Diversity Equity Inclusion > Hiring Practices
Hiring Practices
Tonkon Torp is the only Oregon firm to rank in the Top 10 in Vault's 2021 Best Midsize Law Firms for Diversity rankings. Vault’s annual national rankings are based on information submitted by verified associates in the legal industry, and are a well-respected national recruiting reference for the legal community.
Below are some of the ways we are addressing DEI in our recruitment efforts. Please visit our careers page for more information.
Hiring and Recruiting Methodology: As part of the staff and lawyer applicant review process, Tonkon Torp’s Hiring Committee and Human Resources department is working to eliminate bias through improved resume review procedures, interviewer education, and interview methods that seek to avoid inequity and minimize bias. We are incorporating accountability metrics to ensure DEI stays top of mind in the hiring process.
1L Diversity Fellowship Program: The Tonkon Torp Managing Board approved the creation of its 1L Diversity Fellowship in 2003. The fellowship is offered to first-year law students who contribute to the diversity of our firm and the legal profession. It includes a 10-week paid summer associate position at the firm and is followed-up with a $10,000 academic scholarship at the conclusion of the program. Our fellows regularly go on to join our firm as lawyers.
De La Salle North Catholic High School Intern Program (on hiatus during pandemic): From 2005 through 2019, we hired student interns from De La Salle North Catholic High School who contributed to the racial and socioeconomic diversity of our firm. This internship program provides valuable job skills to high school students, and many of our student interns have returned to the firm as temporary or permanent employees. Our involvement with the program has been on hold since the onset of the pandemic but we hope to resume for the 2021-2022 school year. The firm is in the early stages of exploring additional pipeline efforts to engage with younger students and educate them about law school and the legal profession.
Requirements for Staffing Agencies: When engaging staffing/placement agencies for staff hiring, we specifically request a range of diverse applicants for our consideration. We also partner with agencies outside the downtown Portland core to further diversify our recruiting.
Career Fairs: Tonkon Torp attended the 1st Annual Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair in March 2021 and we plan to continue attending this great event going forward. The Job Fair’s mission is “to bring together Oregon’s Legal community to recruit and retain diverse legal professionals who will reflect the identity and values of the people and clients they serve.”
The firm sponsors and participates annually in the Oregon State Bar’s Opportunity for Law in Oregon (OLIO) program, which focuses on retention of minority lawyers in Oregon. These annual events include the OLIO Orientation (a three-day conference), a Judges’ Reception & Dinner, and an Employment Retreat.
Below are some of the ways we are addressing DEI in our recruitment efforts. Please visit our careers page for more information.
Hiring and Recruiting Methodology: As part of the staff and lawyer applicant review process, Tonkon Torp’s Hiring Committee and Human Resources department is working to eliminate bias through improved resume review procedures, interviewer education, and interview methods that seek to avoid inequity and minimize bias. We are incorporating accountability metrics to ensure DEI stays top of mind in the hiring process.
1L Diversity Fellowship Program: The Tonkon Torp Managing Board approved the creation of its 1L Diversity Fellowship in 2003. The fellowship is offered to first-year law students who contribute to the diversity of our firm and the legal profession. It includes a 10-week paid summer associate position at the firm and is followed-up with a $10,000 academic scholarship at the conclusion of the program. Our fellows regularly go on to join our firm as lawyers.
De La Salle North Catholic High School Intern Program (on hiatus during pandemic): From 2005 through 2019, we hired student interns from De La Salle North Catholic High School who contributed to the racial and socioeconomic diversity of our firm. This internship program provides valuable job skills to high school students, and many of our student interns have returned to the firm as temporary or permanent employees. Our involvement with the program has been on hold since the onset of the pandemic but we hope to resume for the 2021-2022 school year. The firm is in the early stages of exploring additional pipeline efforts to engage with younger students and educate them about law school and the legal profession.
Requirements for Staffing Agencies: When engaging staffing/placement agencies for staff hiring, we specifically request a range of diverse applicants for our consideration. We also partner with agencies outside the downtown Portland core to further diversify our recruiting.
Career Fairs: Tonkon Torp attended the 1st Annual Oregon Diversity Legal Job Fair in March 2021 and we plan to continue attending this great event going forward. The Job Fair’s mission is “to bring together Oregon’s Legal community to recruit and retain diverse legal professionals who will reflect the identity and values of the people and clients they serve.”
The firm sponsors and participates annually in the Oregon State Bar’s Opportunity for Law in Oregon (OLIO) program, which focuses on retention of minority lawyers in Oregon. These annual events include the OLIO Orientation (a three-day conference), a Judges’ Reception & Dinner, and an Employment Retreat.