Lowenstein Sandler has announced that J. Danielle Carr, who joined the firm in April 2020 as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, has been promoted to the role of Chief Officer of Inclusion at the firm, effective July 1, 2022.
The announcement was made by Gary M. Wingens, Chair and Managing Partner of Lowenstein Sandler, who credited Ms. Carr with elevating and growing the firm’s strategy, programs, and results for diversity, equity, and inclusion since she joined Lowenstein.
“Danielle has been a fantastic leader of our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and she is highly deserving of this promotion,” said Wingens. “The commitment to diversity has been central to Lowenstein’s DNA since our founding. Danielle has taken that firm value and given it wings by setting strategic goals, implementing effective training, introducing creative programming, and ensuring diversity in our hiring, permeating every aspect of our firm’s culture. We are delighted to have her join our senior firm management team.”
“We are grateful to have someone with the passion, focus, and insights that Danielle brings every day to our DEI efforts,” said Joseph J. Palermo, Chief Operating Officer of the firm. “She is a wonderful leader and outstanding role model within the firm—and beyond.”
“This year marks my twenty-second year as a DEI professional, and I can unequivocally say that working at Lowenstein exceeds all of my expectations! From day one, firm leadership has made it clear that DEI is a core firm value, and has committed the resources needed to enable the firm to not just talk about DEI but also do the work necessary to break down systemic barriers that once limited underrepresented talent recruitment, retention, promotion, and leadership development,” said Carr. “To be promoted to Chief Officer of Inclusion at a firm that is not only committed but is intentional in its approach to diversity initiatives and programming is an honor.”
Since Danielle joined Lowenstein, the firm has achieved and exceeded Mansfield Rule 4.0 Certification standards; been recognized as one of Vault’s 2022 Best Law Firms for Diversity; was named to Bloomberg Law’s inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Framework; and received a 100 percent rating for the sixth year in a row on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace.
Inclusion is an important component of the firm’s DEI work, and by launching four new Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), safe spaces have been developed for many lawyers and staff at the firm. In addition to enhancing the offerings provided by the longstanding ERGs, which were established for women attorneys, women business service professionals, attorneys of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, and the network for parents, Carr helped lead the effort to launch four new groups that support the needs of people with chronic conditions, veterans and allies, mental health and wellness, and of color business service professionals. She also developed robust inclusion training programs for firm employees and leveraged her expertise to enhance the firm’s roster of internal and external events intended to entertain and educate audiences throughout the year on the wide range of perspectives and issues facing people of diverse backgrounds and identities.
Carr has received numerous awards across the country for her diversity leadership, and is active in many professional organizations focused on improving diversity in the legal community. In 2021, Carr was elected to serve as Vice President of the national Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler LLP is a national law firm with over 350 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
