Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Appoints Robert J. Grey, Jr. as Interim Executive Director

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), an organization of chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to improving diversity in the legal profession, announced today the appointment of Robert J. Grey, Jr. as Interim Executive Director. Mr. Grey will oversee the organization’s efforts to advance its mission, increase membership and identify a permanent Executive Director, which the organization aims to appoint in the next 6 months. Mr. Grey is currently a Partner in the Administrative Law and Government Relations Practice Group at Hunton & Williams LLP, where he will continue his duties on a part-time basis.

“The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity is uniquely positioned to lead the drive towards increased diversity in the legal profession,” said Mr. Grey, a former President of the American Bar Association. “I am honored to join the organization and look forward to working with the legal industry’s senior leaders to address critical issues in achieving full diversity in the industry – and ultimately to enhance opportunities for women and all minority groups so that they will perform, succeed and lead in the legal profession.”

In his role as Interim Executive Director, Mr. Grey plans to bring together the leadership of law firms and corporate legal departments, and use all means at their disposal to create a truly diverse profession. To that end, Mr. Grey will work to establish the organization’s platform for success - including benchmarks the organization will look to achieve and how progress against those goals will be measured. Among the areas that will be gauged are increased membership, partnerships with likeminded organizations in and outside of the legal profession, and the promotion of diversity best practices that can be adapted, implemented and built upon by law firms and corporate legal departments alike.

“Robert has the experience, drive and expertise to lead the LCLD through this period of growth,” said Rick Palmore, General Counsel of General Mills and Chair of the LCLD Board. “He recognizes the unique opportunity our organization has to effect material change in the industry, and he is committed to ensuring our profession allows the best talent to flourish.”

“The LCLD, and the 2008 Call to Action Summit from which the Council evolved, have created a strong foundation on which to build the organization,” added Mr. Grey. “I look forward to working with leaders in the industry to clearly define the LCLD’s unique position in the diversity arena, and to ensure GCs and MPs are working together to drive the organization forward in meeting its goals.”

Prior to joining the LCLD, Mr. Grey was the president of the ABA from 2004-2005. In his role as a Partner at Hunton & Williams LLP, Mr. Grey’s practice focuses on administrative law and government relations. Mr. Grey currently serves as Vice Chair of the Hunton & Williams Community Service Committee.

Mr. Grey graduated with a B.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University, and with a J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He is a member of the Washington and Lee University Board of Trustees and the American Law Institute.

About the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

The Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) is a newly formed organization of chief legal officers and law firm managing partners dedicated to using all means at their disposal to create a truly diverse legal profession. The LCLD recognizes and affirms that having diverse talent is a critical element in having the best talent. To assure that the legal profession enables the best talent to flourish, the LCLD is committed to eliminating impediments which preclude minorities and women from having a full and fair opportunity to perform, to succeed and to lead.