CAREER +

LEADERSHIP

VINITA BAHRI-MEHRA

KEGLER, BROWN, HILL + RITTER

Staying Authentic

+ Being Successful

Diversity

“Firms and organizations agree that it’s time to

challenge ourselves on ways to keep the

momentum going. Diversity helps us better serve

our clients, and it needs to be an ongoing force

of our profession.”

- Columbus Bar Association

Statistics

The number of foreign born in the metro area with

a bachelor’s has grown by 22% in the last 2 years.

Columbus is already attracting foreign investment. The metro area is home to 974

foreign-owned establishment employing more

than 40,000 Central Ohioans, and foreign direct

investment added more than 1,500 jobs to the

local economy in 2013.

74% increase in the number of minority attorneys

at Columbus area law firms since 2000. The

beginning of the Managing Partners Diversity

Initiative.

Statistics cont’d

Annual survey results from the participating law firms show

significant increases in attorneys of color at many levels

compared to 2000. The first year statistics were collected.

Minority partners increased 114%, from 14 to 30;

Minority associates increased 35%, from 31 to 42

Minority summer associates increased 106%, from 18 to 37;

Minority attorneys overall increased 74%, from 47 to 82;

Small firms increased minority attorney representation from

1.3% to 6.6% (3 to 5);

Medium-sized firms’ attorneys of color increased from 16 to

28;

Large law firms increased the representation of minority

attorneys from 3.8% to 6.4% (27 to 47)

Statistics cont’d

Total population by major ethnic group,

Columbus metro, 2012

European 57%

African American 12%

Hispanic or Latino 4%

Asian 3%

Sub-Saharan African 2%

Middle Eastern & 1%

North African

I am a Global Business

Lawyer practicing

international private law.

“International Private

Law” deals with

relationships between

persons or companies in

different countries.

Helping people.

Good income and benefits.

Exciting.

Making a difference in my community.

Job security.

Why Did I Choose This

Career?

Path to Success

Being true to one’s cultural heritage

Develop a successful personal brand without

sacrificing one’s cultural authenticity

Get out there! Boards, volunteer, commerce

groups

Be focused and motivated, but be patient

Meeting Important People + Seeing New Places

I should not

have to prove

my ethnicity to

anyone. I know

who I am.

“ “Christina Aguilera

Whatever your

ethnicity is, in this life

you are going to be

on a journey to

discover who you are,

and how you feel

about yourself.

“ “Lauren London

Thank you.QUESTIONS?