Indianapolis – Barnes & Thornburg LLP has announced that Dawn Rosemond, a litigation partner in its Fort Wayne office, has been named Director of Diversity, Professional Development and Inclusion. Rosemond has been with Barnes & Thornburg for 20 years, joining as an associate in 1996. She has been a partner since 2005.
In her new role, Rosemond will be charged with elevating and strengthening the firm’s diversity and inclusion platform through the ongoing development, inclusion and promotion of diverse legal talent. She will also serve as co-chair of the firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Rosemond, who will remain a partner with the firm, will lead diversity and inclusion initiatives such as training and strategic programming. The firm previously had employed an administrative level director in charge of diversity and legal recruitment.
“While the firm has been making strides in the right direction for years, we also recognize that the legal climate and client needs continue to evolve,” said Rosemond. “By placing a deliberate focus on creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, where we empower and build all of our talent, we provide greater career satisfaction. That improves the legal service being delivered to our clients and overall enhances the firm’s performance, which is beneficial for everyone.”
Rosemond will work closely with firm leadership to execute Barnes & Thornburg’s diversity and inclusion efforts in the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse talent and the development of diverse leadership within the firm.
“As a firm, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is based around action and this strategic move helps align the business of diversity with the business of this firm,” said Robert T. Grand, Managing Partner of Barnes & Thornburg. “The legal and client service experience that Dawn brings partnered with her passion for and leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives makes her the perfect person for this role.”
Rosemond is a former appointee to the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness. She practices in commercial litigation and is a member of Barnes & Thornburg’s Pro Bono Committee and the Legal Personnel Administration Committee and an administrator for the Litigation Department. In the Fort Wayne community, she currently serves on the boards of Visit Fort Wayne, the Downtown Development Trust, and Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.
A published author (Boss Presence), frequent speaker on leadership and personal development, and youth mentor, Rosemond is also an Indiana Torchbearer Award recipient, was named as one of the most influential African-Americans in Northeast Indiana by INK Magazine, has been listed in Indiana Super Lawyers, and was named as one of the "Top Attorneys - Business Litigation (Indiana)" in the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers. She is also the 2015-16 recipient of the ACBA Niemann Citation for Excellence and Professionalism which is presented to attorneys who demonstrate “distinguished legal work, professionalism, public service and leadership.”
Rosemond graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign in 1996. She is a member of the National, American and Allen County Bar associations.
With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from 13 offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Delaware, Indiana, Los Angeles, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter at @BTLawNews.
In her new role, Rosemond will be charged with elevating and strengthening the firm’s diversity and inclusion platform through the ongoing development, inclusion and promotion of diverse legal talent. She will also serve as co-chair of the firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Rosemond, who will remain a partner with the firm, will lead diversity and inclusion initiatives such as training and strategic programming. The firm previously had employed an administrative level director in charge of diversity and legal recruitment.
“While the firm has been making strides in the right direction for years, we also recognize that the legal climate and client needs continue to evolve,” said Rosemond. “By placing a deliberate focus on creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, where we empower and build all of our talent, we provide greater career satisfaction. That improves the legal service being delivered to our clients and overall enhances the firm’s performance, which is beneficial for everyone.”
Rosemond will work closely with firm leadership to execute Barnes & Thornburg’s diversity and inclusion efforts in the recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse talent and the development of diverse leadership within the firm.
“As a firm, our commitment to diversity and inclusion is based around action and this strategic move helps align the business of diversity with the business of this firm,” said Robert T. Grand, Managing Partner of Barnes & Thornburg. “The legal and client service experience that Dawn brings partnered with her passion for and leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives makes her the perfect person for this role.”
Rosemond is a former appointee to the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness. She practices in commercial litigation and is a member of Barnes & Thornburg’s Pro Bono Committee and the Legal Personnel Administration Committee and an administrator for the Litigation Department. In the Fort Wayne community, she currently serves on the boards of Visit Fort Wayne, the Downtown Development Trust, and Greater Fort Wayne, Inc.
A published author (Boss Presence), frequent speaker on leadership and personal development, and youth mentor, Rosemond is also an Indiana Torchbearer Award recipient, was named as one of the most influential African-Americans in Northeast Indiana by INK Magazine, has been listed in Indiana Super Lawyers, and was named as one of the "Top Attorneys - Business Litigation (Indiana)" in the Corporate Counsel Edition of Super Lawyers. She is also the 2015-16 recipient of the ACBA Niemann Citation for Excellence and Professionalism which is presented to attorneys who demonstrate “distinguished legal work, professionalism, public service and leadership.”
Rosemond graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign in 1996. She is a member of the National, American and Allen County Bar associations.
With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from 13 offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Delaware, Indiana, Los Angeles, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter at @BTLawNews.
