Our Mission
We are taking our efforts to the next level at Hinshaw as we double down on our commitment to diversity and expand our initiatives throughout the firm. We believe that a successful diversity and inclusion program requires intentionality across three initiatives—attorney development, relationship building and civic engagement. Our attorney development is aimed at making our diverse attorneys the best in their field. Our relationship building helps form bonds of trust that make our teams stronger and more inclusive. Our civic engagement enables us to be leaders and agents of change in our respective communities. Hinshaw understands that diversity and inclusion cannot be successful in isolation.
Diversity Committee
Our Diversity Committee is comprised of key stakeholders across the firm—Management Committee Members, Associate Hiring Chairs, Affinity Group Leaders, Practice Group Leaders and Partners in Charge. Diversity Committee members collaborate on a regular basis to review and ensure the advancement of our three-fold Diversity & Inclusion initiatives at Hinshaw.
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Diversity & Inclusion Spotlight
Spencer Kook took time to speak with us about his inspirations, his hidden talents, and advice on how to become a successful attorney. In addition, he may have mentioned a little bit of his 90's fashion sense.
Spencer is a member of the Executive Committee Diversity Committee, Managing Partner of the Downtown Los Angeles office, and the newly-appointed member of the Board of Directors at Imagine Project – LA's new and only Equity theatre dedicated entirely to programming for children.
What or who inspired you to become a lawyer?
My father. He was basically an orphan for most of his life in Korea. He came to the states with next to nothing. He worked numerous odd-end jobs from being a restaurant bus-boy, waiter and dishwasher, a part-time editorial writer in a Korean newspaper, and an inspector at a machine shop. He then finally found his place in the law, first as a court interpreter, and then as a lawyer after having earned a JD by going through night school and passing the bar when he was 59 years old. His work in the law created a natural interest for me. More importantly, his dogged determination to improve his place in life and unwavering constancy to take care of those he loved, including me, is a source of continual inspiration to me. My becoming a lawyer is my way of honoring him and picking up where he left off.
As an ethnically diverse lawyer, what advice would you give to ethnically diverse law students about entering this profession?
Get connected. Find ways to make connections with those in your work life. Making those connections will help bridge any differences that might exist in your working relationship with partners and your peers. Further, bonding with those you work with will help make the practice more enjoyable. As much as we may love the practice, our profession is not always an easy or enjoyable one. Being connected at work will help provide support, both practical and emotional, for those tougher times. Finally, insofar as there is an interest in professional advancement, making those connections with superiors and peers – as well as doing great work – is essential.
What would be one thing that your fellow colleagues would be surprised to learn about you?
I was part of a hip hop dance group in high school and I wore MC Hammer pants. No, there's no existing video footage of any dance battles.
What was the best professional advice you received?
Take initiative. As younger attorneys, we are very much order-takers. We move busily from one project to the next in the never-ending list of projects handed down by a more senior attorney. At some point, it is important to take initiative and determine what needs to be done on a case and suggest those action items to the partners with whom you work. The sooner you transcend over being just an order-taker, the sooner you will be trusted to handle more responsibility and become a more valued member of the firm.
This advice also applies to business development. It is never too early (or too late) to take the initiative to do things that will help you develop business.
