In a significant move within the legal industry, Thompson Hine has named Anthony White, an African American, as its next managing partner. Notable for being the first-ever Black managing partner in the history of Thompson Hine, White is about to be included in a very select group of Black leaders steering an Am Law 200 firm.
White expressed to Bloomberg Law his thoughts on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the firm. He highlighted that the industry still confronts the question of effectively incorporating African Americans into leadership roles, both within firms and with clients.
According to White, real change is not about enforcing artificial processes on an organization but about focusing on the firm’s people who represent its most important strength. He looks forward to focusing on equity and inclusion alongside many other initiatives that put the firm’s people in the forefront.
White, succeeding Deborah Read, will step into his new role from May 1. Read has been leading the law firm since 2012.
With this move, White, along with a small group of other Black law firm leaders, are breaking barriers in leadership positions within the industry. This change is not only significant for Thompson Hine but also sets an example for the legal industry as it grapples with issues of diversity in leadership positions.
White hopes for a future of legal practice that is more inclusive, exemplified by his own appointment to this top role. He hopes others may find motivation in his new appointment, visualizing it as a beacon of hope for more diversity at the echelons of leadership in the future.
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