Contact Us Today Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Hurwitz & Fine Hurwitz & Fine’s Commitment Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. is committed to diversity, equity and justice in the legal system, in the workplace, and in our community. At the firm, diversity encompasses a variety of characteristics, lifestyles and perspectives; including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, veteran status, disability, socio-economic status, family and marital status. A diverse and inclusive environment—where individual differences are recognized and valued—is essential to both the quality of our client service and the personal satisfaction of our lawyers and staff. As a woman-led law firm for multiple generations, Hurwitz & Fine has a long history of encouraging, supporting and hiring women and minority lawyers and advancing them to the ranks of partner and equity owners. In fact, our current President/Managing Partner, Jody E. Briandi, began her legal career at the firm as an associate attorney, as did her predecessor, Ann E. Evanko. Internal Diversity & Inclusion Committee Hurwitz & Fine maintains a Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which provides recommendations to the Board of Directors targeted at diversity and inclusion initiatives including the recruitment of diverse job candidates, retention of a diverse workforce, community outreach and giving back, the use of women and minority owned vendors, and the promotion of an inclusive work environment based on respecting the experiences and perspectives of others. External Community & Charitable Organization Involvement As part of our firm’s commitment, we look for ways to get involved in, and serve our community and beyond. As a firm, we appreciate that involvement in community and charitable organizations is fundamental to personal and professional development. Hurwitz & Fine has a longstanding history of supporting local and national organizations who share our core values. We actively encourage and mentor those interested in getting involved. Our attorneys, many of whom hold leadership positions, are active members of the following local and national community and charitable organizations focused on service, education and diversity: Allentown Association Amherst Central Alumni Foundation, Inc. Amherst Chamber of Commerce Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier Boy Scouts of America Center for Elder Law & Justice Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Crisis Services Elmwood Village Association Episcopal Diocese of Western New York Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies The Foundry GOLD Group (UB Law) Gow School Hellenic Lawyers Association Invest Buffalo Niagara Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo Jewish Federation of Greater Buffalo Lawyers for Learning Minority Bar Association of Western New York Minority Bar Foundation National LGBT Bar Association National Association of Women Business Owners, Buffalo Chapter National Foundation for Judicial Excellence Summit Foundation Temple Beth Tzedek Ten Thousand Villages UB Law School, Dean’s Advisory Council Vision Niagara Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York WNY Coalition Pooled Trust WNY Women’s Foundation Women Lawyers of WNY Additional Initiatives Our attorneys and staff contribute to and strengthen our Firm’s culture of giving back. We have held firmwide holiday drives in collaboration with the Minority Bar Association and the “Stone’s Buddies” program at Oishei Children’s Hospital. We regularly host firmwide drives and events, which have supported such charitable organizations as Friends of Night People, Hospice of Buffalo, Ride for Roswell and the Buffalo City Mission. We also have hosted internal volunteer opportunities such as “Birthday in a Bag” to support Child & Family Services and the United Way and most recently, sponsored a firmwide drive for the Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees, which provides household items to help Afghan refugees who have resettled in in WNY. We regularly attend and sponsor fundraisers for community and organizations such as the Minority Bar Foundation, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Women’s Bar Association of WNY and WNY Women’s Foundation. Pro Bono Program In addition, Hurwitz & Fine maintains an active pro bono program partnering with civil legal service providers such as the Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Center for Elder Law and Justice. We are also on the panel for the Federal Court Pro Bono Program and regularly accept assignments. We recognize the importance of serving all members of our community, including those who lack access to legal representation to which they are entitled. As a law firm of over 50 lawyers, we have the ability to bridge that gap. Midsize Mansfield Rule Hurwitz & Fine is currently participating in the 2021 – 2023 Midsize Mansfield Rule Certification class. The law firm is the only Western New York firm to participate in the national diversity law firm certification process, which will last a rigorous 18 months, with certification designated in March 2023. The overall goal of the Midsize Mansfield Rule is to increase the representation of diverse lawyers in leadership by broadening the pool of women, LGBTQ+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and/or racial/ethnic minority lawyers who are considered for entry-level and lateral attorney job openings, leadership opportunities, equity partner promotions, and opportunities to connect with clients. This certification is another positive step we are taking as a firm toward achieving our goals of creating and maintaining a diverse team of attorneys to partner with our clients. Our participation also demonstrates Hurwitz & Fine’s deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within our firm culture, client service teams, and in recruiting efforts. Diversity Blog Updates 10/25/21: National Pro Bono Celebration Week: Attorney Spotlight – Patty Rauh 10/20/21: Hurwitz & Fine’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee Sponsors Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees Charity Drive 09/20/21: Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. Announces Participation in National Midsize Mansfield Rule Certification to Expand Law Firm Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 08/16/21: Dan Kohane Featured Speaker at 2021 ADTA Annual Meeting on Experience as a First-Generation American 08/11/21: Jody E. Briandi Included in Buffalo Business First’s 2021 Power 200 Women 07/19/21: Jody E. Briandi Featured in Business First Diversity & Inclusion Panel Recap View All Diversity Posts View All Areas of Practice Newsletter Sign-up Fill in the form to register to receive any of our free electronic newsletters: Name Title Organization Email * Select Type Coverage Pointers Employment & Business Pointers Health Law Pointers Labor Law Pointers Medical & Nursing Home Liability Pointers Premises Pointers Products Liability Pointers Verify you are Human SUBMIT Headquarters 1300 Liberty Building Buffalo, New York 14202 716-849-8900 Fax: 716-855-0874 Long Island Office 575 Broadhollow Road Melville, New York 11747 631-465-0700 Fax: 631-465-0313 Albany Albany, NY 518-641-0398 Additional Offices: Albion | Amherst Niagara Falls | Rochester | Connecticut | Palm Beach Gardens | Toronto Copyright © 2021 Hurwitz & Fine, P.C. All Rights Reserved. Pursuant to 22 NYCRR Part 1200, certain portions of this website may be deemed Attorney Advertising. 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