ATLANTA – The State Bar of Georgia has named Barnes & Thornburg and Atlanta Office Managing Partner John T.L. Koenig as recipients of the 2022 Commitment to Equality Award.
The award recognizes judges and lawyers who have shown a commitment to providing opportunities that foster a more diverse legal profession for members of underrepresented groups. It also recognizes legal employers that, over the course of a decade or more, have demonstrated outstanding commitment to promoting diversity within their ranks. Koenig and the firm were recognized at a May 19 ceremony at the State Bar’s headquarters in Atlanta.
Barnes & Thornburg has been intentional in its commitment to building and sustaining an inclusive culture made up of individuals of all backgrounds through conscious programming, engaged sponsorship and external philanthropic investments.
Likewise, Koenig, a partner in the firm’s national Labor and Employment Law practice, has personally devoted time and energy to building a welcoming environment for people from all cultures and backgrounds. The firm recognized his efforts in 2021 with the Camille Conway Diversity Award, which is “given annually to a Barnes & Thornburg teammate who most typifies the staunch commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are part of the firm’s long-standing core values, fully and deliberately integrated into the way we do business,” said Koenig. “I am excited to accept this award on behalf of all my teammates who make this a priority in everything we do on behalf of our clients, colleagues and the community.”
Barnes & Thornburg has made great strides with its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In recent years, the firm has increased its commitment, including with the creation of the Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation. Through conscious programming, engaged sponsorship and the continual internal and external investment of time, talent and resources, the firm is building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and open culture made up of accomplished individuals of all backgrounds.
With more than 700 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, New York, Ohio, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.
