Statement of Diversity Principles

The Association has issued a Statement of Diversity Principles, designed to affirm the commitment of New York City area law firms and corporate legal departments to diversity goals that have specific time targets and milestones for achieving diversity. The Association and its members have long been committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession. These Diversity Principles continue the Association’s diversity initiatives and build on the goals subscribed to in 1991 and 1998. The Association approaches diversity as an inclusive concept encompassing those groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the profession. Through increased diversity, the legal profession can more effectively address societal and individual needs by bringing to bear more varied perspectives, experiences and knowledge to the practice of law and the administration of justice. To date, the Statement has 163 signatories – 140 law firms and 23 corporations.

Team

Tanya Martinez-Gallinucci is the Executive Director of the New York City Bar Association’s Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (ODEIB). Ms. Martinez-Gallinucci was previously a litigation associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, where she dedicated much of her time to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives and pro bono work. As a Member of the Diversity Advisory Committee and liaison to the Latinx Affinity Group, Ms. Martinez-Gallinucci focused on creating access to developmental opportunities, senior lawyer networks, meaningful mentorship, and programming in support of associates from historically excluded groups. Her broad-based pro bono practice also reflected her commitment to equality and justice and included an externship at Mobilization for Justice where she worked with indigent clients in landlord-tenant disputes, various immigration-related matters, and work with special-needs students as co-counsel with Advocates for Children.

Prior to receiving her JD from Columbia Law School (following her BA from Yale and Masters from City College), Ms. Martinez-Gallinucci taught at a middle school in the Bronx and at City College Academy of the Arts in Washington Heights, and served as a law clerk in the NYC Department of Education. Ms. Martinez-Gallinucci is proud to be the product of the New York City public school system herself and a first-generation professional.

Angie Avila-Lanciotti

Manager of Development & Communications

(she/her)

Mary Ellen LaRosa is the Diversity &amp; Inclusion Coordinator with the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion &amp; Belonging at the New York City Bar Association. She also serves as the Organizational Culture &amp; Talent Development Research Assistant at the Child Center of NY, melding a background in organizational psychology with community-based experience to achieve higher employee and client satisfaction and inclusion.<br />Mary Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University as well as a master’s in psychology with a focus on industrial/organizational psychology from the New School. She is committed to using her unique skill set to further anti-racism and inclusion efforts in both their professional and personal life.