DENVER, March 1, 2016 –Sherman & Howard L.L.C. is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership with the Center for Legal Inclusiveness.  The firm will host the Center’s staff, Executive Director Karen Hester and Office Manager Diane Metzger, at its Denver office starting on March 1, 2016 through February 2018.

CLI has been at the forefront of innovation since it was formed in 2007. The Denver-based organization, formerly known as the “Colorado Campaign for Inclusive Excellence,” is helping law firms, corporate law departments and government legal offices take their diversity efforts to the next level.  CLI provides valuable inclusiveness tools and resources to help legal employers retain and advance diverse and female attorneys.

“We are pleased to support CLI and host their team at our firm,” said Jordan Fox, an attorney in Sherman & Howard’s litigation, trials and appeals group and the head of the firm’s inclusiveness council.  “CLI is nationally respected and recognized for their efforts and, as a member of their board of directors for the past four years, I have seen first-hand their tireless commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession.  Their efforts to create a culture of inclusion are consistent with our focus at Sherman & Howard and we look forward to working with them closely in the coming years.”

Karen Hester is the Executive Director of CLI and has more than 10 years of experience working in diversity and inclusion.  In 2015 she was named Diversity Champion by NALP’s Diversity and Inclusion Section, which only recognized 11 individuals nationally.  She is an accomplished trainer, presenter, facilitator, and industry leader on the topic of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Diane Metzger is the Office Manager of CLI.  She developed a strong interest in promoting educational development, both domestically and abroad, and her graduate work was focused on nonprofit management.  She has experience in the areas of administration, fundraising, event planning, marketing and outreach.

ABOUT CLI The Center for Legal Inclusiveness (CLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing diversity in the legal profession by actively educating and supporting private and public sector legal organizations in their own individual campaigns to create cultures of inclusion.  CLI’s innovative programs and initiatives are national models.

ABOUT SHERMAN & HOWARD Sherman & Howard L.L.C. is one of the most established and successful law firms in the Rocky Mountain region. The firm helps its clients in most aspects of law affecting businesses, individuals and public institutions.  Sherman & Howard’s 190 attorneys practice law from 11 offices located in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Georgia and Missouri.

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