Moore & Van Allen fosters a culture of belonging at our firm and in the many communities we serve. Inclusion, one of the firm's shared values, is embraced and promoted across the firm. MVA does this work because we know that the different experiences and perspectives of our attorneys and staff enable us to better serve our clients.
Message from Leadership
We remain steadfast in our belief that in order to achieve the best outcomes we must remain open and supportive of all of our lawyers and employees. We are proud to support a culture where we work hard to welcome, value, and listen to everyone.
Tom Mitchell, Chair, Management Committee
Valecia McDowell, Member, Management Committee; Chair, Inclusion & Belonging Committee
Stephanie Dixon, Chief People Officer
Highlights
- Moore & Van Allen provides associates, counsel, and staff attorneys with up to 100 hours of billable credit on an annual basis for pro bono legal services, client development, recruiting, engagement and mentoring activities.
- The firm regularly hosts cultural celebrations open to all employees. These efforts offer an opportunity to increase cultural awareness among attorneys and staff and also serve as an opportunity to foster deeper connections among one another. Additionally, the firm hosts an annual event in honor of Charlotte Civil Rights Attorney Julius Chambers which gives recognition to other civil rights champions like South Carolina Judge Matthew Perry, Jr. who have helped to increase opportunity both within the legal industry and broader community.
- Moore & Van Allen was the first Carolina-based law firm to join the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA) when the effort was established in 2020. LFAA is committed to leveraging the resources of the private bar in partnership with legal services organizations to amplify the voices of communities and individuals oppressed by racism.
- We are proud to serve as a recurring sponsor and participant of the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade, Charlotte’s largest street festival and annual parade.
- 24 law firm leaders, including MVA Chair Tom Mitchell, formed the Carolinas Social Impact Initiative, now known as the Charlotte Legal Initiative to Mobilize Businesses (CLIMB), to support business entities.
- Moore & Van Allen is a sponsor of the annual North Carolina Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Gala in Charlotte. In 2025, for the ninth consecutive year, MVA earned a top score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report administered by the HRC.
- Moore & Van Allen achieved Mansfield Certification Plus designation to ensure opportunities for advancement and leadership.
- The Daily Report and Law.com named Moore & Van Allen as a Diversity Initiative Finalist for the 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
- Moore & Van Allen was named a finalist for the 2024 Chambers USA Awards in the DEI: Outstanding Firm category.
- Moore & Van Allen named one of North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s inaugural Empowering Women award winners
Recruiting
Moore & Van Allen is committed to recruiting and developing lawyers and staff across a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. Working closely with the firm’s Management, Inclusion & Belonging and Recruitment committees we have adopted several initiatives to enhance the firm's outreach to highly qualified candidates.
Inclusion Statement
Together We Can Do More
At Moore & Van Allen, representation extends beyond traditional legal services to help our clients achieve their goals. Our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging at our firm and in the many communities we serve directly advances this mission. We strive to build a team where different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are not only embraced but celebrated. Only then can people bring their authentic selves to work and deliver the best outcomes for our clients. Our commitment to inclusion and togetherness is not just a business imperative but a core value.
Committee
The purpose of MVA's Inclusion & Belonging Committee is to raise awareness and foster understanding and appreciation of the different perspectives, backgrounds and cultures represented within MVA and among the clients and communities we serve. One of MVA's core values is inclusion and we are committed to respecting and valuing different perspectives and lived experiences in our workplace, and this committee is charged with supporting our attorneys and staff as we live into our shared inclusion value.
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Tom Mitchell, |
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Luis Lluberas, Member, Financial Restructuring |
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Neil Bloomfield, |
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James McDonald, |
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Stephanie Dixon, Chief People Officer |
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Nader Raja, Member, Litigation |
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Felicia Gardner, Member, Employee Benefits & Compensation |
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Meredith French Reedy, Member, Financial Services |
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Stephanie Gryder, Human Resources Director - Professionals |
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Brennan Sheedy, Member, Financial Services |
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Sangwan "Sonny" Ha, Member, Financial Services |
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Mary Katherine Stukes |
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Olivia Hasty Manager of New Associate Recruiting |
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Caroline Yingling, General Counsel |
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Keisha Jeffries, |
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Belonging Groups
MVA’s Belonging Groups are voluntary groups that encourage and support an inclusive workplace to ensure that all of our attorneys and employees have an opportunity to be heard, valued, and engaged. Recognizing that fostering a culture of inclusion is essential to creating belonging, groups regularly host events and activities to celebrate community across the firm.
Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association (APALA)
APALA provides a platform for all the firm’s lawyers to support community and professional organizations and develop opportunities to collaborate on matters that impact Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian legal professionals. The group is led by Nader Raja and Sonny Ha.
Black Attorney Resource Group (BARG)
BARG provides opportunities for all the firm’s attorneys to foster relationships; encourage and celebrate the leadership, achievements, and interests of Black lawyers within the firm and the broader community; and partner on ways to be a resource to others. The group is led by Jules Carter.
Hispanic and Latino Lawyers Association (HaLLA)
HaLLA provides opportunities for all the firm’s attorneys to create community and encourage and celebrate the achievements, leadership, and interests of Hispanic and Latino attorneys within the firm and the broader Hispanic and Latino community. The group is led by Raquel Macgregor Pearkes.
MVA Pride
MVA Pride provides opportunities for all the firm’s lawyers and staff to celebrate the accomplishments and support the interests of LGBTQ+ employees within the firm and community at large. The group is led by Jonathan Murray.
Women of Moore & Van Allen (WoMVA)
WoMVA provides a platform for all the firm’s attorneys and non-legal professionals to create community; encourage and celebrate the achievements, leadership, and interests of women within the firm and the broader community; and identify ways to be a resource to others. The group is led by Meredith Reedy and Mary Katherine Stukes.
MVA Veterans
MVA Veterans creates opportunities for all the firm’s lawyers and staff to create community, be a resource of support for local organizations, and to celebrate the veteran community both within and outside the firm. The group is led by John Allen.
MVA Next Gen *Coming Soon*
MVA Next Gen will provide an opportunity for all the firm’s attorneys to foster relationships; encourage and celebrate the achievements, leadership and interests of first-generation legal professionals within the firm; and identify ways to be a resource to others.