Diversity & Inclusion

Understanding that it is the diverse ideas and contributions of our people that drives us to be an innovative, responsive and dynamic law firm, Parsons Behle & Latimer strives each day to cultivate an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion at every level. We celebrate that in this environment, divergent viewpoints and life experiences combine to allow us to effectively solve our clients’ legal challenges while creating opportunities for all within our firm to grow and prosper.

Parsons Behle & Latimer's Attorneys of Color Affinity Group (AOC) led by Parsons' attorney Jazmynn Pok provides support to attorneys of color and a pathway to leadership within the firm and within our local communities. AOC members meet regularly to identify needed areas of support; concerns to be addressed with the firm's Board of Directors; and feedback from AOC group members. The AOC group also meets with leaders of color within their communities and partners with local universities to mentor and provide support for law students of color as they enter the legal profession. Parsons' leadership fully supports Parsons' AOC group as a vital resource to encourage attorneys of color to network, seek and provide needed support for a dynamic and rewarding career. 

Parsons’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) committee is chaired by Nicole Farrell, chief people officer. The inclusive DE&I committee consists of a diverse group of shareholders, associates and business professionals. The committee is responsible for leading ongoing diversity and inclusion initiatives within the firm; identifying future initiatives that will benefit the firm and by extension, our clients; providing education for firm members and leadership; and identifying DE&I organizations with whom to partner in each of our seven office locations. 

Parsons actively recruits to obtain an applicant pool of candidates from diverse backgrounds with a breadth of experience from shareholders to professional staff. We aim to create an equitable and supportive environment in which people of every gender, age, race, religion, disability, sexual preference and gender identity, and military veterans can succeed. In other outreach efforts, shareholders and associates donate their time and talents as adjunct professors, mentors and advisors to an inclusive group of law students in all geographic areas.

With an emphasis on equity, Parsons’ attorneys dedicate their expertise to a wide range of community boards and committees where they can gain a clear understanding of diversity issues within our community and use their talents to create solutions. A small sampling of these include: 

• Asian Bar Association
• Disability Law Center
• Equality Utah
• Guadalupe School
• Idaho Military Legal Alliance (IMLA)
• Idaho Women Lawyers Association
• Legal Aid Society
• LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah
• Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association
• Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission, District 5
• Tribal Partnership with Influence Int’l
• Utah Minority Bar Association
• Utah Racial Equity in Policing
• Utah State Bar Indian Law Section
• Watch Homeless Healthcare
• Women Lawyers of Utah ... and more

Utah Center for Legal Inclusion 

Parsons is a cofounding member and financial investor of the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) and, in 2020, achieved UCLI certification, which it has maintained every year since. Our partnership with UCLI provides the firm with training and the necessary tools to address existing and future hiring and retention; and advancement and inclusion challenges for women and other diverse attorneys and professionals. UCLI is committed to inspiring and empowering students with diverse backgrounds to pursue legal education and careers. It’s Community Outreach Committee builds partnerships with local businesses and Chambers of Commerce to raise awareness and build support for legal inclusion efforts. One of its key missions is to support and encourage professional advancement for diverse attorneys. 

2024 State Bar of Nevada Partner - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

For 2024, Parsons Behle & Latimer's Reno office has been recognized as a State Bar Partner in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. The State Bar of Nevada recognizes the commitment that law firms and legal organizations have made to incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in their practices. The qualifying criteria that Parsons accomplished for this recognition includes: actively recruiting diverse applicants through affinity Bar associations; establishing one or more committees focused on empowering women and minorities to advance into leadership positions; celebrating historical milestones for minorities through guest speakers, catering traditional food from local eateries owned by diverse entrepreneurs or hosting roundtable discussions on the significance of these days in the legal profession; providing all new hires with a mentor (not a supervising attorney) responsible for encouraging participation in firm events and who can provide guidance about firm culture; adopting flexible work arrangements, such as alternate works schedules and job shares to address the diverse individual needs of attorneys and staff; hosting coaching sessions/workshops on topics such as DEI awareness, recognizing unconscious bias or having difficult conversations.