Change partners: How can law firms and in-house departments promote race and ethnic diversity?

GC: What initiatives has Microsoft and its legal department pioneered to promote race and ethnic diversity within its workforce?

Mary Snapp (MS): Microsoft’s legal department has had a focused diversity team for 12 years. Brad Smith [Microsoft’s president and chief legal officer] and I collaborated to start the diversity team within the department, which grew to include 85 people. Our original focus on women and racial and ethnic minorities has been sustained, but we have also added other areas of diversity and inclusion focus over time, such as people with disabilities and US military veterans.