Members of the firm’s Diversity Committee host a conversation with Simon Tam.
PHILADELPHIA – In celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2021, Stradley Ronon attorneys Deborah Hong and Brian P. Seaman hosted and moderated the virtual event entitled, “The Intersection of Arts, Activism & the Law - A Conversation with Simon Tam” on May 11.
During the presentation, Simon Tam, author, musician, speaker and founder of The Slants Foundation, shared the story of how his trademark battle took him all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, how he unexpectedly became a racial justice activist, and how he dedicates his life to helping expand civil liberties for diverse people across the nation. The event also featured a music performance from guitarist, filmmaker, and Vice Chair of The Slants Foundation, Joe X. Jiang.
Hong focuses her practice on corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital transactions, joint ventures, and corporate restructurings and reorganizations. She is a recipient of the National Diversity Council’s “Leadership Excellence in the Law Award” and the “PA Most Powerful and Influential Women Award.” Hong has received Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar: Philadelphia’s Top Lawyers” and “40 Under 40” recognition. She has also been recognized by The Legal Intelligencer’s “Diverse Attorneys of the Year” and “Lawyers on the Fast Track.” She currently serves on the Leadership Advisory Council of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania, the Multicultural Advisory Board of Bryn Mawr Trust, and the Board of Directors of the Main Line Chamber of Commerce. Hong is also a member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association as well as The Forum of Executive Women.
Seaman serves as Stradley Ronon’s Chief Diversity Officer, leading the firm-wide inclusion and equity initiatives. Over the last five years, Seaman has orchestrated the design and implementation of the firm’s diversity and inclusion strategies and has helped to chart a multi-year roadmap for Stradley Ronon to develop best practices. Seaman regularly acts as a resource to the board of directors and other key members of firm leadership on diversity issues. He collaborates with Stradley Ronon’s clients to ensure the firm’s diversity initiatives are aligned with client inclusion goals. Seaman is also an integral part of the firm’s efforts to recruit, promote, retain diverse attorneys, and help redesign Stradley Ronon’s hiring process to reduce bias. Seaman continues his work outside of the firm, where he is heavily involved with organizations dedicated to equity and inclusion and is regularly sought out for his perspective on innovative approaches to diversity questions.
About Stradley Ronon
Counseling clients since 1926, Stradley Ronon has helped private and public companies – from small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations – achieve their goals by providing pragmatic, value-driven legal counsel. With offices in seven strategic locations, our responsive team of more than 200 attorneys seamlessly addresses the full spectrum of our clients’ needs, ranging from sophisticated corporate transactions to complex commercial litigation.