Sharon Jones, an experienced lawyer and consultant on diversity, equity and inclusion issues, will join Haynes and Boone, LLP as its first ever chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer on Oct. 18. She also will serve as a partner in the Labor and Employment Practice Group, leveraging her background as a successful federal prosecutor and as a litigator and counselor with Fortune 500 corporations and private law firms.
Most recently, Ms. Jones was the President/CEO of Jones Diversity, a consulting firm that worked with AmLaw 100 firms nationwide on best practices. She has consulted Haynes Boone in recent years and been instrumental in various key DEI initiatives, including its ongoing implementation of 11 concrete action steps designed to help Haynes Boone remain among the industry leaders in the recruiting, retention, and promotion of lawyers from diverse backgrounds.
“We know first-hand that Sharon is among the best strategic thinkers in the nation about DEI matters. Sharon knows what it takes to meet and surmount the challenges of building a work environment where talented professionals from a variety of backgrounds can thrive,” said Haynes Boone Managing Partner Taylor Wilson. “Sharon will help us continue to make headway in ensuring that all voices are heard and supported at the firm. She also will be an invaluable resource to our clients, counselling them about how best to achieve their DEI objectives and to comply with the social values and goals espoused in their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.”
Ms. Jones said she chose to join Haynes Boone because of the firm’s progressive, entrepreneurial spirit and the commitment of Haynes Boone’s leadership to seek out innovative, far-reaching approaches to shift the DEI paradigm.
“I want to throw myself fully into the firm’s efforts, which I have been pleased to help lead, to create positive, meaningful change and to serve as a role model for other firms,” Ms. Jones said. “I also look forward to collaborating with my colleagues in the Labor and Employment Practice to provide companies with practical, holistic solutions to their DEI goals.”
Ms. Jones previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago, where she conducted federal grand jury investigations and trials in high profile white-collar criminal cases. In private practice, she was a litigation partner at Bird, Marella, Boxer, Wolpert & Matz and of counsel at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, both in Los Angeles. In the corporate sector, she managed litigation matters worldwide for Abbott Laboratories and served as senior counsel at SBC Communications (now AT&T).
Excellence in diversity and inclusion has been a core value of Haynes Boone since its founding. The firm recognizes that attracting, retaining, and promoting talented lawyers with a variety of backgrounds and perspectives is of paramount importance to providing clients with the best possible service. The firm recently achieved Mansfield Rule 4.0 Plus certification, demonstrating that it has at least 30% diverse lawyer representation in a notable number of current leadership roles, and further that it has considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, formal client pitch opportunities, and senior lateral positions. In 2021, Haynes Boone was one of only 29 U.S. law firms to receive the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) Gold Standard Certification. It was the ninth year the firm received the award.
Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., London, Mexico City and Shanghai, providing a full spectrum of legal services in energy, technology, financial services and private equity. With 600 lawyers, Haynes Boone is ranked among the largest U.S.-based firms by The National Law Journal, The American Lawyer and The Lawyer. It was recognized for excellence in the BTI Consulting Group’s 2021 “A-Team” report, which identifies the law firms that in-house counsel commend for providing superior client service.
The following publications reported on Ms. Jones' move to Haynes Boone:
Texas Lawyer
Law360 Pulse
Diverse Partners Network Newsletter
