Riker Danzig Names First Chief Diversity Officer

On Feb 26, 2019

Morristown-based law firm Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP has named partner Zahid N. Quraishi as its chief diversity officer, a new position for the Firm. Quraishi, who is head of Riker Danzig’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Investigations Practice, will provide leadership in advancing the firm’s diversity and inclusion values, and assume overall responsibility for accomplishing its diversity and inclusion goals.

Riker Danzig has an active Diversity Committee, of which Quraishi already serves as Chair.  The Committee consists of partners, associates and administrative staff, and addresses initiatives to improve the promotion, retention and professional growth of diverse attorneys, and cultivate a culture of inclusion.

“This was the next step in our continuing focus on diversity and I am proud to have been asked to take on this important position for the Firm,” said Quraishi of his new role.  “The Firm has been actively collaborating with several affinity bar associations and we intend to continue expanding on those relationships as well as building on our efforts with other groups.  We have also instituted a number of programs to promote attracting, recruiting, and maintaining diverse law school students, judicial law clerks, and lateral candidates.  We’ve made significant progress, but we recognize that there is much more to be done to get us where we want to be.  It is wonderful to be part of a Firm that wants to expend the time and resources to get us there.”  Quraishi is also a member of the Firm’s Management and Hiring Committees.

Riker Danzig Co-Chairman Brian E. O’Donnell echoed that sentiment.  “Appointing Za to the position of Chief Diversity Officer is an important step in the Firm’s diversity initiatives. We believe that Za has the drive and sense of purpose to take us to the next level of building a culture of inclusion.  Promoting diversity and inclusion only enhances our ability to provide the best results for our clients under the highest standards of professionalism and excellence.  We know our clients share these core values with us and we look forward to collaborating with them as we continue moving forward.”

For over 135 years, Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP has focused on providing high-quality legal services to the business community.  Headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, the Firm has additional offices in Trenton, midtown Manhattan, White Plains and Stamford.  Riker Danzig has earned a national reputation for expertise in trial and appellate litigation, insurance, commercial law and bankruptcy and, in addition, has highly-respected practices in products liability, environmental law, governmental affairs, real estate, white collar criminal defense and investigations, employment law, corporate law and mergers & acquisitions, public utilities, intellectual property, tax and trusts and estates, school law, elder law, family practice and cannabis law.

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