Growing up in a single-parent home in upstate New York in the 1970s, Will Anthony remembers playing sports with his black friends and noticing how often they would be treated with disrespect.
He didn’t like it.
“I was with them when they were called different names or treated badly because of their race,’’ Anthony said. “Like anything that happens with your friends, it just kind of sticks with you. I always thought that if I was ever in a position to help — that I should.’’
Today, William J. Anthony, 47, is a partner with the Hartford law firm Jackson Lewis LLP. In his 21st year with the firm, he is a seasoned litigator, trying cases involving employment discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
He has burnished a reputation as someone cognizant and proactive in establishing a culture of diversity and inclusion in the legal community. Anthony’s commitment to Diversity has earned him the Hartford Business Journal’s 2010 Leadership — Individual Award.
“I think Will is a leader for diversity in our community,’’ said lawyer Tonya A. Bovee, a partner with Jackson Lewis. “He has a such a strong commitment to diversity and making sure that Connecticut’s legal community is becoming more diverse. He really played a huge role in diversifying our office. I think it’s his strong inherent belief that it’s the right thing to do.’’
Bovee, who is of Asian descent, joined the firm in 2004. One of the first people to reach out to her was Anthony. He encouraged Bovee to be a leader with the Connecticut Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the firm’s diversity committee.
But, Bovee said, Anthony also mentored her for a leadership role within Jackson Lewis, where she is now a partner.
“I really respect and appreciate Will as a person,’’ Bovee said. “He’s taken such an interest in my career and really helped me in my ability to practice law, as well as advance my career.’’
Anthony said diversity is more than just an altruistic endeavor. In a global economy and in a country in which people of color will one day become the majority population, an ethnically diverse workforce is an imperative — an asset that gives businesses a competitive edge.
“We have clients that insist that we have a diverse attorney base, and we have clients that are servicing a diverse world that want to make sure that our diversity reflects their customer base,’’ Anthony said.
The third of four children, Anthony was raised in upstate New York by mom Mary Elizabeth Anthony, a nurse, after father Nicholas Anthony died in 1970. Anthony graduated from Hamilton College in 1985 and Boston University in 1989. He and his wife Sheryl have 4 boys, ages 11 through 16.
One of Anthony’s best friends is attorney John Higgins, who works for Nixon Peabody in Albany. Higgins, who is African American, and Anthony grew up together in Troy. Their single moms both attended the same college. Higgins and Anthony, a former linebacker, both played college football for Hamilton College.
“He and I would have long, long discussions about diversity; diversity in the legal profession and what we can both do,’’ said Anthony, managing partner for Jackson Lewis’ Hartford office from 2000 to 2008.
The office’s demographics reflects Anthony’ s advocacy for inclusion: Of the 21 lawyers, 57 percent are women 24 percent are ethnic minorities. Of the 13 partners, 46 percent are women; 15 percent are ethnic minorities.
Anthony is keeping that promise he made as a kid, playing ball with blacks in Troy.
“It all comes from growing up in a lower income neighborhood, ‘’ he said. “No one focused on our differences because we were all in the same boat … We didn’t have much money.’’
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Position: Attorney, law firm partner
Company: Jackson Lewis LLP
Location: Hartford
Category: Leadership (Individual)
