Some lawyers can trumpet their diversity hires and publicly announce ambitious diversity initiatives. For others, it's complicated. "I have to be more of a Harriet Tubman when it comes to bringing in Black partners," says LaTanya Langley, vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for BIC Supply Chain.

Langley notes she serves on a global diversity task force at the Shelton, Connecticut-based company and can create programs to recruit and hire diverse talent. Yet, she says, she has to always make the business case for diversity. Investing in women and Black partners is a solid business practice for BIC, she argues. "It's crucial to have a diverse slate." To strengthen Black lawyers who work on BIC cases, she makes sure the lawyers she taps get credit for the work they've done. She even writes letters to managing partners at Sullivan & Cromwell, Holland & Knight and Perkins Coie, among other outside counsel, to praise any diverse attorneys who handled BIC matters well.