Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Shareholders Bhaveen Jani and Thomas Onder have been elected to new leadership roles within the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee. Bhaveen will now be Chair and Thomas will now be Secretary of the committee. “Everyone at Stark & Stark is very proud of what our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee has accomplished since its inception”, said Managing Shareholder Michael Donahue. “As Bhaveen and Tom take on their new roles, we are excited by their vision and commitment to stewarding the committee’s further progress.”
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee at Stark & Stark has been charged with engaging and leading organizations outside of the firm which seek to improve diversity and inclusion, educating others on the importance of a diverse and inclusive environment, and guiding the firm’s diversified recruiting efforts. Stark & Stark relies on the unique backgrounds of our lawyers and staff to meet our goals of excellence, ethically serving our clients, and learning from each other.
“Over the past few years, we have seen Stark & Stark do more with respect to embracing change and valuing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DE&I”). As a diverse attorney, I am excited to be a catalyst for the continued transformation at Stark & Stark,” Bhaveen said. “It’s important to me that all people have a voice and are free to be their authentic self. Over the next couple years, my Co-Chair Bhaveen and I will continue to build upon the foundation that has been laid and will work with the committee to promote collaboration within and outside the firm from a DE&I perspective, set strategic goals designed to enhance and measure DE&I, create action plans to achieve those goals and be a resource to the firm, its employees, and the community. Stark & Stark understands that what makes us different and unique gives us a more diverse and realistic perspective, and that DE&I sets the firm up for greater success and leads to a more positive impact with our employees, clients, and community. Our first priority is to help and be a resource in the firm’s efforts to attract, develop, support, and retain diverse talent, implement an ERG, and work with the firm to integrate DE&I principles within the firm’s business goals. As I’ve communicated to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee, you will get my best.”
Bhaveen is a trial attorney in Stark & Stark’s Accident & Personal Injury Group. “When we engage in open dialogue about our differences and what we have in common, we as a firm become more inclusive and a better place to work and thrive,” said Bhaveen. “I’m excited to take on this new role because the firm is committed to DE&I from the top down and I’m confident that we as a firm will grow because of it. As Co-Chair I’m able to implement the firm’s DE&I goals and agenda.”
Tom is Chair of Stark & Stark’s Shopping Center & Retail Development Group and a member of the Real Estate, Litigation, and Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Groups. “It is a privilege to be selected as the Secretary for our firm’s DE&I committee. I am excited about helping to coordinate and plan our path forward as we all return to the office,” Tom said. “The Secretary’s role is to ensure the smooth functioning of the committee from a logistical standpoint. The Secretary helps prepare the agendas, works with the Co-Chairs on their direction for the committee, and keeps copious notes so that future generations on the committee can use the foundations that we built to continue all of our good work.”
Congratulations to Bhaveen and Tom!
