Riker Danzig LLP on Thursday announced that Jorge Sanchez, a partner, and Travis Francis, of counsel, have been named co-chairs of the firm’s Diversity Committee. Together, Sanchez and Francis will provide leadership in advancing the firm’s diversity and inclusion values.
An integral part of the Riker’s strategic vision and culture, the Diversity Committee consists of partners, counsel, associates and professional and administrative staff. Among its primary diversity initiatives are to improve the promotion, retention and professional growth of diverse attorneys, regularly educate the firm on diversity issues and cultivate a culture of inclusion.
Sanchez is a partner in Riker Danzig’s Commercial Litigation Group and has been an active member of its Diversity Committee for five years. He currently serves as a trustee of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and was recently inducted as a trustee of the Morris County Bar Foundation. His legal work focuses on banking litigation and title disputes.
Sanchez stated: “The firm collaborates with several affinity bar associations and we intend to continue expanding on those relationships as well as building on our efforts with other groups. I’m excited to bring an increased focus to these and other initiatives to foster connections and deepen the sense of belonging for all in our Riker family.”
Francis is of counsel at Riker Danzig and a member of the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commercial Litigation and Insurance groups. His career on the bench began in 1992 when he became the first African-American appointed as a judge to the New Jersey Superior Court, Middlesex County. He rose to presiding judge, general equity, and ultimately was appointed by former New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice James Zazzalli as the Middlesex County assignment judge.
Francis said: “Riker Danzig has a number of excellent programs in place to attract and recruit diverse law school students, judicial law clerks and lateral candidates. We intend to expend even more time and resources to make more inroads in these areas and continue to build on the progress we have made over the last several years. I look forward to playing a significant role in these initiatives.”
