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November 12, 2022

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English to oversee expanding diversity and support initiatives that positively impact community

PHOENIX – Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Ray English has joined the firm as its Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). In this role, English will oversee the firm’s commitment to expanding and promoting diversity, fostering an inclusive culture, and supporting initiatives that positively impact the greater community. 

“We are excited for Ray to join our leadership as our new Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. His exceptional experience and thought leadership on law firm diversity will strengthen Snell & Wilmer’s DEI efforts,” said Barb Dawson, partner at Snell & Wilmer and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. 

English brings to the role three decades of experience in the legal profession, including public service, leadership in higher education, and DEI-focused consulting. Prior to joining Snell & Wilmer, English was the Assistant Dean of Career Services and Professor of Practice at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. He attended Wentworth Military Junior College and was recognized as a Distinguished Military Graduate, receiving a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve. English received his Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University and Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law, where he graduated cum laude. English served six years as a Staff Judge Advocate in the U.S. Air Force. Upon leaving the military, English was an Assistant Professor of Law teaching criminal law and litigation skills at the Appalachian School of Law. English then moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he was the attorney/policy advisor for the Atlanta City Council and the Managing Director for a national legal staffing firm. Thereafter, he served as the Associate Director of Career Services at Georgia State University College of Law. 

English has a longstanding commitment to improving DEI in the legal profession, including serving on the Arizona Judicial Council's Commission on Diversity, Equality and Justice in the Judiciary and nationwide speaking engagements on issues such as implicit bias, racism, and inclusion. In addition, he has been appointed to serve on the National Association of Law Placement (NALP) Board of Directors, elected to the NALP Nominating Committee, and selected to present at the NALP Annual Education Conference on numerous occasions. 

DEI is intertwined with life and business at Snell & Wilmer and pursued with the same urgency, sincerity, and eye on sustainability as any other firm commitment. Over 50 percent of the firm’s attorneys identify as diverse, including women, racial minorities, LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, and veterans. 

“Ray’s leadership and insight will enhance our efforts in recruiting, developing, retaining, and promoting diverse attorneys and fostering an inclusive and equitable culture. We all look forward to collaborating with him on important DEI initiatives that will impact our clients, our firm, and the communities in which we live and serve,” said Snell & Wilmer Chief Talent Officer Kristen Hulse. 

About Snell & Wilmer 

Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 450 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.