DIVERSEABILITY AFFINITY GROUP
Holland & Knight Launches DiverseAbility Affinity Group, the Firm’s 8th Such Initiative “Fear of discrimination due to the negative stigmas associated with having a disability has caused many in the legal profession to suffer in silence. Through launching the DiverseAbility Affinity Group, Holland & Knight is confronting the stigmas head-on by providing a welcoming, supportive and understanding environment for those at the firm who are affected by a disability,” Michelle said.
Attorney Michelle DeVos, who founded the DiverseAbility Affinity Group, discusses her struggles with Asperger’s syndrome and living with a disability.
Holland & Knight has established a DiverseAbility Affinity Group as part of the firm’s efforts to further develop a culture where all talented individuals – including those traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession – can have, and can see, a path to long-term success. This is the firm’s eighth affinity group. The group is chaired by Staff Attorney Michelle DeVos (MIA) and co-chaired by Partner Daniel Sylvester (CHI) and Practice Development Manager John Eix (DFW). Each of these individuals has a Michelle personal stake in helping to promote equity DeVos for these individuals. Michelle, who initially proposed and subsequently founded the DiverseAbility Affinity Group, has Asperger’s syndrome and recently discussed her efforts to overcome the struggles associated with living with a disability. Daniel John has two sons with autism and helped Sylvester establish the nonPareil Institute to provide hope for his children and other families. Dan also serves as the business partnership chair for the Holland & Knight’s Veterans Group and is active assisting veterans and their families facing the same issues that he handles daily helping his wife, a U.S. Army veteran who is 100 percent disabled from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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The DiverseAbility Affinity Group’s mission is to focus on attracting, supporting and promoting the firm’s attorneys and staff affected by disabilities of all types – physical and mental – by helping to maintain an environment that is inclusive, challenging and supportive to maximize both personal and career success. Its main goals are to support and enhance the professional, personal and career development of attorneys and staff affected by disabilities; encourage retention and promotion of attorneys and staff with disabilities; and encourage the recruitment and hiring of talented attorneys and staff with disabilities. The DiverseAbility Affinity Group joins seven other initiatives by the firm to advance specific minority and other underrepresented groups in the legal profession. These are the Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Hispanic, LGBTQ and Native American Affinity Groups, as well as the Women’s Initiative and the Veterans Group. If you are interested in learning more about the DiverseAbility Affinity Group, please contact the leadership team.
