Supplier Diversity
Ensure your organization is certified and/or registered as a minority-owned, women-owned, LGBTQ+-owned, veteran-owned, disability-owned, small/small disadvantaged, or other underutilized businesses (see Definitions).
At Proskauer, diversity, equity and inclusion are core values and fundamental to our history and culture. We strongly believe that promoting diversity strengthens our entire Firm and the communities in which we live and work. To this end, Proskauer has developed a Supplier Diversity Program that is committed to a more-inclusive marketplace that positively impacts the Firm, its suppliers and its clients. The Supplier Diversity Program is integrated into the Firm’s sourcing practices and designed to enhance opportunities for Diverse Suppliers to deliver cost-competitive, high quality and responsive solutions that result in mutual long-term value.
Goals
- Advocate for supplier diversity and the Firm’s Supplier Diversity Program.
- Advance the inclusion of Diverse Suppliers in the Firm’s sourcing and procurement strategy.
- Amplify the Supplier Diversity Program performance and progress.
While supplier diversity is the responsibility of all who influence procurement decisions, Proskauer’s Supplier Diversity Program is administered by the Sourcing & Procurement Group, in collaboration with the Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Diversity Commitments Committee.
Eligibility
To be considered a Diverse Supplier, an organization must be at least 51% owned, controlled and operated by individual(s) from one of the following groups:
- Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE): African American/Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American or Asian descent.
- LGBTQ+-Owned Business Enterprise (LGBTBE).
- Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
- Disabled-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE).
- Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE).
- Small Business Enterprise (SBE).
Certified Diverse Suppliers shall submit a certification from an authorized third-party or regulatory agency. Uncertified suppliers that qualify as diverse may be considered for self-certification. If you are interested in self-certifying please download and complete the below form and email it to our Supplier Diversity email address.
Engagement
If your organization is interested in doing business with Proskauer, please submit a Supplier Registration Form. Completing this registration will allow us to identify opportunities that fit with your organization’s profile. If you qualify as a Diverse Supplier, but are not yet certified, please indicate that on the registration and you may be eligible for self-certification. Should there be an opportunity to work together in the future, suppliers will be required to verify diversity status.
For more information on supplier governance, guidance and engagement, please visit our Supplier Relations Portal.
Supplier Diversity FAQs
How can my organization register as a diverse supplier?
You can register through a third-party agency or you can see if you qualify for self-certification. If you want to learn more about self-certification, contact SupplierDiversity@proskauer.com.
How do I submit a copy of my certification?
Electronic copies of your certification can be submitted to SupplierDiversity@proskauer.com.
Does registering as a diverse supplier ensure that Proskauer will do business with my organization?
No, registration does not guarantee business, but Proskauer is committed to working with diverse suppliers in our procurement process.
What are the benefits of participating in Proskauer’s supplier diversity programs?
- Diversify the marketplace
- Diversity breeds innovations
- Strategically plan and offer competitively priced products and services
- Increase the quality of the products we offer to our clients
Does Proskauer have a supplier diversity policy?
Yes. Proskauer procurement also has the resources to identify qualified diverse suppliers for procurement opportunities.
What does Proskauer procurement consider when determining which suppliers they use?
Because of the size and scope of our business, Proskauer procurement looks for diverse suppliers with the following credentials:
- Experience in the legal industry
- Global presence
- Third-party or self-certification as a minority-owned, woman-owned, LGBT-owned, veteran-owned, and disability-owned business
- Small business classification through the Small Business Administration
Does Proskauer post bids for upcoming business?
No, we do not post upcoming bids externally. Suppliers can learn about upcoming bids of potential opportunities through the commodity lead specializing in their commodity.
How does Proskauer supplier diversity work within the procurement process?
We amplify diversity growth by:
- Working with commodity leads to identify procurement opportunities
- Identifying qualified diverse suppliers to participate in upcoming procurement opportunities
- Vetting identified diverse suppliers to determine if a match exists between suppliers' capabilities and business requirements
What if I registered with Proskauer as a diverse supplier, but have not been contacted for a procurement opportunity?
If your organization has not been contacted for a potential procurement opportunity, either the opportunity has not yet occurred, we do not require the product/service your organization provides, or a match between your organization's product/services has not been identified.
What are the next steps after Proskauer procurement contacts my organization regarding a potential procurement opportunity?
We will go through a screening of your organization to determine if a match exists between capabilities and business requirements. If a match exists, we will schedule an introductory call between your organization and the commodity lead for your product/service. If we determine that your organization's capabilities are aligned with our business requirements, your organization will be invited to competitively bid.
Definitions
Diverse Supplier: If a business is at least 51% owned, controlled, and actively managed by the following: Minority, Women, LGBT, Veteran, Disabled, Service-Disabled Veteran, Other. If minority owned please indicate minority (e.g., Black/African American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander etc.).
Small Business: The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) provides specific qualifications and registration forms. Generally, unless a supplier involves commercial farming, if there are fewer than 100 employees and the total income plus the cost of goods sold is less than $7.5 million, then they can be classed as a Small Business.
Small Disadvantaged Business: According to the SBA, Small Disadvantaged Businesses must meet the requirements for a Small Business and also be 51% owned and controlled by one or more disadvantaged persons, which is a designation for those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. For more information and to register, visit the SBA website.
HUB Zone Business: The SBA defines HUB Zones as areas that have high unemployment, low median household incomes, or both. The SBA maintains maps of HUB Zones. In addition to meeting the SBA Small Business Requirements, the principal offices of HUB Zone Businesses must be located in HUB Zones and 35% of a HUB Zone Business' employees must reside in a HUB Zone. To apply for certification, visit the SBA website.
Diversity and inclusion are ever-evolving fields that demand constant re-evaluation. If you believe that your supplier is not represented by any of the categories listed in this form, we would like to hear about it.
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