IN ACTION Closing the Employment Gap - Creating Career Pathways for Neurodiverse Individuals - Stradley Ronon
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STRADLEY RONON’S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSIT Y AND INCLUSION
IN ACTION
ISSUE III
Closing the Employment Gap – Creating Career
Pathways for Neurodiverse Individuals
Stradley Ronon
highlights
The Precisionists,
Inc. and its
nonprofit arm,
The Precision
Institute,
headquartered
in Wilmington,
Delaware, which
prepares and trains
neurodiverse
individuals for
jobs in the
technology field.
Shown (left) is a
Precision Institute
assessment class.
T
oday, one in 54 people is on … .” As a result, Matt’s many talents
the autism spectrum. While were not being utilized, and his skills
these neurodiverse individuals were going unused. That is until he
offer various skills and abilities to landed at The Precision Institute (TPI),
businesses and communities – visual a benefit corporation that creates jobs
and logical thinking, evidence-based for individuals across a broad range of
decision-making, energy and passion, disabilities. The company is focused
curiosity, and problem-solving – 80% on working with those on the autism
of Americans with autism are either spectrum and disabled veterans and
unemployed or underemployed. The creating 10,000 jobs for people with
Matt N. and Ernie Dianastasis at the
reason for this striking figure is not disabilities by 2025.
Neurodiversity at Work event hosted by The
that these individuals are unqualified Graham Group in Philadelphia in 2019.
for employment; it is because the From Concept to Inception
typical process to gain employment Matt N. is one such neurodiverse After leading one of the largest
puts neurodiverse candidates at a individual who had trouble finding information technology companies in
disadvantage. Put simply, traditional employment due to difficulty with, for Delaware, Ernie Dianastasis, founder
hiring and interview practices can example, forming social relationships, and CEO of TPI, piloted the idea of
negatively impact neurodiverse job conveying emotions or making eye the program in 2016. His vision was
candidates because many of these contact. “After I got my degrees, I to employ individuals who have often
individuals do not perform well in couldn’t land a job, and in four years of been overlooked by the corporate
traditional job interviews. job searching, only had one interview continued on page 5
Stradley Ronon | www.stradley.com/diversity | Pennsylvania | Washington, DC | New York | New Jersey | Illinois | Delaware
IN FOCUS: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Stradley
Ronon hosted an external event with clients and the Stradley
community, “The Intersection of Activism & the Law – A
Conversation With Simon Tam,” which took place on May
11 with moderators Deborah Hong and Brian Seaman.
Simon Tam is an author, musician and speaker and is the
founder of The Slants and The Slants Foundation. He found
himself thrust into the spotlight when his all-Asian American
rock band, The Slants, was denied a trademark for its name
because it was considered “disparaging” to Asian Americans.
At this presentation, Simon Tam shared the story of how his In just the past year, Wednesday,
there have April been 7more than 3,800
trademark battle took him all the way to the U.S. Supreme 12–1:30 p.m. EDT (via Zoom)
recorded incidents of racially motivated hate crimes
Court, how he unexpectedly became a racial justice activist against
Please join us for the third installment of this series designed to foster honest
this community
conversations about inclusion and – equity
an increase of more
and how to identify and combat than 150%
institutional racism.
and how he dedicated his life to expanding civil liberties compared with the year before. To address the remarkable
During the session, we will address the following issues:
for diverse people across the nation. Simon was joined by rise, Stradley
• Why the long Ronon hosted
history of violence and the third installment
discrimination of our
against Asian Americans
guitarist Joe X. Jiang, a musician and filmmaker, who serves Understanding Inclusivity series, which was titled “Unpacking
in the United States is widely unknown;
• Why there has been a sharp increase in violence against Asian Americans
as the vice chair at The Slants Foundation. the Riseinin theAnti-Asian
last year; and Violence.” This session was designed to
foster •honest conversations
Why it is challenging to establish that
Asian Americans is racially motivated.
aboutthe sharp the riseinin
increase recorded
violence against incidents
of racially motivated
In preparation, hatethat
we recommend crimes
you listen against members
to a short, 25-minute podcast of the Asian
released last week by the New York Times, which provides invaluable
American andabout
information Pacific Islander
this violence’s historycommunity.
and current status. It The
can be event
accessedtook
by clicking here.
place on April 7 and was attended by 70 members of the firm,
including attorneys, business professionals and firm leaders.
