Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie has appointed Marredia Crawford as its new Chief Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Officer.

Based in Houston, Marredia will play a pivotal role in ensuring that Baker McKenzie’s global strategy is centred around creating better experiences for all of its people, better outcomes for clients and sustainable change in the industry. In this role, she will join the firm’s global leadership team and will lead its efforts to create an environment committed to respect and empowerment for all, working with practice and industry groups and local teams around the world.

Inclusion, diversity and equity is a cornerstone of Baker McKenzie. As the firm embarks on a new chapter with Marredia at the helm of its inclusion, diversity and equity endeavours, it reaffirms its commitment to creating an environment that celebrates differences and empowers every individual.

Commenting on Marredia’s appointment, Milton Cheng, Global Chair, Baker McKenzie, said: “Marredia has played a crucial role in our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as a firm in recent years, and helped to drive enormous progress, particularly in North America. She has a proven track record of leadership and a deep-rooted passion for enacting positive, lasting change, and I look forward to the ongoing impact she and the wider ID&E team will undoubtedly make in the years ahead.”

Marredia Crawford has been with Baker McKenzie since 2018, creating a more inclusive workplace for lawyers and business professionals alike, which has been recognized both internally and externally. Over the past year alone, she has driven the successful Lawyers of Colour Conference in North America, worked to embed ID&E throughout the practice groups, and focused on recruiting, retaining, and promoting talent and supporting underrepresented groups. Prior to Baker McKenzie, Marredia’s experience includes nearly 10 years at Bracewell LLP, and also multiple external volunteer and board memberships, including with the Girl’s Empowerment Network, Women’s Business Alliance, PolicChic Engagement Fund and the Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals.

Kirsty Wilson, Global Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee Chair: “I am delighted that Marredia is our new Chief Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Officer – I know she will make an enormous positive impact on Baker McKenzie truly being a more inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace.”

Crawford said: “I’m very excited about taking on this pivotal role at Baker McKenzie, as the firm prepares to celebrate its 75th year in operation. Our collective strength as a firm lies in our depth of talent and inherently global perspective, making us genuinely multicultural and authentically global. It's my aspiration to harness these strengths to guide us forward.”