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As Oregon鈥檚 legal sector elevates its efforts to encourage diversity, equity and inclusion within the profession, K&L Gates is seeing some significant gains within its Portland office. Its managing partner, Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis, is among the first immigrant, Asian, female partners in a leadership role in a major global law firm with a Portland office.

Of K&L Gates鈥� lawyers, 71 percent are women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ communities; 40 percent of its partners are women.聽

鈥淚n our Portland office we are enjoying the benefits of a diverse team with the growth in our office,鈥� said Anna Arredondo, the firm鈥檚 business development manager.聽鈥淔urther, the unique perspectives and experiences contributed from our employees鈥� different backgrounds enrich the culture of our firm and afford us greater opportunities for innovative thinking and creativity in problem solving. We provide better customer service and solutions to our clients. Studies have shown that diverse companies are 35 percent more likely to financially outperform those that are less diverse.鈥�

Leaders at K&L Gates encourage staff to participate in pro bono聽efforts and volunteer service through its Global Day of Service. It also has developed a slate of pro bono聽programs, such as a聽pro bono name and gender marker documentation change program聽to assist transgender individuals in Portland, Pittsburgh, Melbourne and Sydney. For Portland, this initiative is spearheaded by associate Shane Devins, who serves as board chair of the Q Center.

K&L Gates is fighting human trafficking聽in Portland as well. Attorneys Stephanie McCleery, Meredith Bateman and Sam Hernandez are representing a female victim of sex trafficking, helping to expunge and seal her criminal prostitution records. This year, its Global Day of Service is focused on women issues, and its Portland lawyers and staff will volunteer at the YWCA of Greater Portland鈥檚 home for women who are transitioning from abusive situations.

It also supports various nonprofit, professional and business organizations serving women, such as the XXcelerate Fund and the Women鈥檚 Leadership Alliance, as well as LGBTQ+ and diverse individuals and businesses.