"Diversity is a core value at V&E. Our Management Committee and partners believe that it is an integral part of who we are and what we do — as individuals, as lawyers, as a law firm, and as citizens of our community." Joe Dilg, Managing Partner and Diversity Committee Chair (Learn more about Joe Dilg)

Opportunity and Responsibility
As one of the world's largest international law firms, Vinson & Elkins has both an extraordinary opportunity and a special responsibility to maintain a culture that nurtures diverse interests, backgrounds, and perspectives — inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender/gender-identity, age, sexual orientation, religion, or physical handicap. At V&E diversity is more than just an aspiration; it is a guiding principle that propels us into the future.V&E is honored that our efforts and commitment have earned us widespread recognition, including:

• Vault top 20 Best Law Firms for Diversity overall and top 10 firm for women, 2011
• Working Mother magazine/Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, 50 Best Law Firms for Women, 2008 and 2009
• MCCA’s Thomas L. Sager Award for the South/Southwest Region, 2008 and 2009
• Anti-Defamation League’s Community of Respect, 2008, 2009, and 2010
• Corporate Equality Index, Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality – 100% Score, 2009 and 2010

Diversity enhances our connection to the rapidly changing global market, drives innovation in the way we practice law and service clients, and fuels the investments we make as a firm in the communities where we live and work. Our commitment to promoting and encouraging diversity is illustrated by policies, initiatives, and programs established within V&E, such as firm-supported organic Affinity Groups. V&E as a firm and individual lawyers make substantial investments of time, money, and resources to promote diversity and inclusion and better our communities and profession. Learn more about our programs and committees that reinforce our efforts:

• V&E Fellowships
• V&E Scholars
• Pro Bono
• Community Outreach
• Diversity Committee
• Women’s Career Development Council
• Attorney Training and Development

"Diversity is more than a word, a concept, a goal, or a statistic. You must live it, practice it and be an active change agent to make diversity a reality. At Vinson & Elkins, we believe that diversity is achieved through a holistic approach that becomes integrated into every aspect of the firm, its administration and community outreach. This will make us stronger, better lawyers, and, more importantly, allow us to provide our clients with continued excellence in legal representation."  Barron F. Wallace, Partner, Management Committee Member (Learn more about Barron Wallace)

Diversity and Inclusion Connect Us to the World
Diversity gives us a competitive edge in a global marketplace where clients demand broader perspectives and talented lawyers with diverse backgrounds. Our diversity enables us to provide superior service to those clients while also creating an inclusive work environment.

Diversity and Inclusion Enrich Our Insights and Ability to Innovate
Servicing clients in today's global business environment requires an unprecedented level of talent and skill. Our diversity enables us to better understand and appreciate the complexity of our clients' legal needs, and it expands the perspectives from which we can seek innovative approaches to solving our clients' legal challenges.

Diversity and Inclusion Fuel the Ways in Which We Invest in Our Communities
Investment in diversity and inclusion at V&E does not stop at the doors to our offices; it carries over into all of our communities. As a global law firm, we are as connected to the communities around us as we are to our clients. In fact, V&E lawyers participate on more than 300 charitable, educational, governmental, and professional organizations. By joining together, we use our collective resources, skills, and creativity to better our communities in a meaningful way.