DEI Committee Mission Statement

Buckingham is dedicated to increasing diversity among its attorneys and staff to improve the practice of law internally and throughout the community.  Building a diverse workforce is not achieved in a moment.  It requires a sustained commitment, concerted effort and the time and attention of all of us.  Our Firm is striving to continue to create an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity in order to better serve our clients.  Buckingham believes that to be a strong Firm, we need to have a diverse table with people bringing ideas from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

A Message from our Managing Partner

Together we can achieve more

At Buckingham, we believe DEI drives innovation and plays an important role in being successful. Having individuals with a wide range of experiences can help generate new ideas about services and practices.  Our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity is an important part of our culture at Buckingham.  We recognize that providing exceptional service to our clients can best be accomplished in a thriving, diverse workplace.  We are committed to strengthening diversity within our Firm through diversity-related education and training opportunities, and also by recruiting and retaining the finest talent from all backgrounds, perspectives and abilities. Promoting diversity is an integral part of our mission to strive for excellence as individuals and as a Firm.

Diversity, equity and inclusion will continue to be key areas of focus at Buckingham as we continuously drive the progress of these critical concepts. We are a place where different perspectives are not only accepted, but celebrated.

We are one Buckingham, comprised of many individuals with unique perspectives and experiences to best serve our clients, our employees and our communities.

-Steve Dimengo

Managing Partner Video

Buckingham’s DEI Committee:

Christina Williams, Associate, Diversity Committee Co-Chair

Scott Cerny, Paralegal

Katie DeFino, Associate

Erin Dickinson, Of Counsel

Steve Dimengo, Managing Partner

Nick George, Partner

Jamie Grippi, Paralegal

Derrick Haines, Partner

Lou Maglione, CFO/COO

Michelle Manley, Canton Receptionist

Caytie Matti, Director of Human Resources and Talent Sucess

Hannah Mink, Law Clerk

Chris Niekamp, Partner

Sara Pakrashi, Director of Business Development

Carmen Roberto, Of Counsel

Ellison Starnes, Associate

Heather Steele, Associate

Jenn Venuto, Strategic Event Manager and Marketing Specialist

Dustin Vrabel, Partner

Recent Initiatives & Events

• Working with diverse student groups at several area law schools
• Attended Akron Urban League’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
• Sponsored MLK Power Love Justice weekend
• Conducted firm-wide annual DEI training (past topics include implicit bias, generational diversity, etc.)

Equal Employment Opportunity

Buckingham is committed to fostering a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.  It is the policy of our firm to provide equal employment opportunity at all times without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran or military status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.  Click here for our EEOC Policy Statement.

Additional Information

For more information about our firm’s DEI efforts, please contact Steve Dimengo, Buckingham’s Managing Partner, or Christina Williams, Chair of Buckingham’s DEI Committee.

Steve Dimengo: [email protected] or 330.258.6460

Christina Williams: [email protected] or 216.736.4234