For The Defense, December 2011 - DRI Today

plan committed to achievement, sensitivity,
and receptivity of diversity issues,
including promotion of its minority and
women lawyers or volunteers. The 2011
recipient of the award was the Ohio Association
of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA).
OACTA is an organization of attorneys,
corporate executives, and managers
who devote a substantial portion of their
time to the defense of civil lawsuits and
the management of claims against individuals,
corporations, and governmental
entities. The mission of OACTA is to provide
a forum where members can work
together and with others on common
problems and promote and improve the
administration of justice in Ohio.
OACTA believes that a diverse membership
makes a stronger organization,
encourages diversity in all aspects of its
activities, and is committed to nurturing
a culture that supports and promotes
diversity. During the past year, OACTA
announced its new annual Law Student
Diversity Scholarship program, which is
open to incoming second and third-year
African American, Hispanic, Asian, Pan
Asian, and Native American students enrolled
at Ohio law schools. Incoming second
and third-year female law students
enrolled at Ohio law schools are also eligible
regardless of race or ethnicity.
■ The Law Firm Diversity Award recipient
is a DRI member firm that has
achieved significant success in the area
of law office management, while also
16 ■ For The Defense ■ December 2011
demonstrating commitment to
increase diversity within and outside
the firm as evidenced by a
diversity plan sensitive and receptive
to diversity and commitment
to achieve it, as well as to promoting
its minority and women
lawyers. The 2011 recipient was
Venable LLP. 2011 marks the 10th
anniversary of Venable’s diversity
program. Their diversity program
does not have a formal structure.
Rather, it consists of innovative
and ongoing programs and initiatives
that have the purposes of
education, communication, retention,
promotion, celebration,
and more. The diversity program
is managed by the firm’s Diversity
Committee. The Diversity
Committee is committed to ensuring that
Venable’s commitment to attracting, retaining,
and enhancing a diverse professional
work force is realized through
recruitment, education, mentoring, and
professional development. The committee
leads the diversity progress in the firm,
monitors progress through retention and
promotion, and regularly reports back to
the managing partner, executive committee,
and board.
Diversity is recognized as a core value
in Venable’s strategic plan, and diversity
and inclusion are primary objectives
of the plan. The strategic plan is carried
out by the firm’s leaders and, at the firm,
The Law Firm Diversity Award is accepted on behalf of
Venable LLP by Craig A. Thompson, the firm’s Diversity
Team Leader.
Above left: The Outstanding State Representative Award is presented to Thomas J. Maroney of New York. Above right: The SLDO
Diversity Award is accepted on behalf of Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA) by Gary L. Grubler, OACTA President (left) and
Hilary S. Taylor, OACTA Diversity Committee Chair.
commitment to diversity starts at the
top. In addition to the managing partner,
women and minorities serve as heads of
important practice groups.
■ Bonnie Refinski- Knight, an attorney
at Harris, Creech, Ward & Backerby
PA in New Bern, North Carolina, received
the Fred H. Sievert Award Outstanding Defense
Bar Leader Award. The award recognizes
an individual who has exercised
strong leadership to make a significant
contribution toward achieving the goals
and objectives of the organized defense
bar as a current or immediate past president
of a state or local defense organization
and through innovative projects
that bettered the organization.
Ms. Refinski-
Knight concentrates her
practice in the defense of
liability claims against
physicians, nurses, and
hospitals. She also represents
clients in general
civil litigation
including automobile
liability, breach of contract
claims, warranty
claims, construction liability,
and general liability
insurance claims.
As president of the
North Carolina Association
of Defense
Attorneys (NCADA),
Ms. Refinski- Knight