Dan Heilman//October 6, 2022//
Stinson LLP
When she’s not busy with her labor and employment practice — and sometimes even when she is — Stinson LLP partner Amy Conway advocates for those whose voices aren’t always heard.
Conway often works on pro bono matters throughout Minnesota involving women and children. Since starting her practice, she has received the Minnesota State Bar Association’s North Star Lawyer award — which goes to attorneys who volunteer 50 hours or more of pro bono services to low-income clients — each year. She also co-chairs the firm’s pro bono committee and is a member of its diversity committee.
“I see from my clients how invested in these issues people are becoming,” said Conway. “I saw the businesses I represent doing good things, and I wanted to bring those ideas to our firm.”
Conway is also on the board of the Children’s Law Center of Minnesota, where she currently leads its diversity and inclusion initiatives. She also volunteers with Stinson’s Deinard Legal Clinic, handling difficult divorces for indigent women.
“Access to justice is something we struggle with, both in our country and in our profession,” she said. “Sometimes clients don’t know where to begin when they have a legal issue.”
Conway also works to encourage diversity and inclusion in her own firm. She was on Stinson’s Minneapolis Recruiting Committee from 2018 until last year. During that time, the diversity of Stinson’s summer associate class increased by 45%. She also played a role in the development of the firm’s Diversity Fellowship program, which works to remove barriers to “big law,” as well as helping to expand parental leave policies for attorneys.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve those programs,” she said.
She has developed and implemented anti-harassment training programs for clients, providing guidance to managers when it comes to working with employees reporting harassment claims and developing policies surrounding those issues.
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