Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
With there being a more diverse ethnic population in the United States, it is vital to provide a legal community that is a direct representation of that diversity.
Creating a diverse legal community
We believe in the value of all individuals – independent of their race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, age or socioeconomic background.
Our mission is to create an industry that can be evidenced as impartial and fair, so that nobody is excluded. Because of this we are passionate about contributing to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in a way that changes legal policies and law for the better.
Nieves IP is a 100% minority owned business. Acknowledging the innate value of each person, we are committed to fostering communication, understanding, and respect among people of all races, religions, ages, genders, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, national origins, medical conditions or disabilities, and marital, veteran or family statuses within the legal community.
We are passionate about contributing to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in a way that transforms the legal community for the benefit of all. We also acknowledge that this is a long-term and continuous effort requiring a multi-faceted approach that should include consideration and action at law school, attorney, and judicial branch. Equally important, if not even more important, is the way that such efforts are received by the community. Therefore, Nieves IP also is committed to engaging with the community to explain and introduce such transformation so that it may be well received and utilized.
Law School Level
Nieves IP’s founder, Peter Nieves, had the honor of serving as a member of the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law Dean’s Advisory Board on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where over a 9-month period the board, which included alumni, students, and members of the law school, developed a 26-page strategic plan committed to racial justice and equality. The plan is currently being implemented by the law school.
Having personally struggled with affording law school and understanding the need for additional funds to assist minority students, Nieves IP’s founder also created the UNH Diversity Equity and Inclusion Scholarship at UNH Law in cooperation with the law school. Each year certain students are awarded the scholarship in the hopes of easing the financial strain of law school tuition while increasing diversity within the legal community.
Attorney Level
Nieves IP’s founder, Peter Nieves, engages with passionate attorneys within the legal community to actively and cooperatively address the need for increased attorney diversity within the legal community. One joint effort focused on increasing attorney diversity where attorney Nieves has had the honor of serving is the NH 1L Diversity Internship Program (https://nhdiversity1lprogram.com). Another joint attorney effort is the NH Access to Justice Commission, where Attorney Nieves is a board member.
Attorney Nieves also is actively proposing changes that will hopefully make it easier for attorneys in good-standing, who are licensed to practice law outside of New Hampshire, to provide pro bono legal support for underprivileged minorities who are seeking legal representation from attorneys having similar ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Judicial Branch
Nieves IP’s founder, Peter Nieves, has the honor of being on the Advisory Board to the New Hampshire Judicial Branch Steering Committee on Diversity & Inclusion, which is focused on the development of a strategic plan and work groups for addressing any disparities in the judiciary specific to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The Advisory Board actively engages with the New Hampshire judiciary in a joint effort to not only derive the strategic plan, but also to implement the plan and ensure engagement with the community for maximum beneficial impact.
Nieves IP believes that it is important to remain active at all three levels in the hopes of accelerating diversity within the legal community, as well as acceptance by the community at large.