Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announces that Leslie Richards-Yellen will join the firm as director of Global Diversity & Inclusion, effective August 24. She will be based in the firm’s New York City office.

“Our single-minded focus is in creating and sustaining a truly inclusive community of diverse professionals at all levels of our firm. Having spent time with Leslie, and seeing the depth of her experience, I know that she will help lead us further along that critical path. We are looking forward to her joining us,” said Presiding Partner Michael Blair.

“Building innovative and results-oriented programs that help law firms foster a more inclusive culture is a hallmark of my career,” said Ms. Richards-Yellen. “The opportunity to join Debevoise, which already has a strong foundation of purpose and achievement in this area, brings the potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact.”

Ms. Richards-Yellen was previously director of Inclusion-Americas at an international law firm, and before that she was partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at a national law firm, where she also chaired the diversity committee. Earlier in her career, Ms. Richards-Yellen worked as a finance attorney in law firms and at a financial services company. She received her B.F.A. from Drake University and her J.D. from Cornell University School of Law.