Space is limited, so please respond by April 5 to reserve your spot. Confirmed registrants will receive
a calendar invitation with a Zoom link before the event. For non-exempt business professionals,
please clock out for lunch before the session begins. HR will make any adjustments to your time card
that exceed your one-hour lunch break — there is no need to make-up the time.
If you have any questions, contact Heather Godley at ext. 8768. You may also email the committee
THE ACT OF CLAIMING AN IDENTITY CAN
members at DiversityInclusion@stradley.com.
Diversity & Inclusion Town Hall Committee
BE TRANSFORMATIONAL. IT CAN
PROVIDE HEALING AND EMPOWERMENT.
SIMON TAM JOE X. JIANG — SIMON TAM
WHAT WE’VE DONE RECENTLY CPR DIVERSITY PLEDGE
The firm is pleased to announce it
has joined members of the legal and
corporate communities to further its
commitment to support the inclusion
of diverse mediators and arbitrators
through the signing of the International
Institute for Conflict Prevention &
Resolution’s (CPR) Diversity Pledge. Law
firm signatories to the pledge agree
to discuss the value of diversity and
inclusion among those who mediate and
arbitrate client disputes.
Senior counsel at Stradley Ronon and
member of CPR’s National Panel of
Distinguished Neutrals Bennett G.
Picker said, “By encouraging law firms,
corporations and CPR to take this action,
Celebrated Black History Month by highlighting people and organizations “Making we can help push the proverbial needle
History Today” through impactful grassroots activities, community engagement and and create a pipeline of diverse neutrals,
inclusivity efforts. Among those individuals and organizations spotlighted were 1. including women, persons of color,
Malcolm Kenyatta, 2. Terrill Haigler, 3. Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization members of the LGBTQ community and
and 4. Ala Stanford, M.D. disabled persons.”
2 • D & I In Action • Issue III
STRADLEY RONON CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH – THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIDE FLAG
T
he first known Pride flag – sewn to the disease. Some flags contain of the broader queer community. We
by Gilbert Baker – debuted at the stars from the U.S. flag with the are not centralized; we have no leader;
the June 1978 San Francisco Gay six rainbow stripes in place of the and our understanding of the world,
Freedom Day Parade. Baker was urged 13 red and white stripes. And South ourselves and each other is constantly
by Harvey Milk, an early gay activist African activists blended the traditional evolving. While many people recognize
and firebrand, to construct a flag to rainbow flag with the South African only the six-stripe rainbow flag because
symbolize the value and dignity of what national flag. it is anchored in their own experience,
was then called “the gay community.” the evolution of Pride flags encourages
In just the past four years, there have all of us to keep examining who we are,
The first iteration of the flag contained been two major changes to the flag, what we stand for and what work still
eight stripes, each a separate color of both of which reflect the desire of the needs to be done.
the rainbow plus hot pink. Demand for queer community to become more
flags increased after Milk’s assassination inclusive. First, during Pride Month
in November 1978, and hot pink was 2017, the city of Philadelphia unveiled ABOUT THE AUTHOR
removed due to the unavailability a rainbow flag with black and brown
of fabric in that color. The following stripes added to the traditional six to
year, the San Francisco Pride parade represent people of color in the queer
organizers removed another stripe. community, whose voices and concerns
The six-stripe version, with each stripe were often disregarded. This flag is
having a separate meaning, would shown in image B.
become the historical standard of the
Pride flag for the next several decades. And even more recently, the flag
This flag is shown in image A. evolved once again to embrace trans
members of the community through
There have always been variations the inclusion of light blue, pink and
of the Pride flag, with each version white stripes. These stripes reflect Kevin Aldridge is a
reflecting our history while striving the transgender Pride flag created by
paralegal in the Litigation
for increased awareness of our diverse Monica Helms in 1999. This flag is shown
community. For example, during the in image C.
