Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Vicente LLP is committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, not only within our firm, but also within the industries we serve and society as a whole. We proudly and aggressively advocate for policies and programs aimed at advancing racial and social justice, promoting social equity in the cannabis industry, and repairing the harms caused by the war on drugs. We also partner with and support a variety of organizations that focus on addressing these issues. In December 2020, we were honored to receive the Black Cannabis Equity Initiative's "Beacon of Light Award," which recognizes companies that are "leading the way" on social equity issues in Colorado's cannabis industry.
POLICY PLATFORM
Our firm has formally adopted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy Platform of the Cannabis Trade Federation, of which Vicente LLP is a founding board member. It includes an expansive list of recommendations around:
- Economic and Workforce Development
- Creating Equitable Access to Ownership
- Government and Policy Matters
- Community Partnerships
- Criminal Justice Reform
The policy platform was developed by the CTF Board of Directors in conjunction with the CTF Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, a diverse collection of 27 leaders representing a broad range of political, policy, industry and operational experience. Members of the task force include NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson; National Urban League CEO Marc Morial; NAACP Vice Chair Karen Boykin-Towns; former U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo; former director of the Washington, D.C. ACLU office, Laura Murphy; former president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Wade Henderson; and Isiah Thomas, a former NBA player, coach and executive now serving as Vice Chair and CEO of One World Pharma.
ADVOCACY & PRO BONO
Vicente LLP has a long history of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through advocacy and pro bono work. Our primary areas of focus include reforming drug policies that disproportionately impact communities of color; repairing the damage caused by those laws; and supporting government and industry efforts to promote social equity in the cannabis industry.
In addition to advocating for cannabis social equity programs, we have provided free or reduced-cost legal services to qualified applicants who need help accessing and/or navigating them. We also partnered with a leading continuing legal education organization to establish a scholarship program that provides free training to other attorneys who wish to do the same.
Learn more about our advocacy and pro bono work here.
CEO, Verdant Medical Inc. / Former Boston City Councilor
"I'm a descendent of slaves. Cotton was the cash crop of our enslavement, and I believe that cannabis and hemp will be the cash crop of our freedom. And I would submit that Vicente LLP is a real partner when it comes to promoting diversity, equity, and real inclusion in this new industry."
Partner, Vicente Sederberg
"Vicente LLP firmly supports social equity and economic empowerment, and we are thrilled to support programs such as the MCLE Economic Empowerment Fund. By providing cannabis law training scholarships to other lawyers and business leaders who share this commitment, we can help reduce some of the barriers to entry into the legal cannabis industry.”
Founder, We Can Deliver
"This firm is opening a door for me. They're helping me qualify as a social equity applicant, working with me to obtain local approvals, and guiding me through the state application process. They are helping me because I want to help my community. They believe in my vision, they see it, and they're helping me execute."
Memberships & Partnerships
Vicente LLP has developed relationships with a number of organizations working to promote diversity and social equity in the cannabis industry, advance sensible policy reform, and right the wrongs caused by cannabis prohibition. Groups we have worked with or supported include:
