward one common goal. All of the different viewpoints we bring to the table ensure that our clients get the best thinking, the best ideas for solving their particular problems.“
— Janine Smith

“Diversity, from the mailroom to the boardroom, gives any organization a competitive advantage wherever it seeks to accomplish its corporate mission.“
— Kermit Kendrick

For more information on diversity at Burr & Forman, click here to read our Diversity Brochure [PDF]

Our Diversity

At Burr & Forman, diversity is an important issue for one simple reason: a variety of opinions makes our firm better; it helps us more effectively serve our clients.

If our opinions are formed by our experiences, then we logically get a broader perspective, and a greater range of views when we add people from differing backgrounds.

It is important to note that we don’t add lawyers just to increase our percentages. We are always on the lookout for talented people from diverse backgrounds in an effort to enhance our client's goals.

Our dedication to diversity is demonstrated by our firm's actions and the leadership roles our attorneys and other professionals undertake to promote diversity in the legal profession. Firm professionals have participated and/or served in leadership positions that include:

• 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile
• Advisory Board for the Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association
• AL State Bar, Young Lawyers Section Minority Pre-Law Conference
• American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry Sub-Committee on Diversity
• Atlanta Women's Network
• Black Law Student Association of University of Alabama
• Business Law Section of the Florida Bar Membership and Diversity Committee
• Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (CFAWL)
• Central Florida Gay and Lesbian Law Association
• DRI Diversity for Success Seminar Steering Committee
• First Female Chief Diversity Officer of Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TIPS)
• First Female President of American College of Mortgage Attorneys (ACMA)
• Gate City Bar Association
• Georgia Association of Women Lawyers
• Girls Inc. of Central Alabama Board of Directors
• Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association
• International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation
• Large Law Firm Liaison for the DRI Diversity Committee
• Lawyers Association for Women (L.A.W.) in Nashville, Tennessee
• Magic City Bar Association
• Mobile Bar Diversity Task Force
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) Conference
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s (NAPABA) Southeast Alternative Regional Governor
• National Association of Professional Women
• National Bar Association
• National LGBT Bar Association Lavender Law Conference and Career Fair, Los Angeles
• NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction)
• NBA Commercial Law Section
• Other diversity initiatives organized by state and local bar associations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee
• The South Regions Minority Supplier Development Council
• The Women's Network
• University of Alabama Birmingham Minority Health Research Center
• Winter Park Executive Women's Monthly Luncheon Meetings
• Women Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association

Lastly, Burr & Forman continues its diversity commitment through scholarships, sponsorships and participation in job fairs and clerkship programs for diverse law students. A sample listing is noted below.

• Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Diversity Summit
• Atlanta Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program
• Nashville Bar Association Minority Clerkship Program
• Pre-Law Program
• Burr & Forman LLP Annual Diversity Scholarship, University of Alabama School of Law
• A. Brand Walton, Jr. Scholarship, University of Alabama School of Law
• Burr & Forman LLP Endowed Scholarship, University of Alabama School of Law

Diversity Committee

Kermit Kendrick // Partner

Transportation, Financial Services

Rik Tozzi // Partner

Financial Services Litigation , Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation, Securities Litigation, Insurance Litigation

Lawrence Ahern // Partner

Alternative and Renewable Energy, Creditors' Rights, Bankruptcy

Abbye Alexander // Associate

Commercial Litigation, Torts, Mortgage

Ashley Hattaway // Partner

Labor & Employment, Commercial Litigation

Eric Hatten // Partner

Financial Services

Jessica K. Hew // Partner

Appellate, Condominium Law...

Kwende B. Jones // Partner

Financial Services, Commercial Litigation

Forrest Latta // Partner

Litigation, Insurance Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability, Telecommunications & Media

Mike Lucas // Partner

Labor & Employment

Darlene T. Marsh // Partner

Alternative and Renewable Energy, Environmental & Land Use...

Janine Smith // Partner

Creditors' Rights, Bankruptcy

Peter Spanos // Partner

Labor & Employment

Ricardo Woods // Partner

Employee Benefits, Labor & Employment, Insurance Litigation

Diversity Statement

Burr & Forman LLP is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing and promoting lawyers and staff without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.

We recognize that our ability to serve our clients is strengthened by establishing a diverse workforce in which differences are accepted and valued on an inclusive basis.

Burr & Forman LLP desires to foster a multi-cultured atmosphere that provides a cooperative work environment where everyone is treated with mutual respect, trust and understanding, and where everyone can reach their full potential. The firm values the knowledge and talents of a multicultural team in order to meet and exceed individual and business goals, and client expectations.