At BASF Corp. in Florham Park, the Legal Department as a whole is made up of 64 percent women and 21 percent minorities; the department's leadership team is made up of 71 percent women and 43 percent minorities, according to the corporation. The department's minority composition has increased from 16 percent to 21 percent over the past few years, BASF said. The legal department, in concert with corporate leadership, ramped up its diversity efforts in 2016, including a diversity survey circulated to all outside counsel. BASF also joined the Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity, which is made up of roughly 265 managing partners and general counsel.

** The responses were provided by Matthew Lepore, senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer; Sneha Desai, associate general counsel, litigation; and Vincent Montalto, senior counsel, litigation. **

What does diversity mean to you? Why is it important in the workforce generally, and in legal departments specifically?