Radhika “Ronnie” Raju Named Chief Diversity Partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer

WASHINGTON, DC — Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP (WBK) is pleased to announce that Radhika “Ronnie” Raju has been appointed the firm’s Chief Diversity Partner, effective immediately. Ronnie is a seasoned leader with a track record of championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work at WBK.

Ronnie started her legal career as a registered patent attorney at an Intellectual Property boutique firm and then as in-house counsel for a specialty adhesive and sealant company.  She then moved to the USPTO as a Trademark Examining Attorney and immediately discovered her fascination with brand development. At WBK, Ronnie has represented clients spanning a broad cross-section of industries, from non-profit organizations and small businesses to national and global manufacturers and distributors. She also serves as head of the firm’s pro bono committee and is on the District of Columbia Courts’ 2021 Pro Bono Honor Roll.

In her new role, Ronnie will focus on maintaining a respectful, inclusive, safe work culture and environment while improving the recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention of a workforce representing the United States. She will continue the critical work of the Mansfield Certification through Diversity Labs, which aims to increase diversity in leadership pipelines within mid-size law firms. Participating in the inaugural cohort of 26 midsized law firms, WBK completed an 18-month pilot certification process with built-in measurement, transparency, and accountability and is now one of 16 firms that achieved Mansfield Certified Plus status for 2020-2022.

“We are so pleased that Ronnie will lead our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” said Managing Partner Bryan Tramont. “We are deeply committed to these values and continue to build on our Mansfield Certification to ensure that we are shaping our workplace to maximize the contributions of all of our team. In addition to being a skilled practitioner and wonderful colleague, Ronnie has a long track record of thoughtful and enlightened commitment to these goals. We look forward to her guidance as we take these values to the next level.”

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build on WBK’s DEI efforts,” said Ronnie Raju. “We have already shown leadership in this space by being in the first cohort of mid-size law firms to achieve a Mansfield Certified Plus status designation and being instrumental in forming the FCBA Diversity Pipeline program. I look forward to helping the firm as it continues to foster a culture that values diversity and inclusion as core values to ensure an equitable work environment for all employees.”

Learn more about WBK’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion here.