Diversity: Diversity Initiative

Diversity

MTO’s Diversity Initiative

With the leadership of the firm’s managing partner and policy committee, MTO has redoubled its diversity and inclusion efforts. At a time when many of our peer firms are slashing funding for diversity programs, the firm hired a consultant to assess diversity and assist us in formalizing our diversity efforts to make them more strategic and effective.

MTO has an active Diversity Committee that includes Sandra Seville-Jones, the firm’s managing partner. In 2009, the firm adopted a Diversity Strategic Plan and launched several new initiatives to support diversity and inclusion, including, among other things, an on-site childcare center, outreach to law schools, and a revamped mentoring program that supports integration, career development, parental leave and affinity mentorships. Additionally, we continue to support the many diversity-related programs and initiatives that were already in place at the time we adopted the plan.

A key component of the plan is ensuring that all attorneys in the firm are informed and have opportunities to engage in diversity-related efforts. For example, the plan by design is decentralized, so that diversity and inclusion is not just the responsibility of the Diversity Committee. Thus, the Recruiting Committee is responsible for conducting outreach to diverse recruits and bringing a diverse talent pool in to interview. Similarly, the Development and Retention Committee is responsible for overseeing mentoring programs designed to help retain and integrate attorneys. Liaisons from the Diversity Committee work with other committees to ensure that the diversity and inclusion initiatives under their purview are implemented, and to act as a resource to those committees. 

Another important component of the plan is ensuring that all attorneys can access information about diversity and inclusion. The plan calls for the publication of a periodic diversity report to be distributed to all attorneys. We also hold firm-wide meetings to discuss diversity-related issues. 

Spotlight

MTO Fellows
MTO Fellows Program: Innovative Diversity Outreach

Launched in 2007, the MTO Fellows Program offers full-time positions in the firm’s Los Angeles office to students of diverse backgrounds who have recently graduated from college and plan to attend law school. Fellows work closely with attorneys and paralegals, participate in a wide range of educational activities outside the firm, and receive a stipend to take an LSAT preparation course.

“The strength of the MTO Fellows Program lies in the independent nature of the fellows, who are free to use this opportunity to immerse themselves in areas of law about which they are most passionate.” - MTO Fellow Farida Ali.

“As someone who has faced and overcome many adversities in life, the MTO Fellows Program has reinforced in me the belief that with hard work and perseverance, the sky is the limit, regardless of who you are or where you come from.” - MTO Fellow Azure'De Wilkins.

“I became an MTO Fellow to gain a more holistic understanding of the law, the way it is practiced and of the people who practice it. My proudest moment has been testifying at arbitration and helping secure damages for our client.” MTO Fellow Justin Iwata.