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, equitable, inclusive and belonging environment—where individual differences are recognized and valued—is essential to both the quality of our client service and the daily lives of our lawyers and staff.
As a woman-led law firm for multiple generations, Hurwitz Fine has a long history of supporting and mentoring 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.
MIDSIZE MANSFIELD RULE
Hurwitz Fine P.C. is proud to announce that we have earned Midsize Mansfield Certification “Plus” status for the 2023 – 2024 year. This 12-month certification, in partnership with Diversity Lab, tracks and measures our commitment to achieving greater diversity in leadership roles.
This marks the second time Hurwitz Fine has received this prestigious national recognition, reflecting our ongoing dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace and promoting equity within the legal profession.
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. In addition to Midsize Mansfield Certification, Hurwitz Fine went a step further and received Certification “Plus” status, which indicates that the law firm has successfully achieved 30% diverse representation in current leadership roles and pipeline activities. Hurwitz Fine is the first Buffalo-based law firm to achieve this national certification.
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.
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:
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Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus
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Buffalo State University Foundation
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Junior League of Buffalo
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National Association of Women Business Owners, Buffalo Chapter
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UB Law School, Dean’s Advisory Council
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Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Nassau Suffolk Law Services Committee, Inc.
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, the “Stone’s Buddies” program at Oishei Children’s Hospital, Child & Family Services, and WNY Heroes. We also regularly host firmwide drives and events, which have supported such charitable organizations as the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund, FeedMore WNY, the International Institute, Friends of Night People, Hospice of Buffalo, Ride for Roswell and the Buffalo City Mission. We have hosted internal volunteer opportunities such as “Birthday in a Bag” to support Child & Family Services and the United Way, partnered with ConnectLife to host a blood drive, and sponsored a firmwide drive for the Buffalo United for Afghan Evacuees, which provides household items to help Afghan refugees who have recently resettled in in WNY. Our Buffalo office has participated in two Habitat for Humanity service days, working on a modular home, completing many different tasks such as siding, framing, painting, installing hardware, and minor roofing. In 2024, Hurwitz Fine participated in the "United Way Day of Caring," volunteering at the CHC Learning Center (f/k/a Center for Handicapped Children, Inc) and the Buffalo City Mission.
allyship & ACTION
Through our participation in Mansfield Certification, Hurwitz Fine has partnered with Diversity Lab to continue building a culture of inclusion for people with disabilities by taking action on the group’s Disability Inclusion Commitments initiative. With 21% of the U.S. workforce identifying as disabled, and only 1.4% of law firm lawyers, more work is needed to bridge this gap. Hurwitz Fine has partnered to leverage our insights and experience to create a more inclusive workplace and community for disabled individuals in the legal profession.
We regularly attend and sponsor fundraisers for community and diverse organizations such as the Minority Bar Association & Foundation, UB Law School affinity groups (including OUTLaw, Law Students with Disabilities & Neurodivergencies and the Black Law Students Association), the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the Women’s Bar Association of WNY and WNY Women’s Foundation.
Hurwitz Fine was also recently honored by the University at Buffalo Law Students with Disabilities and Neurodivergencies (LSDN) with the 2024 Allyship Award. This award was given for “outstanding acts of allyship not only in our diversity statement, but also in our actions.” LSDN is dedicated to the education of neurotypical individuals while also providing support to individuals with visible and invisible disabilities, fostering a community of lawyers and students to navigate the workforce and classroom together.
In 2023, Hurwitz Fine President/Managing Partner Jody E. Briandi and Member Anastasia M. McCarthy were honored as 2023 ATHENA Award(R) finalists. The ATHENA Awards are an international event, celebrated in more than 500 communities and 8 countries, which recognizes the professional accomplishments of exceptional individuals dedicated to the advancement of women. Jody is also an upcoming Business First IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness) Award winner, which honors individuals who stand out as champions of diversity and inclusion in their workplaces and in the Western New York community.
In 2022, Hurwitz Fine was selected as a Legal Excellence honoree for "Law Firm Diversity" by The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal.
We were also a proud sponsor of the inaugural 2022 and 2023 Empire State Legal Diversity Career Fair.
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.
DIversity Clerkship Program
Hurwitz Fine's Diversity Clerkship Program is intended to provide a meaningful and hands-on private practice experience for law students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the legal profession. Each law clerk will receive one-on-one mentoring from firm attorneys, be exposed to the firm’s numerous practice areas, and will develop a portfolio of tangible work product for use in the hiring process. On a day-to-day basis, law clerks support the firm’s attorneys with a variety of tasks, including research, writing projects and case preparation. The firm will also provide meaningful opportunities to learn about the practice of law, to connect with local attorneys and the judiciary, and to publish legal articles on topics of interest.
Forum for Women Lawyers
The Forum for Women Lawyers is a newly created group at Hurwitz Fine, intended to provide the firm’s women lawyers with social and professional opportunities to build sustaining careers and strengthen relationships among colleagues and peers in the community. The group focuses on creating conversations and activities tailored to the unique challenges that women lawyers face in private practice. The Forum’s inaugural year has focused on four key priorities—self-advocating, work-life balance, educational opportunities for professional development, and advancement and promotion.
FIRM DIVERSITY Updates
- 10/02/24: Hurwitz Fine Achieves Midsize Mansfield “Plus” Diversity Certification for 2023 – 2024
- 09/30/24: Jody E. Briandi leads panel of WNY women business leaders at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce's launch of its LIFT professional women’s group
- 06/20/24: Hurwitz Fine participates in the United Way’s Day of Caring
- 04/15/24: Hurwitz Fine Honored with the 2024 Allyship Award from UB Law Students with Disabilities and Neurodivergencies
- 02/16/24: Jody E. Briandi Honored with Buffalo Business First’s 2024 IDEA Award