DePaul University general counsel José Padilla has steadily built a diverse team as vacancies crop up in his department. And as he's been building, he's been instrumental in helping the group's lawyers and staffers maximize their strengths.

Six of the university's eight lawyers are women, and Padilla is Latino. One of two deputy generals counsel is gay, and the department has three African-American staff members and a female student staffer, Padilla said.

Including lawyers from diverse backgrounds helps the department provide better service, he said.