Smith Anderson’s Commitment to D&I Earns “Aspire Award” From Lawyers of Color

Lawyers of Color, a nonprofit devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities, has presented Smith Anderson with its annual Aspire Award in recognition of its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Smith Anderson’s Chief Diversity Officer Taylor Dewberry accepted the award on behalf of the firm at a reception in Washington, D.C. on May 17, 2023. Taylor joined representatives from other firms that received the Aspire Award, which required meeting at least two of the three following criteria:

• Have at least one staff member with the word “equity,” “diversity,” or “inclusion” in their title;
• Have at least one attorney of color who is a managing partner, executive/management committee member, or practice group head; and
• Have at least 4 percent Black attorneys.

“I had such a great time speaking with my fellow DEI leaders about the future of DEI and best practices,” Taylor said. “I am grateful to Lawyers of Color for acknowledging the firms and DEI professionals who are on the forefront of change.”

The Aspire Award is the latest in a series of awards recognizing Smith Anderson’s commitment to D&I. Triangle Business Journal named our firm one of its 2022 Leaders in Diversity award winners and named Management Committee Chair Amy Batten and Diversity & Inclusion Committee co-chair Sharita Whitaker to its 2022 and 2023 classes of Women in Business list, respectively. The Diversity Movement honored Smith Anderson as one of five East Coast law firms that "Do it Right" in leading and advancing diversity and inclusion, not just in the legal profession, but throughout the community. Smith Anderson also received the Wake County Bar Association’s inaugural Equity Champion award and the Diversity & Inclusion award from North Carolina and South Carolina Lawyers Weekly.