Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Hurwitz Fine

Hurwitz Fine P.C. is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the legal profession, our workplace, and the communities we serve. We recognize that diversity encompasses a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education, veteran status, disability, socio-economic status, family and marital status. We believe that an inclusive environment—where individual differences are valued and respected—enhances both the quality of our client service and the well-being of our team.

As a woman-led law firm for multiple generations, Hurwitz Fine has a long history of supporting and mentoring lawyers into leadership roles. 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 , exemplifying our dedication to developing and elevating talent from within.

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 national recognition, awarded in partnership with Diversity Lab, reflects our continued efforts to foster a workplace where talent and leadership opportunities are accessible to all.

This marks the second time Hurwitz Fine has received this prestigious law firm recognition, reflecting our ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities within the legal profession.

The overall goal of the Midsize Mansfield Rule is to ensure that a broad range of qualified candidates—including women, LGBTQ+ attorneys, attorneys with disabilities, and racially and ethnically diverse attorneys—are considered for leadership roles, equity partner promotions, and client-facing opportunities. 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. We are also honored to be the first Buffalo-based law firm to receive this national certification.

This milestone represents another step forward in our ongoing efforts to build a strong and inclusive team that reflects the clients and communities we serve. At Hurwitz Fine, we remain committed to cultivating a workplace where all attorneys have the opportunity to grow, lead, and succeed.

Internal Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Hurwitz Fine maintains a Diversity & Inclusion Committee that advises the Board of Directors on initiatives aimed at fostering a workplace where all individuals feel valued and supported. The committee focuses on broadening recruitment efforts, strengthening retention, engaging in community outreach, partnering with diverse vendors, and promoting a workplace culture built on mutual respect and collaboration. 

External Community & Charitable Organization Involvement

At Hurwitz Fine, we believe in the importance of giving back and staying engaged with the communities that we serve. Our firm has a longstanding tradition of supporting local and national organizations that align with our core values, and we encourage our attorneys and staff to take an active role in these efforts.

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, there is an opportunity to create greater access within the legal profession. Through this partnership, we are committed to learning, sharing insights, and implementing practices that support a workplace where all individuals can thrive.

Hurwitz Fine is proud to support and sponsor fundraisers for organizations dedicated to community service, professional development, and broadening access to the legal profession, 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 educating the legal community and providing resources for individuals with visible and invisible disabilities.

Our leadership has also been recognized for their contributions to professional growth and equity. 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 a Business First IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness) Award winner, recognizing her as a leader in fostering inclusion within the Western New York community. Additionally, Hurwitz Fine was named a Legal Excellence honoree for "Law Firm Diversity" by The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal in 2022. We were also proud sponsors of the inaugural 2022 and 2023 Empire State Legal Diversity Career Fairs, reinforcing our commitment to broadening access to the legal profession.

Pro Bono Program

Hurwitz Fine is dedicated to ensuring access to legal representation for those in need through our active pro bono program. We proudly partner with civil legal service providers such as the Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Center for Elder Law and Justice, and we actively participate in the Federal Court Pro Bono Program. Our attorneys regularly accept assignments, recognizing the vital role pro bono service plays in strengthening our community.  

Forum for Women Lawyers

Hurwitz Fine’s Forum for Women Lawyers is an employee resource group dedicated to supporting the professional growth and success of women attorneys at the firm. The group provides opportunities for networking, mentorship, and career development while fostering strong connections among colleagues and peers in the legal community. Focused on key priorities such as self-advocacy, work-life balance, professional development, and career advancement, the Forum creates a collaborative space to address the evolving experiences of women in the legal profession.