Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Vision Statement

From its inception, Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC has embraced diversity, inclusion, and equity in the legal workplace. Two of its founding female partners, Becky Laffitte and Betsy Gray, have been a vital part of the firm’s name and operations for over two decades. Robinson Gray, with the assistance of the You2 Team and our clients, will build upon its history as a barrier breaking and inclusive law firm by creating and sustaining a workplace as a professional law firm where diverse people work, grow, and outwardly engage one another with respect, responsibility and understanding.

Mission Statement

Robinson Gray stands committed to creating a workplace and contributing to a profession that exemplifies diversity, inclusiveness, and equity with respect to unique attributes of personhood—including, but not limited to, race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and disability—and will manifest this commitment in its philosophy, policies, and practices.

We share this commitment with our clients and undertake this responsibility with them. A diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and legal community are essential to providing exceptional client services, promoting excellence in and enthusiasm for the legal profession among our attorneys and staff, and encouraging civility and trust in the administration of justice among the Bar, community and public.

Commitment #1

The firm will invest in its affinity groups, Black Lawyers and Women Lawyers, by:

• Strategically marketing to relevant clients/businesses
• Sharing affinity group spotlights to external audiences
• Providing mentoring opportunities for associates in both affinity groups
• Partnering with law school affinity groups for intentional recruiting efforts
  • Serve as a sponsor at the Black Law Student Association’s annual Gala
  • Host a luncheon during Women’s History Month for the USC law school’s Women in Law affinity group

Commitment #2

The firm will educate attorneys and staff by:

• Supporting the Firm’s Diversity Chair (Jasmine Smith) as she shares at the Firm’s annual Firm Retreat
• Ensuring orientation materials for new employees include
  • Diversity Mission Statement
  • Spotlight on DE&I Committee’s goals and initiatives
• Distributing a diversity newsletter to the Firm communicating events, celebrations, and upcoming events
• Providing CLE opportunities for attorneys and staff focused on DE&I topics

Commitment #3 

The Firm will involve attorneys & staff in DE&I initiatives by:

• Continuing to support the ideas and initiatives of the You2 Committee. For 2025, the You2 Committee plans to:
  • Sponsor an MLK Day of Service
  • Host its 3rd annual Cocktails & Conversations event (tailored to the following law school affinity groups)
    • Black Law Student Association, Latinx Law Student Association, Native American Law Student Association, South Carolina Asian Law Student Association
  • Diversify the representation in holiday decorations and celebrations to include other religions represented at Robinson Gray
  • Schedule an annual lunch meeting with attorneys in the Black Lawyers Group and minority staff members
  • Continue exploring training resources for You2 Committee members

Click here to view a list of our DEI Achievements.

We embrace inclusiveness at all levels of the firm-from hiring and seeking to retaining diverse lawyers and employees to celebrating our differences in race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, and religious preference to creating and maintaining an atmosphere that promotes respect.

Click here for a list of our open positions.