Like many industries, law firms are taking a fresh look at hiring and retaining a new generation of employees who better reflect the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of today’s society at large.

This move toward diversity and inclusion has been more pronounced since The Coca-Cola Co. announced in January a new policy mandating that at least 30% of work it contracts from law firms must be performed by “diverse attorneys.” And of that amount, at least half of the billable hours must be earmarked for Black lawyers.

Many law firms have diversity plans and committees, “but Coca-Cola is saying they’re not seeing enough movement [from law firms]. So, they are setting down markers,” says A. Benjamin Spencer, dean of the William & Mary Law School.

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