Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our identity and reflected not only in the people who work here, but also in the way we approach legal practice.

Because we work daily with clients around the world on matters involving a broad array of legal, business, and social/cultural perspectives, we know the value of being an eclectic group of lawyers. Fostering interactions among lawyers with similar affinities, as well as those with diverse experiences and perspectives, makes us a more welcoming and supportive firm—and one that is better positioned to serve our clients.

Embracing Diversity

• Mansfield Rule Certification
• 100% Corporate Equality Index Score, Human Rights Campaign Foundation
• Top Firm for Diversity, Yale Law Women, 2022
• Top 15 in The American Lawyer’s 2023 Diversity Scorecard
• Top 25 for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Chambers Associate Survey, 2022
• Top 5 for Diversity, Law360, 2023
• Best International Firm: Work-Life Balance, Euromoney’s Women in Business Law Awards, 2023
• 36% of our associates in our U.S. offices are racially/ethnically underrepresented
• 53% of our U.S.-based associates are women
• 11% of our U.S.-based associates identify as LGBTQ+

Cleary Gottlieb actively supports community outreach and training programs focused on diversity issues and partner with leading diversity and inclusion stakeholders inside and outside of the legal industry.

Our Affinity Groups

Cleary’s affinity groups collaborate with firm leadership, organize social activities, conduct continuing legal education programs and raise awareness about topics relevant to the members of their respective groups. Affinity groups are empowered to be active participants in the firm’s efforts to achieve greater inclusion.

We proudly support five affinity groups:

• Black Affinity Group
• East Asian Affinity Group
• Latinx Affinity Group
• LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
• South East Asian-South Asian-Middle Eastern Affinity Group

Cleary Scholars

In support of our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, we have launched Cleary Scholars, a program designed to create opportunity and access for law students to enter and succeed in private legal practice and help mitigate the cost of law school. Cleary Gottlieb welcomes talented law school students to join our diverse community and collaborate with our lawyers on an exciting range of matters across our world class practice, while creating meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients. Learn more about the Cleary Scholars program here.

To learn more about our commitment, recent initiatives, partnerships, and what Cleary attorneys work on, read our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion brochure.