In June 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill to make Juneteenth an official federal holiday, marking the end of slavery in the United States. Following this historic moment, many Biglaw firms decided to recognize Juneteenth as a holiday, allowing their employees time to reflect on issues of racial injustice in America.
Several law firms, such as Akerman, Akin Gump, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, and others, have declared Juneteenth a holiday, offering their employees either half or full days off to commemorate the day. This gesture not only allows employees to reflect on the legacy of slavery but also sends a powerful signal from the firm’s leadership that this is an important issue.
While these firms have taken the initiative to recognize Juneteenth, there are still many more law firms in the country, including those in the Am Law 100, Am Law 200, and elite boutiques. It remains to be seen where these firms stand on recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday.
To gather more information on this topic, a poll has been conducted to determine if law firms have declared Juneteenth as a paid holiday. You can participate in the survey by contacting the Above the Law team via email, text message, or social media. Your input will help shed light on how law firms across the country are approaching this important issue.
Staci Zaretsky, a senior editor at Above the Law, is leading this initiative and encourages readers to share their thoughts, questions, and feedback. You can reach out to her via email, Twitter, or LinkedIn to contribute to the ongoing conversation about Juneteenth and its significance in the legal industry. Your input is valuable in understanding how law firms are addressing racial justice and historical awareness within their organizations.