The City Attorney’s Office was selected as a State Bar DEI Leadership Silver Seal recipient for its DEI efforts
SAN FRANCISCO (June 21, 2023) — The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office was recognized last week for its work to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the Office. The State Bar designated the City Attorney’s Office as a State Bar DEI Leadership Silver Seal recipient for implementing several DEI initiatives.
“We have significantly ramped up our DEI efforts, and I am pleased those endeavors are being acknowledged,” said City Attorney David Chiu. “Increasing diversity in the City Attorney’s Office and in the legal profession generally has been deeply important to me. I want to recognize and thank our DEI Director, our Racial Equity Task Force, and Affinity Groups for working hard to make the City Attorney’s Office a more diverse and inclusive workplace.”
The State Bar’s DEI Leadership Seal program was launched this year to recognize legal employers who have taken actions to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces. Specifically, the program awards employers who enact the State Bar’s DEI Action Items. Under the DEI Leadership Seal program, an employer must implement:
- 5 of 10 Action Items to be awarded the bronze seal;
- 7 of 10 Action Items to be awarded the silver seal;
- 9 of 10 Action Items to be awarded the gold seal.
The State Bar determined that the City Attorney’s Office implemented 8 of the 10 action items. The City Attorney’s Office was recognized in the silver tier alongside large, private law firms, which have substantial DEI budgets and are subject to fewer restrictions than public employers.
Since taking office, City Attorney Chiu has made advancing DEI a top priority. He created a DEI Director position with the Office, held by Komal Chokshi, to spearhead and grow the Office’s DEI initiatives. In a short time period, Chokshi has vastly increased the Office’s DEI trainings and offerings.
“I feel very fortunate to work with a City Attorney and colleagues who prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said DEI Director Chokshi. “The great teamwork in this office makes it possible for us to keep moving forward with our DEI goals.”
To ensure an equitable hiring process, the Office has modified or eliminated minimum and desired qualifications that may serve as hiring barriers, expanded outreach to attract a diverse applicant pool, standardized interview and selection procedures, and required interviewers take trainings to address implicit biases. As one of his first initiatives after assuming office, City Attorney Chiu implemented a new, transparent process for internal transfers and promotional opportunities.
In December 2020, the Office submitted its Racial Equity Action Plan and established the Racial Equity Task Force to increase and retain a diverse workforce. The Office also established affinity groups, providing employees from historically underrepresented groups opportunities to support each other and build community.
More information about the City Attorney’s Office DEI work can be found here, and the State Bar’s DEI Leadership Seal program can be found here.
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