Firm Commitment to Diversity Through Employment: Past and Present
While being able to employ and retain a diverse workforce and talent should be part of every firm’s goal, Kightlinger & Gray, stands proudly behind our history of having one of the first female Partners in Indiana, Joan Irick, and one of the first female Partners named to Management, Ginny Peterson. Currently, the Firm is proud to be able to have a 1/3 diversity ratio in the Partners rank.
Kightlinger & Gray continues this undertaking by being involved in multiple diversity legal groups and affiliations including groups such as NAWL (National Association of Women Lawyers), and APABA and IAPABA (Asian Pacific American Bar Association & Indiana Asian Pacific American Bar Association).
Community Involvement
Part of Kightlinger & Gray’s commitment includes activity in local, regional and national events. In the last 12 months, the Firm has been able to be involved with and support Lambda Legal, APABA/IAPABA, Indiana MINORITY BUSINESS Magazine, Indiana Latino Expo, multiple IU Law School diversity law student associations (The Hispanic Law Society, The Black Law Students Association & The Asian Law Students Association). 
Additionally, Kightlinger & Gray’s involvement with the Southwest Indiana Chamber’s Diverse Business Alliance, and Latino Chamber, including a sponsorship of a scholarship through the Latino Chamber help ensure that our Firm is supporting positive initiatives across the region.
KIGHTLINGER & GRAY’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Kightlinger & Gray, LLP is committed to a culture of excellence and collegiality. We respect, value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that diversity, inclusion and the acceptance of different perspectives enhance our ability to provide the best services to our clients and to create a supportive environment for our personnel by providing all persons with opportunities to achieve their full potential and individual success. To that end, we strive to cultivate and maintain talented individuals of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints in order to fulfill this commitment. Kightlinger & Gray, through the works of the Diversity Committee, looks for continued opportunities to support and foster inclusion and diversity within our firm.
Under this statement we look to the following definitions:
Diversity: the quality of being different or unique at the individual or group level. This term includes age; ethnicity; gender; gender identity; language differences; nationality; parental status; physical, mental and developmental abilities; race; religion; sexual orientation; skin color; socio-economic status; the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, experiences and culture—and more.
Inclusion: a plan or action to expand and enhance diversity in an organization. Diversity always exists in social systems. Inclusion, on the other hand, must be created. In order to enhance diversity, an environment must be created where people feel accepted, supported, listened to and able to do their personal best.
Through this commitment, Kightlinger & Gray engages in community diversity events, organizations and causes for the betterment of all.
The Kightlinger & Gray Diversity & Inclusion Committee is guided by Partners and supported by Administration, Human Resources, and Marketing. Merrillville Partner, Laura Gard serves on the DRI committees for Diversity and Inclusion, and Women in Law, Marketing.
