In honor of Bass, Berry & Sims being recognized by the Nashville Business Journal as a 2024 Leader in Diversity, the outlet published a Q&A with Lee Ashby Watts – the firm’s director of diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI). In the Q&A, Lee was asked the following questions about her DEI work at the firm:
- What’s been your biggest win from the past year? Biggest frustration?
- Tell us about a “lightbulb moment” you witnessed (or prompted) in the past year.
- What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your efforts, and how are you overcoming it?
In response to the question about her biggest win, Lee said “As a new leader at the firm, my biggest achievement so far has been the listening tour, which has given me the invaluable opportunity to meet with attorneys and professionals across our four offices. Engaging directly with my colleagues has allowed me to understand their unique experiences and perspectives, laying a solid foundation for our DEI initiatives.”
When asked about the greatest challenge, Lee mentioned “the need to consciously slow down and seek consensus and buy-in as we expand our DEI department and initiatives. There are moments when my inclination is to hasten toward solutions, yet I’ve learned that a more deliberate and balanced approach is essential for fostering trust and credibility within the firm.”
The full profile was published by the Nashville Business Journal on October 25 and is available online (subscription may be required). To watch a video of Lee’s full interview, click here. Bass, Berry & Sims will be recognized in the Outstanding Diverse Organization – Large Private Company category at the 2024 Leaders in Diversity awards breakfast to be held October 30.