Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Gallagher Sharp, we believe the diverse backgrounds of our attorneys, professionals, and staff provide great benefits to our clients resulting in a successful partnership. We value inclusion as an integral part of our outreach efforts, operations, and strategic plans. In concert with the firm’s written diversity policy, our committee members set goals which are executed by firm leadership and the firm’s hiring committee.

We are committed to recruiting, developing, retaining, and promoting talented lawyers and staff with diverse backgrounds and experiences across our four offices in order to provide clients with the leadership, personal attention, and integrity they deserve.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee Members:

  • Monica A. Sansalone, Managing Partner
  • Shane A. Lawson, Hiring Partner
  • Mark A. Greer, Partner
  • Joseph S. Center, Partner
  • Drew D. Price, Partner
  • Jennifer L. Gardner, Associate
  • Jeanne Gombeda, Firm Administrator

Community Involvement

At Gallagher Sharp, we take great pride in being involved in professional and community organizations and outreach programs. Our firm actively supports and partners with organizations such as Harvest for Hunger and Medwish International. We participate in annual campaigns and our employees, attorneys, and staff regularly volunteer their time in support of a variety of non-profit organizations. We take part in fundraising activities sponsored by the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and outreach activities sponsored by bar associations such as the 3Rs program which connects lawyers, judges, law students, and paralegals with high school students. We routinely participate in diversity job fairs, and partner with law school affinity groups to support their initiatives and provide mentorship. Recently, Gallagher Sharp partnered with Fox Sports Ohio for Black History Month to highlight diverse athletes who made a difference in their communities and paved the way for those who followed.

Sponsorship

Our firm regularly seeks out opportunities to partner with organizations to promote diversity & inclusion. Whether it be partnering with local nonprofits or universities across the state, we aim to do our part in in outreach efforts and diversity advancement. Recently, Gallagher Sharp partnered with Fox Sports Ohio for Black History Month (February 2020) to highlight diverse athletes who made a difference in their communities and paved the way for those who followed.

Education

Gallagher Sharp strongly embraces the diverse dimensions of our attorneys and staff, and we continually works to educate the firm’s employees on the importance of diversity and inclusion. We have presentations and workshops, and invite representatives from various local organizations committed to diversity and inclusion to speak to our firm.

Women's Initiative

The Women’s Initiative recognizes the vital role women play at our firm and in the greater legal community. We understand the challenges professional women face in work-life management, including professional advancement. Gallagher Sharp has a tradition of being committed to promoting women by providing professional development opportunities and events designed to increase leadership roles for female attorneys and law students.

“Elevating the next generation of women lawyers is essential at Gallagher Sharp. By supporting attorneys from varied and diverse backgrounds, our firm is stronger and we serve our clients better. We are proud of our history, and look forward to continuing our commitment to diversity.”

-Monica A. Sansalone, Managing Partner, Executive Committee Member