Department. He lives in
height of the AIDS epidemic, some South Philly with his fiancé
flags were made with a black stripe to The mutability of Pride flags is a and their three cats.
memorialize those who succumbed testament to the strength and diversity
A. The “original” Pride Flag
by Gilbert Baker: red (life), C. The 2019 flag, which
B. T he 2017 flag, which
orange (healing), yellow includes the stripes
reflects a more inclusive
(sunlight), green (nature), blue representing the trans
vision of pride.
(serenity) and purple (spirit). community.
3 • D & I In Action • Issue III
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2021 DIVERSITY
FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENT
Shareda Coleman engagement, philanthropy and
Selected to Serve education events to further the
on Six-Person progress of women who have chosen STRADLEY RONON
Leadership finance as a career and enables their
Council for the positive influence over pre-career
DIVERSITY
Meritas Black young women.
FELLOWSHIP
Lawyers Forum 2021
100 Women in Finance’s nearly 20,000
Associate registered members strengthen the
Shareda Coleman global finance industry by empowering
Stradley is pleased to announce
has been selected to serve on the women to achieve their professional
that Zunara Ishtaiq is the recipient
Leadership Council for the Meritas potential at each career stage.
of its 2021 Diversity Fellowship.
Black Lawyers Forum, an infrastructure
for Black attorneys within Meritas to Zunara is a second-year law student
create global connections, facilitate Jamie M. at Rutgers Law School and hopes to
mentorship, increase visibility and form Gershkow focus on corporate and securities
a worldwide community. As a mid-level Participates in law because, in her own words,
associate and social justice advocate, ‘Ring the Bell for “both of these practice areas play
Coleman is committed to amplifying Gender Equality’ a central role in our country’s
the conversation surrounding racial Ceremony at economy and society.”
equity in the legal community. Nasdaq
As the diversity fellow, Zunara
“The Forum provides us with a Partner Jamie will have the opportunity to gain
dynamic platform to enhance M. Gershkow hands-on experience working both
mentorship and professional participated in the seventh annual at the firm and in-house by splitting
development opportunities for Black “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” her summer between Stradley
lawyers,” Coleman explains. “I’m initiative. The bell-ringing ceremonies Ronon and one of the firm’s most
honored to help lead this initiative are a partnership among U.N. Women, valued clients, Aberdeen Standard
not only to provide Black lawyers with Women in ETFs, International Finance Investments. In addition to gaining
greater visibility but also to provide Corporation, Sustainable Stock practical experience, Zunara receives
a safe space to discuss, advocate and Exchanges Initiative, U.N. Global mentorship and financial support in
address issues of importance to our Compact and the World Federation the form of a $10,000 scholarship.
community on a global scale.” of Exchanges, the aim of which is
to bring attention to the pivotal
role that the private sector can PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS
Aliza S. Dominey play in advancing gender equality JOURNAL
Joins the and to raise awareness about the
100 Women business case for women’s economic Stradley Ronon Attorneys Lead
in Finance empowerment. D&I in the Financial Industry
Washington, DC, Discussion With the Philadelphia
Committee Gershkow is co-head of events and Business Journal
education of Women in ETFs New
Associate Aliza York, a nonprofit organization that Matthew R. DiClemente, co-chair of
S. Dominey has seeks to bring together people to the firm’s investment management
been selected to champion goals of diversity, equality group, and Brian Seaman, chief diversity
the 100 Women in Finance Washington, and inclusion in the exchange-traded officer and counsel at the firm, served
DC, Education Committee. Through funds’ industry. as panelists at the Philadelphia Business
her role, Dominey helps plan peer Journal event “Diversity and Inclusion in
Philadelphia’s Financial Industry” on
Feb. 11. DiClemente and Seaman
discussed how the financial services
STRADLEY RONON DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION industry can move toward a more
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP diverse and inclusive future. Read the
full piece here.
