New York, NY (July 1, 2014) -- The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) today announced Proskauer Rose LLP, a top global law firm providing an array of legal services worldwide has become the first law firm to join the organization’s national corporate membership.  

NMSDC is a leading corporate membership organization with over 1,750 members, representing America’s largest companies, universities, hospitals, and other buying institutions.   For over 40 years, it has been the premier minority supplier development organization leading efforts to increase procurement and growth opportunities for minority business enterprises (MBEs). 

“We applaud and welcome Proskauer to the organization, and will support their efforts to increase engagement with a diverse supplier base,” said NMSDC president Joset Wright-Lacy.  “We hope that more law firms will follow Proskauer’s example.  The U.S. Legal Services industry has annual revenue over $250 billion and offers numerous opportunities to work with minority-owned businesses, which represent nearly one-quarter of all U.S. firms.”

As a national corporate member, Proskauer gains access to best practices and tools for implementing a supplier diversity program capable of supporting their procurement needs; and an unrivaled database of highly-qualified. nationally-certified MBEs.  NMSDC has certified over 12,000 Asian, Black, Hispanic, and Native American owned businesses and assisted member corporations/buying organizations in sourcing MBE’s who offer needed products and services.  

“Our commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in all matters related to the firm is stronger than ever.   Joining the National Minority Supplier Development Council will help us expand our efforts to engage greater varieties of suppliers, support more communities and play a role in continuing to build the global economy,” said Peter Wilson, Jr., Proskauer’s diversity and inclusion officer.   

The nation’s focus on diversity in the supply chain has been illuminated in recent years, given minority businesses are engines of job creation and play a vital role in the economy recovery.  NMSDC offers members learning opportunities, platforms, and solutions for connecting with the right MBEs for their business.