Dimensions of Diversity: Neurodiversity: Being Autistic and Encountering the Workplace

As Buchanan’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Lloyd Freeman is responsible for advancing and expanding diversity throughout the firm and across the legal industry as a whole. Lloyd develops and drives the firm’s diversity initiatives related to attorney hiring, retention and advancement. He oversees the firm’s affinity groups and promotes mentorship and sponsorship as key retention initiatives. Additionally, he collaborates with Buchanan’s clients to meet and advance their diversity and inclusion goals and coordinates partnerships for mutually-beneficial programs such as internships, thought leadership, speaking engagements and more. Lloyd is also involved in nurturing key partnerships to drive strategic diversity and inclusion marketing, as well as business development initiatives. Lloyd has been a champion of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession throughout his career, including in his roles as a litigation partner and a Chief Diversity Officer at his previous firm. He is a sought-after speaker and has published articles on various diversity-related topics, including the impact of stigma and discrimination, implicit bias, allyship and imposter syndrome, among others. Each of us plays a role in fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and reflected at all levels of the organization. Community Involvement Outside of the firm, Lloyd has served as president of the Garden State Bar Association (GSBA) and under his leadership, the GSBA raised nearly $100,000 and awarded scholarships to a record number of diverse law students. He also worked tirelessly in this role to increase diversity in the judiciary by endorsing scores of attorneys of color to be appointed to the bench. He is chairman of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region (BBBS) - the fourth largest agency in the nation, providing mentors to nearly 4,000 children in the Philadelphia and South Jersey area. On behalf of the agency, Lloyd has made numerous television appearances to promote BBBS programs and events while raising awareness of its mission and need for more mentors. Specifically, Lloyd has inspired dozens of black men to volunteer as mentors, a demographic that is in dire need. Further, Lloyd has donated hundreds of pro bono hours in legal services over the years to the agency. Lloyd founded, and has chaired for a decade now, the Burlington Camden Achievement Foundation, which runs the Beautillion program—a scholarship and mentoring program designed to prepare high school males of color for college and subsequent life. To date, over 120 young men have completed the program; they’ve been accepted to over 650 colleges around the country and Freeman’s foundation has awarded them over $155,000 in scholarships. In 2019, he was named Diverse Attorney of the Year by the New Jersey Law Journal and received the Minority Business Leader Award from the Philadelphia Business Journal. In 2018, he was listed as one of the Most Influential Black Lawyers in America by Savoy Magazine and was named “South Jersey’s Man of the Year” by South Jersey Magazine. Outside the Office An avid traveler, Lloyd enjoys international vacations and cuisine—including traditional French classes at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Stateside, he enjoys summers in Martha’s Vineyard, perfecting his Kansas City barbeque skills and competitive cycling. Lloyd resides in Medford, New Jersey with his wife, Ebony, and children, Ailey and Beau. Awards Next Generation of Leaders (NJBiz), 2021 New Jersey’s Most Influential DEI leaders 2021 (ROI NJ), 2021 2021 Albert S. Dandridge, III Business Law Section Diversity Award (Philadelphia Bar Association), 2021 South Jerseyan of the Year (Walter Rand Institute), 2020 New Jersey’s 40 Under 40 (NJBiz), 2020 Authentic Leadership Award (Tri-State Diversity Council), 2020 Diverse Attorney of the Year (New Jersey Law Journal), 2019 Community Leadership Award (Urban Affairs Coalition), 2019 Mary Philbrook Public Interest Award (Rutgers Law School), 2019 Minority Business Leader Award (Philadelphia Business Journal), 2019 Humanitarian Award (National Bar Association), 2019 Trailblazer Award (New Leaders Council-NJ), 2019 Lawyers of Color Nation’s Best List, 2019 Champion of Diversity Award (Drexel Black Law Students Association), 2019 South Jersey’s Man of the Year (South Jersey Magazine), 2018 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates (National Bar Association), 2018 Most Influential Black Lawyers in America (Savoy Magazine), 2018 Halo Award (South Jersey Young Professionals Association), 2018 Bringing It Beyond Award (Association of Black Law Students), 2018 South Jersey’s 20 Under 40 List (South Jersey Biz Magazine), 2017 Visionary Leader Award (Camden County East NAACP), 2017 Young Professional of the Year Award (Non-Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey), 2017 Outstanding Director Award (Philadelphia Business Journal), 2017 Champions of Social Justice and Equality Award (Rutgers Black Law Students Association), 2016 Young Lawyer Award (Garden State Bar Association), 2015 New Leaders of the Bar Award (New Jersey Law Journal), 2015 “Reasons to Believe” Alumni Honor Roll (Kansas City Public Schools), 2014 Philadelphia’s 40 Under 40 (Philadelphia Business Journal), 2014 Community Leader Award (LEAP Academy), 2013 Recent Graduate Award (Rutgers Law School), 2012 Rutgers Excellence in Alumni Leadership Award (Rutgers University), 2011 Young Business Leader Award (Howard University School of Business), 2010 Young Lawyer of the Year (New Jersey State Bar Association), 2010 Craig M. Perry Community Service Award (Philadelphia Bar Association—Young Lawyers Division), 2010 Young Urban Leader Award (Urban League of Philadelphia), 2008