Inclusion

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
Amy Johnson, Co-chair, Inclusion & Belonging Committee
Valecia McDowell, Member, Management Committee; Co-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.

		Amy K. Johnson Co-chair, Member, Financial Services amyjohnson@mvalaw.com
		Valecia M. McDowell Co-chair, Member, Co-head of White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations valeciamcdowell@mvalaw.com

	Tom Mitchell, Chair, Management Committee		Luis Lluberas, Member, Financial Restructuring
	Neil Bloomfield, Member, Co-head, Financial Regulatory Advice & Response		James McDonald, DEI & Community Service Initiatives Manager
	Stephanie Dixon, Chief People Officer		Nader Raja, Member, Litigation
	Felicia Gardner, Member, Employee Benefits & Compensation		Meredith French Reedy, Member, Financial Services
	Stephanie Gryder, Human Resources Director - Professionals		Brennan Sheedy, Member, Financial Services
	Sangwan "Sonny" Ha, Member, Financial Services		Mary Katherine Stukes Head of Environmental
	Olivia Hasty Manager of New Associate Recruiting		Caroline Yingling, General Counsel
	Keisha Jeffries, Lateral Attorney Recruiting Manager