Inclusion at Lewis Rice

A Legacy of Inclusivity

When our founders, Joseph W. Lewis and Charles M. Rice, established the firm in 1909, their partnership challenged the norms of the time. In an era when law practices were often separated along religious lines, they brought together different faiths, educational paths, personalities, and work styles to build something lasting. That spirit of collaboration remains at the heart of our culture.

Living Our Values

Long before diversity and inclusion became standard language in the legal industry, Lewis Rice was putting those values into practice. We were one of the first major law firms in St. Louis to promote an African American attorney to full equity partner. Women have played key leadership roles at the firm for decades, including more than 30 years of representation on our Management Committee and leadership of departments and strategic initiatives.

Looking Ahead

We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals are respected, supported, and evaluated based on talent and performance. We welcome attorneys and staff of all backgrounds, including different races, genders, religions, abilities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic experiences.

This approach not only reflects who we are but also enhances the work we do for clients. The inclusive mindset established by our founders continues to shape the forward-thinking and collaborative firm we are today.