Hilarie Bass, past co-president of Greenberg Traurig, has opened the Bass Institute for Diversity and Inclusion, a consulting firm that will evaluate and recommend changes to the diversity programs of companies, law firms and other institutions.

“There simply aren't enough women at the table,” Bass, who left the firm in December, said in a statement. “Not having women in senior leadership positions is bad for women, of course, but, more importantly, it's bad for business. Companies invest a fortune in recruiting the smartest, most competent women, but then they fail to retain them and to promote them into positions of senior leadership.”

Bass spent nearly four decades with Greenberg, rising to co-president in 2013. She also served as president of the American Bar Association. At both organizations, Bass oversaw the launch of several diversity initiatives. She spearheaded the ABA's “zero tolerance” manual on sexual harassment, and she founded the Greenberg's Women's Initiative, aimed at empowering other women to excel in the legal field as she had.

The Bass Institute will be supported by its nonprofit arm, the Bass Foundation. The foundation will solicit donations to fund and disseminate studies, and host conferences that include an AmLaw 100 Managing Partners Conference this May, and future Women's Leadership Workshops.

In January, Greenberg West Palm Beach partner Bradford Kaufman was appointed co-president of the firm. Kaufman has spent 18 years at Greenberg. Before the promotion, he was the firm's senior vice president and treasurer and served as global chairman of Professional Development and Integration.

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