Kia Scipio Joins Ropes & Gray as Director of Diversity and Inclusion

Ropes & Gray announced today that Kia Scipio has joined the firm as its Director of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I). With almost 20 years of experience in D&I, training and development, and recruiting, Ms. Scipio will lead a robust D&I program at the 1,400-lawyer global firm.

“We are excited for Kia Scipio to join Ropes & Gray, where diversity and inclusion are essential elements of our culture,” said Julie Jones, chair-elect of the firm. “Diversity enriches the workplace for everyone, and our clients benefit when we offer the perspectives of individuals from varied backgrounds and experiences. Kia brings fresh energy and ideas and a track record of accomplishment and will help us to continue to strengthen our talent base.”

Ms. Scipio most recently headed up D&I at Fish & Richardson, and she also has led attorney and professional development programs at two other top-100 firms.

Ms. Scipio’s arrival at Ropes & Gray caps a series of investments in innovative D&I programs, including:

• Roger Fairfax, professor and former associate dean at The George Washington University Law School, is consulting the firm for a year as a diversity advisor and scholar-in-residence.
• The Roscoe Trimmier Jr. Diversity Scholarship, honoring the memory of the firm’s first African-American partner, provides a scholarship and summer associate position to outstanding second-year law students from populations historically underrepresented in the legal profession.
• The Diane Patrick Attorney Advancement Fund, honoring the firm’s retired partner and former First Lady of Massachusetts, supports the professional development of diverse associates.

“I am excited to join a firm that is making a sustained commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Ms. Scipio. “Our clients function in a diverse global environment and expect their legal advisors to reflect that diversity. Ropes & Gray has launched outstanding and sophisticated programs, which we will look to build upon and enhance. I look forward to working with the firm’s great team to recruit and develop the best talent and nurture a vibrant, diverse culture.”

Previously in her career, Ms. Scipio oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts in the Office of Career Strategy at Georgetown University Law Center and served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and University of Baltimore School of Law. She has a JD from The George Washington University Law School and a BA from Spelman College.

At Ropes & Gray, diversity is an essential part of the firm’s identity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of professionals of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations and family structures. We see our individual differences as an asset that enhances the quality of life for each of us and strengthens what we can accomplish as a firm.