US civil rights agency targets 20 big law firms with demand for DEI data [View all]

Source: Reuters

The head of the U.S. agency that enforces laws banning workplace discrimination on Monday warned 20 major law firms that their employment policies meant to boost diversity, equity and inclusion may be illegal

The letters, from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's acting chair, Andrea Lucas, seek detailed information on DEI programs at the firms, some of which have ties to President Donald Trump's political opponents or have challenged his policies in court.

Lucas said some of the firms had publicly touted their commitment to diversifying their workforces and at least two had adopted explicit numerical goals for recruiting lawyers based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity.

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Lucas also asked for the name, sex and race of every lawyer who has worked at or applied for a job at the firms since 2019 and whether each one participated in diversity programs or "affinity groups." She asked for some of the information in a "searchable Excel spreadsheet."

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-civil-rights-agency-warns-law-firms-over-workplace-dei-policies-2025-03-17/