NEW YORK, NY – The Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals (ALFDP) has named Barnes & Thornburg Partner Lindsey D.G. Dates as the association’s first outside legal counsel. As outside counsel, Dates will guide ALFDP on issues related to employment, antitrust, and other legal issues that may come before the Association.

“ALFDP will celebrate its twenty year anniversary in 2026, and the Association's leadership, under the guidance of former Executive Advisor Paulette Brown, recognized the need for the appointed legal counsel. The person selected had to be someone who could go toe to toe with the fiercest adversary, well-rounded with respect to their legal skill set, supported by a firm that was committed to ALFDP’s mission, and personally committed to DEI. Lindsey checked each box with a jumbo sharpie,” said J. Danielle Carr, Chief Inclusion Officer for Lowenstein Sandler LLP, who serves as President for the ALFDP Board of Directors.

Dates advises clients on commercial litigation matters, including breach of contract, class action, business tort, labor and employment, product liability, intellectual property, antitrust, real estate, and bankruptcy. He is the former chair of The Chicago Committee, an organization that seeks racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession. Dates is founding chair of the Don Hubert Scholars Program, which exposes young people to the legal profession through mock trial competitions at law firms in downtown Chicago. Additionally, Dates is the Board Chair for the C.H.A.M.P.S. mentorship program, which provides mentorship services throughout the Chicagoland area.

“I am honored to serve as ALFDP’s legal counsel and work with the Association’s leaderships to support their and the memberships’ mission of allowing those not typically represented in law to have a voice,” stated Dates.

The Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals (ALFDP) seeks to serve as a catalyst for the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession through the organization’s collective knowledge, vision, expertise, and advocacy in the area of law firm diversity. The organization’s Board of Directors is comprised of a group of experienced law firm diversity professionals who provide expertise and insight to ensure the organization is effective and impactful. More information is available on the association’s website at www.ALFDP.com.