At Chartwell Law, we value the experiences and viewpoints of all our attorneys and staff. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion foster both innovation and a better understanding of ourselves and our clients.
As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, this week we feature Tyrra Walker from our Atlanta office. Tyrra shares her views on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in her personal and professional life.
Is there a specific experience or Black figure you were influenced by during your childhood?
My mother and grandmother have always been my guiding lights, who taught me about the inherent power of being a Black woman. This principle was amplified when I decided to attend Spelman College, a historically Black college in Atlanta, Georgia. During my college matriculation, I was introduced to the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys who hosted an on-campus event for students where they demystified many myths about law school and the legal profession. After attending this event, I knew I wanted to become a lawyer, and more importantly, I knew that I was capable of becoming a successful lawyer.
How do you view the importance of diversity and inclusion in today’s workplace?
I believe diversity, equity, and inclusion is the critical ingredient for any successful work environment. In the legal profession, it is imperative to recognize the value that diversity of thought and diversity of experience can add to cultivating innovative legal strategies. To achieve this, law firms must prioritize recruiting, hiring, and retaining diverse attorneys.
What diversity and inclusion changes would you like to see in the future of the legal industry?
I would love to see an increase in the number of Black female equity partners and shareholders at law firms. As it stands, Black women are gravely underrepresented in law firm partnerships in general – and are even more rarely included in the category of partners or shareholders with financial stake in the law firm. Of course, I aspire to be a part of this increase.
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