MoFo Invests in Diversity Manager

Lots of firms — no, all firms — talk about diversity, but Morrison & Foerster has become one of the few to put some salary money where its mouth is; it announced the hiring of its first full-time diversity manager today.

Nadia Jones joins as MoFo’s professional development and diversity manager in New York. Jones was a litigation associate with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, where she was active in the firm’s diversity efforts.

“We thought it would be good to have someone whose primary jurisdiction, whose primary responsibility, was diversity,” said Laurie Hane, co-chairwoman of MoFo’s business practice and the diversity strategy committee.

MoFo isn’t the first San Francisco firm to have a diversity manager. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe has had one for two years, a spokesman said. And, he added, the firm will be honored for its diversity efforts this month by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman hired Tania Shah in October as the firm’s director of corporate social responsibility, a job which includes oversight over diversity, sustainability and pro bono.

Hane said Jones will be particularly focused on things such as attorney training, advancement and job satisfaction particularly related to minorities, who still face unique issues in firms.

“Sometimes, when you’re the only [minority] in the room, it can be a little isolating,” said Hane, who is Asian American.

The search to fill the position began in the fall, she said. It was difficult given the relatively nascent field of potential hires, she said.

“Finding somebody with exactly the qualifications you want is very difficult,” she said, but Jones fit the bill.

—  Niraj Chokshi