Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion are not just words, they are the hallmarks of our Firm, representing the values and principles of tolerance, mutual respect and integrity that we bring to our personal and professional lives. Our Firm is comprised of attorneys and staff with multi-faceted backgrounds because, at Genova Burns, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to delivering unparalleled service, on every level.

Current Initiatives

Genova Burns believes that diversity and inclusion are essential to delivering unparalleled service on every level, and our firm reflects that with a composition of attorneys and staff from multi-faceted backgrounds. Diversity encompasses a wide range of exceptional characteristics and experiences, including people of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, genders, national origins, ages, religions, sexual orientations, and disabilities. This Initiative is dedicated to ensuring that we maintain a diverse workforce, and help the legal industry improve its promotion of the best lawyers from a wide range of backgrounds.

The DE&I Committee will spearhead a number of firm initiatives including: programming with the Rutgers Association of Black Law Students; firm-wide mentoring of diverse associates; in-house counsel mentoring of diverse associates; speaker series; sponsorship of diverse organizations; and social events that emphasize our shared diversity.

Taking a page from our commitment to our colleagues supporting and funding participation in the New Jersey Women’s Lawyers Association and like bar associations devoted to the professional development of women and minority lawyers, we will be expanding our role in such organizations.

In addition to these outreach programs and investments, we are enthused by the prospect of developing internal programs and mentorship opportunities, creating internal professional resource support, extending invitations to others outside the firm to weigh in and educate us on the challenges and opportunities an active and meaningful DE & I initiative entails and establishing other programs to recruit and retain colleagues and staff consistent with our DE & I objectives.

Current Initiatives

Committee Chairs

Ms. Borek champions for diversity and inclusion within the ranks of the Firm as well as in her personal life. As a female partner with children she understands the struggles of women and minorities in the workplace and at home. She sits on the board of Partners for Women and Justice and works tirelessly to defend the rights of Women and Minorities.

Diversity Committee Spotlight

Photo of Gerard D. Pizzillo

Gerard D. Pizzillo, Partner

Gerard D. Pizzillo, Partner, focuses on all aspects of Commercial Real Estate throughout New York and New Jersey. He handles Corporate Law & Business Transactions, Commercial Real Estate & Redevelopment and Land Use & Approvals. He has represented numerous real estate and corporate entities in all aspects of transactional real estate, development and commercial legal issues.
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