Firm News

Robinson Gray adopts Vision and Mission statements on diversity, equity and inclusion

COLUMBIA, S.C. – There are a lot of qualities that distinguish Robinson Gray, but not one stands out more than this: We are committed to cultivating a diverse team of dedicated attorneys and staff members.

We don’t just do that because it’s the right thing to do, although it certainly is. It also makes us better lawyers, and helps the firm serve its community better.

This has been in our marrow from the beginning. Two of our founding female partners, Becky Laffitte and Betsy Gray, have been a vital part of our very identity for more than two decades. Over the years, we have enlarged upon this principle to encompass race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability and more – with everyone coming together as a professional law firm in which all work, grow, and engage one another and the broader community with respect, responsibility and understanding.

Now, we have formalized this in a Vision Statement and Mission Statement that were recently drafted by the You2 Team – Robinson Gray’s internal diversity and inclusion committee – then approved by the executive committee and firm partners.

“The Vision and Mission statement will help focus the team’s efforts at Robinson Gray to provide a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment and provision of legal services in the community,” said Member Beth Richardson, leader of the committee during the process of drafting the statements.

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.