Juneteenth marks a significant day in history when many slaves first learned they had been freed from the institution of slavery. On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order freeing all slaves. However, because the Civil War continued for another two years, many enslaved people in the South did not know of the Emancipation Proclamation or that they were no longer slaves. When the war ended, General Gordon Granger traveled to Texas on June 19, 1865 and reiterated that all slaves were free. For this reason, Juneteenth is nationally celebrated to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
Committed to Social Justice and Equality
As a group of civil lawyers committed to social justice and equality, Lewis Wagner, LLP condemns the recent and deeply disturbing acts of hatred, racism, and discrimination that our country has witnessed. The tragic and senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd - and the incident involving Christian Cooper in Central Park - show just how much work we as a country have ahead of us to build a more just, equal, and safe society. We acknowledge the feelings of pain, frustration, and outrage that have understandably erupted in the wake of these tragedies, and we support the right of the American people to peaceable protest. We stand with the Black Lives Matters movement and all of its allies in pushing for systemic change in American structures that perpetuate racial inequality and injustice. As legal professionals, we will do what we can to listen, learn, understand, educate, and advocate. All people, in every community, including our own, are equally deserving of value, respect, and safety.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Since its inception, the law firm of Lewis Wagner has been committed to diversity and inclusion. Diversity is one of our founding principles and an integral part of our firm culture.
We are proud that our firm’s story begins with being one of the first racially-integrated law firms in Indianapolis. Our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace continues to be a priority in the firm’s culture.
We believe that diversity of people, ideas and experience yield innovative results for our clients and fosters a more rewarding work environment. In furtherance of this objective, Lewis Wagner has consistently outperformed our peers in the recruiting, hiring and promotion of female attorneys and attorneys of diverse backgrounds.
Our diversity efforts are supported internally through the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which implements programs, initiatives and events to promote the firm’s ongoing commitments. The committee, made up of attorneys, paralegals and staff members, oversees the firm’s efforts to foster an inclusive work environment, recruit and retain talent, and sponsor diversity programs and events in our community. We conduct regular training and host a variety of internal events each year to ensure all firm members are cognizant of these important initiatives.
We believe our firm should reflect the diversity of the community in which we practice. We are an ardent sponsor of and participant in the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Diversity Job Fair, which presents job opportunities for future attorneys from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Our attorneys are also involved in local, state and national organizations to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
Recognition and Sponsorships:
- Indiana Minority Business Magazine Champions of Diversity Award
- Mayor of Indianapolis Celebration of Diversity Award for Workforce Development
- DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar, the single largest defense attorney association in the world with over 22,000 attorneys representing thousands of law firms, Law Firm Diversity Award
- Indiana Lawyer's Diversity in Practice Award Finalist
- Indiana State Bar Association's 2006 Rabb Emison Award for its commitment to promote diversity and equality in the legal profession
Look for Lewis Wagner at the following events:
- Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana Annual Banquet
- DRI Women in the Law Seminar
- Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Annual Luncheon
- Indiana Black Expo Corporate Lunch
- Indianapolis Bar Association's Diversity Job Fair
- Indiana University McKinney School of Law Annual Diversity Dinner
- Indy Pride Festival
- Power of Women’s Fund Philanthropy Event