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James A.
Lewis, V

Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer |He/Him/His

Office 201.525.6334
Cell 201.284.9473
Email jalewis@coleschotz.com
Caroline De Courcey |Legal Practice Assistant
201.489.3000 ext. 5020
cdecourcey@coleschotz.com
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James A. Lewis, V is the firm’s inaugural Chief Diversity Equity & Inclusion Officer.

 

Known for his deep experience developing and implementing DEI programs in the public, non-profit and legal sectors, James serves as a thought leader in best practices in advancing diversity internally within the firm, and externally throughout the legal industry by virtue of education, collaboration, and intentional initiatives.  Additionally, James heads the firm’s DEI Committee which creates and promotes equitable policies, develops networking and educational activities, and supports the firm’s expansive mentorship and sponsorship impact.

Through his nearly decade long experience as an employment attorney, James leverages his expertise in employment law compliance and litigation of federal, state, and administrative matters, to inform his role as an adviser and driver of DEI.  With this unique lens, James serves as a leader in the legal community and beyond.  James’ DEI leadership includes his prior service as the Executive Director for the New York Bar Association, Office of Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging. In that role, James provided trainings on implicit bias,  best practices in employee onboarding and employee feedback to organizations, which included AmLaw 200 law firms and government agencies.

James is a sought-after speaker and is frequently called upon to discuss diversity and employment matters, including building and sustaining inclusive workspaces, fostering allyship and combatting invidious discrimination.  James is regularly published in connection with his insights as it relates to the evolution of DEI and workplace matters in the legal field. For his service, James has received a number of awards, honors and distinctions. In 2022, James was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as a “New Leader of the Bar,” which recognizes professionals under the age of 40 across law firms, corporate legal departments, or other organizations in the New Jersey legal community for their notable achievements and outstanding potential. They are selected based on their development of the law, advocacy and community contributions, service to the bar as well as peer and public recognition.

 

Networks & Affiliations

  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  • American Bar Association
  • Garden State Bar Association (President-Elect)
  • Hispanic Bar Association
  • Kismet of Kings (Board Member)
  • National Bar Association
  • New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment Project (Advisory Board Member)
  • New Jersey Law Journal Young Lawyer Advisory Board
  • New Jersey State Bar Association (Past Board Member)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee (Former Member)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Jury Selection in Civil and Criminal Trials (Member)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court, District Ethics Committee (VB) (Former Member)
  • New York City Bar Association
  • The Ethical Community Charter School (Board Member)

Honors & Awards

  • New Jersey Law Journal, New Leader of the Bar (2022)
  • The National Black Lawyers Top 100 (2022)
  • National Bar Association – 40 Under 40 Award (2021)
  • New Jersey State Bar Association – Young Lawyer Award (2021)
  • Garden State Bar Association – Young Lawyer Award (2020)
  • Professional Lawyer of the Year Award (2019)
  • Firm News
  • Webinars + Events
  • Awards + Recognitions

Firm News

  1. 01

    On the Move & After Hours: Gordon Rees; Norris McLaughlin; Goldberg Segalla; Capehart Scatchard; Cole Schotz

    October 14, 2022 | New Jersey Law Journal
  2. 02

    Leaders of the Bar 2022

    September 26, 2022 | Law.com
  3. 03

    New Jersey Legal Awards: Honorees Announced

    August 11, 2022 | New Jersey Law Journal
  4. 04

    Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson as Supreme Court pick

    February 28, 2022
  5. 05

    Cove, Baupost sell Hudson Commons for $1 billion

    December 20, 2021 | Real Estate Weekly
News + Insights

Webinars + Events

  1. 01

    New Jersey State Bar Association 2023 Annual Meeting and Convention

    May 17, 2023 | NJSBA
  2. 02

    Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Meadowlands Seminar 2022

    November 17, 2022 | New Jersey Association for Justice
  3. 03

    Labor and Employment Symposium

    October 25, 2022
  4. 04

    Clashing Rights – When Workers Right Collide and Reverse Discrimination

    October 25, 2022 | NJICLE
  5. 05

    Diversity Matters

    September 21, 2022 | NJICLE
  6. 06

    Inclusive Excellence Summit

    August 27, 2022
  7. 07

    The Promise and Hope of Juneteenth

    June 20, 2022 | Garden State Bar Association
  8. 08

    Is it Over Yet? – Competence, Diligence and Self Preservation in 2022 (An Ethics Program)

    June 16, 2022 | NJICLE
  9. 09

    2022 Annual Meeting and Convention

    May 18, 2022 | New Jersey State Bar Association
News + Insights

Awards + Recognitions

  1. 01

    Cole Schotz Announces Recipient of 2022 Diversity Scholarship

    September 9, 2022
  2. 02

    Cole Schotz Lawyers and Chief DEI Officer Recognized as New Leaders of the Bar by New Jersey Law Journal

    August 11, 2022
  3. 03

    Cole Schotz Appoints First Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer

    March 21, 2022
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