4 • D & I In Action • Issue III
NEW PARTNER PERSPECTIVES, WITH DEAN KRISHNA
Dean V. Krishna, a partner and member of the firm’s tax group, shares advice for students seeking
a career in law, his recent career accomplishment (joining the firm’s partnership in January 2021) and
the area of practice he looks forward to developing. Watch both videos here and here.
“One of the areas of practice I have enjoyed developing has been our
investment management M&A practice. Investment management is part of the
DNA of Stradley, and to combine that with our M&A practice, to help founders
and institutions do M&A deals in a way that few, if any, other firms are able
to do, has been tremendously rewarding.”
Closing the Employment Gap
continued from page 1
community – simply because their TPI, the firm immediately offered its obvious – since the creation of The
skill sets didn’t shine through in a assistance through Chairman Emeritus Precision Institute, 80% of its job
typical interview process. The program William Sasso to help navigate candidates have received offers
catapulted into reality when Jack the legal processes of creating TPI’s from its business partner, TPI, and
Markell, former governor of Delaware nonprofit arm, The Precision Institute. the retention rate after one year of
and former head of the National The institute assesses and trains employment is 90%.
Governors Association, selected individuals impacted by autism and
“employment of people with disabilities other developmental disabilities and Finding Purpose Today
for a better bottom line” as the No. prepares them to enter the workforce The power of work has transformed
1 issue all governors across the U.S. in technology and business services lives in our local communities and
would focus on for the 2012-13 term. positions throughout the U.S. The across the country. TPI has employed
As part of that effort, Markell called institute’s signature Assessment & 160 people since launching in 2016.
on all 50 governors to do a better job “The Precision Institute embraces
of increasing job opportunities for your differences and sees them as
people with disabilities, stating that assets. They take into consideration
“employing people with disabilities the whole you, not just what is on
is not about charity, but it’s about paper or how you appear at face
what’s in the business’s best interest.” value. They even find talents you
Dianastasis worked alongside Markell didn’t know you had,” said Amy
and recruited the CEO of Specialisterne, L., one of The Precision Institute’s
Thorkil Sonne, to join the effort. Sonne, success stories and employees.
an expert from Denmark, developed Training Program, which serves as a
an approach to find, assess and train multiweek “job interview,” includes Creating job opportunities for our
people on the autism spectrum in IT an in-depth three- or four-week neurodiverse community has given
jobs. After piloting these innovative assessment and training program that many individuals hope, independence
concepts, Dianastasis quickly created teaches valuable technical skills and and power in their daily lives.
40 positions in a year, including workplace readiness skills. In addition, TPI’s business model for disability
roles in software development, data the institute also works closely with its employment and its persistence in
management, documentation and client partners to define the project changing the workplace landscape
digitization, and quality control. work and deliverables to ensure that with the goal of employing 10,000
associates and teams will be successful. people is a mission everyone at Stradley
The Stradley Connection Most importantly, the institute looks Ronon can get behind. To learn more
Stradley Ronon has a long-standing beyond the autism diagnosis and about TPI and The Precision Institute,
tradition of serving not only our clients developmental disability to identify please visit theprecisionists.com and
but also the communities in which we each candidate’s motivation and theprecision.institute.
work and live. Upon learning about unique attributes. And its success is
5 • D & I In Action • Issue III
For more information on Stradley Ronon’s diversity and inclusion
efforts, please contact Brian Seaman at bseaman@stradley.com
or 215.564.8171 or visit www.stradley.com/diversity.
Information contained in this publication should not be construed as legal advice or opinion or as a substitute
for the advice of counsel. The enclosed materials may have been abridged from other sources. They are provided for educational
and informational purposes for the use of clients and others who may be interested in the subject matter.
www.stradley.com/diversity
Pennsylvania | Washington, DC | New York
New Jersey | Illinois | Delaware
© 2021 Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
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