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Louisiana State Bar Association’s Guardian of Diversity Award recipient recommendation:
Kean Miller LLP (Kean Miller Connection)
Kean Miller LLP is a large and diverse firm with over 160 attorneys in Louisiana and Texas. Twelve
years ago, Kean Miller LLP launched the diversity pipeline initiative The Kean Miller Connection to
prioritize attracting minorities to the firm.
Kean Miller Connection is a workshop organized, produced, and hosted by attorneys. The workshop
targets college students who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in law schools. The
workshop provides mock law school classes, information on law school admission standards, insight
into opportunities in the field, speakers from all facets of the profession, and information designed to
demonstrate that a career in the profession is an attainable goal. The one-day (sometimes two-day)
workshop is held in Kean Miller LLP’s Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices.
To date, more than 260 diverse college students have participated in the Kean Miller Connection since
its inception, and at least 22 participants have enrolled in law school after the program. Three
participants are now Kean Miller associate attorneys.
AWARDS BACKGROUND
On January 22, 2010, the LSBA Board of Governors approved a diversity award to recognize
outstanding efforts made by (1) a bar association, (2) law firm or law department, (3) an individual
attorney or judge, (4) a court, or (5) a community organization or individual in promoting diversity in
the legal profession, in particular, to recognize efforts ensuring the full and equal opportunity of all
persons for entry and advancement in Louisiana's legal profession. It proposed that the diversity award
should bear the name “Louisiana State Bar Association Human Rights Award,” and be awarded by the
Association annually during its annual meeting.
On April 19, 2013, the LSBA Board of Governors approved to amend the Human Rights Award
guidelines and criteria to allow the award to be presented annually in two categories - individual and
organization.
On February 19, 2013, the LSBA Board of Governors approved a diversity award to recognize
outstanding efforts made by members of the bar from a group underrepresented within the Louisiana
legal profession who have demonstrated excellence or accomplished greatness in the face of great
adversity. It proposed that the diversity award should bear the name “Louisiana State Bar Association
Trailblazer Award,” and be awarded by the Association annually during its annual meeting.
On November 13, 2015, the LSBA Committee on Diversity in the Legal Profession approved
recommendations made by the Awards subcommittee on November 13, 2015. On January 15, 2016 the
LSBA Board of Governors unanimously approved the following changes to the Committee’s awards:
