Jake McMillian Joins Dickinson Wright as its Director of Diversity and Inclusion
- McMillian, Jake R.
- In the News
Want to get our alerts?
Click “Subscribe Now” to get attorney insights on the latest developments in a range of services and industries.
Dickinson Wright PLLC is pleased to announce that Jake R. McMillian has joined the firm as its Director of Diversity and Inclusion. As a licensed diverse attorney, Jake previously served in similar roles at two other multinational law firms and brings a unique understanding of the legal world to this new role. He will be based in the firm’s Chicago office.
“Jake brings energy and experience in developing and implementing successful strategies to recruit, retain and promote diverse lawyers and staff,” says Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright. “We are confident Jake will further enhance our inclusive atmosphere and help us ensure that we are continuing to provide meaningful opportunities to our diverse personnel.”
As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Jake will implement the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s 32-point action plan, bring new Diversity and Inclusion programs and policies to fruition, and be a resource for Diversity and Inclusion efforts firm-wide. Jake will be working alongside senior firm leadership and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to address issues related to diverse attorney recruitment, retention, and promotion; organizational culture and equity; diversity program development; and community engagement.
Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Jake led Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at two other multinational law firms. In these roles, he oversaw national recruitment efforts for diverse attorneys, managed tracking strategies that monitored associate advancement and equitable work allocation, and developed award-winning sponsorship and mentorship programs for diverse and women attorneys. Jake’s leadership helped these previous firms achieve record diverse associate recruitment, diverse partner promotion, and diverse attorney retention. Most recently, Jake served as Assistant Director of Recruitment & Outreach at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) John Marshall Law School.
Jake is currently working on his Ed.D in Diversity & Equity in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a member of KC Legal and SAVE, Inc. He also earned a B.A. from Ottawa University and his J.D. from University of Kansas School of Law.
“Jake brings energy and experience in developing and implementing successful strategies to recruit, retain and promote diverse lawyers and staff,” says Michael Hammer, CEO of Dickinson Wright. “We are confident Jake will further enhance our inclusive atmosphere and help us ensure that we are continuing to provide meaningful opportunities to our diverse personnel.”
As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Jake will implement the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s 32-point action plan, bring new Diversity and Inclusion programs and policies to fruition, and be a resource for Diversity and Inclusion efforts firm-wide. Jake will be working alongside senior firm leadership and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee to address issues related to diverse attorney recruitment, retention, and promotion; organizational culture and equity; diversity program development; and community engagement.
Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Jake led Diversity and Inclusion initiatives at two other multinational law firms. In these roles, he oversaw national recruitment efforts for diverse attorneys, managed tracking strategies that monitored associate advancement and equitable work allocation, and developed award-winning sponsorship and mentorship programs for diverse and women attorneys. Jake’s leadership helped these previous firms achieve record diverse associate recruitment, diverse partner promotion, and diverse attorney retention. Most recently, Jake served as Assistant Director of Recruitment & Outreach at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) John Marshall Law School.
Jake is currently working on his Ed.D in Diversity & Equity in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a member of KC Legal and SAVE, Inc. He also earned a B.A. from Ottawa University and his J.D. from University of Kansas School of Law.
Contacts

Jake McMillian
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Chicago
Recent Insights
- June 1, 2023 In the News Dickinson Wright Receives Top Rankings in 2023 Chambers USA Guide; 43 Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in their Fields
- May 31, 2023 Media Mentions Christy McDonald was recently named to Crain's Grand Rapids Business 2023 Notable Leaders in DEI list
- May 30, 2023 Media Mentions Benjamin Sobczak has been quoted in an article by the Detroit Free Press, “More Michigan marijuana companies expected to come under receivership control.”
- May 25, 2023 In the News David Coscarella Joins Dickinson Wright LLP
- May 2023 Industry Alerts Framework of Dodd-Frank Act "Clawback" Policy (Finally) Coming into Focus
- May 2023 Industry Alerts 更新情報:Form I-9のリモートフレキシビリティ制度が2023年7月31日に終了/対面での審査を8月30日までに実施する必要-その理由は?
- May 24, 2023 In the News Flavia Campbell Named to Latino Leaders Rising Stars 2023 List
- May 19, 2023 In the News Kathleen Campbell Walker Named to the 2023 Lawdragon 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers Guide
- May 17, 2023 In the News Daniel Waldman recently authored in Real Estate EXchange (RENX), "Commercial Landlord Alert! Tenants hurt by shutdowns may be entitled to rent-free extensions.”