At Klarquist, we believe that a diverse workforce is a better workforce. We are committed to continuous improvement on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and frame our approach around three key areas:
- Recruiting, retaining and investing in diverse talent. We recognize the entry barriers to women, people of color, and other minority groups in the STEM and legal fields, which impacts the diversity of the IP profession as a whole. In response to this, Klarquist actively seeks out opportunities to connect with diverse talent, through diversity-focused job fairs and other venues. We also offer a Summer Associate Diversity Fellowship to law students, as well as a Post-Doc Diversity Fellowship to individuals in the STEM fields interested in patent law. The firm is a member of Portland’s Partners in Diversity chapter. We invest in our diverse professionals through our mentorship program and by considering the value of diverse perspectives when building client service teams.
- Improving our internal dialogue about diversity & inclusion. Klarquist’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee focuses on identifying ways to improve diversity and inclusion within the firm and our community. In addition to seeking out feedback from members of the firm, the committee also hosts moderated discussion sessions on DE&I topics to elevate conversation about these matters.
- Supporting diverse causes and organizations in our community. Klarquist dedicates a portion of our annual giving budget to nonprofits focused on elevating historically disadvantaged communities and promoting diversity in STEM fields, and sponsors a number of annual events hosted by organizations focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.