Taylor Dewberry Recognized by Three North Carolina Publications for Championing Diversity and Influence in the Legal Field

A trio of North Carolina business and legal news organizations have honored Smith Anderson’s Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), Taylor Dewberry, for her leadership and influence in the legal and diversity arenas. Triangle Business Journal named Taylor a 2024 Leader in Diversity, a nod to her role in weaving "a diverse fabric into the heart of the local community," while North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and the Mecklenburg Times recognized Taylor as one of North Carolina’s 50 Most Influential Women for her leadership, business acumen, mentoring and community involvement.

Taylor's vision for D&I is rooted in the belief that everyone should feel included and free to be their authentic selves. Her strategic approach to advancing D&I is not only about fostering an inclusive environment within Smith Anderson but also about influencing the broader legal profession and the overall community.

As Smith Anderson's CDO, Taylor works closely with the firm’s Management and D&I Committees and is instrumental in creating and advancing D&I programs and policies to recruit and retain diverse talent, support professional development and foster an inclusive workplace culture that helps the firm’s people feel more invested in their workplaces. Under the leadership of Taylor and the firm’s D&I Committee, Smith Anderson has launched, maintained and improved several notable D&I initiatives, including:

• Achieving 2022-2023 Mansfield Certified Plus status in the midsize law firm category for our actions to attract and develop attorneys from underrepresented groups in the legal profession and for ensuring all talent at the firm has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership. The firm is expected to receive its 2023-2024 certification in September and has pledged to a third certification cycle (2024-2025).
• Offering a highly sought-after Excellence in Diversity 1L Fellowship program for first-year law school students who have demonstrated their commitment to making positive contributions to D&I.
• Maintaining firm affinity groups for women, diverse lawyers and attorneys who champion D&I, with a focus on mentoring and enhancing their support networks.
• Creating a Diversity Mentor Program that pairs associates who value diversity with partner mentors to foster a sense of belonging and assist them in navigating the path to firm partnership.
• Hosting events for women and diverse in-house counsel to connect, support, and facilitate the growth of women and diverse lawyers.
• Supporting non-profit organizations whose missions are rooted in D&I principles.
• Organizing outside diversity-related events such as a 2024 June Pride Run, where more than 50 attorneys and staff came out to support the LGBTQI+ community.

In addition to her CDO role, Taylor is a highly respected attorney in our Employment, Labor and Human Resources practice group. Her practice focuses on employment-related counseling on issues such as discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation, harassment and civil rights violations. Taylor's legal acumen and commitment to justice have earned her a reputation as a formidable advocate for equity in the workplace.

Taylor's impact extends beyond the borders of Smith Anderson. She previously served as the co-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) Young Lawyer’s Division’s diversity and inclusion committee for three years, currently serves as the NCBA Young Lawyer’s Division co-chair of the foundation and development committee and is a member of the NCBA’s Board of Governors.

In 2023, Taylor was North Carolina's representative for the American Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division, where she led the Disaster Legal Services program and ensured the delivery of legal aid to communities affected by natural disasters, addressing inequities exacerbated by such crises.

Taylor has also been the recipient of the American Bar Endowment’s (ABE’s) Outstanding Public Service Award for a "Know Your Rights" project with the North Carolina State University football team that she co-created with a Smith Anderson colleague, Shameka Rolla, where they educated them about their rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

The list of the 2024 TBJ Leaders in Diversity honorees can be viewed here. The 50 Most Influential Women list can be viewed here.