Yusuf Z. Zakir

Yusuf Zakir leads the firm's efforts to continue building a culture where all attorneys and staff—including those from traditionally underrepresented communities in the legal profession—can have, and can see, paths to success. He collaborates with key stakeholders to develop and implement strategies, programs, and initiatives to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. 

At DWT, Yusuf has built a diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy based on four pillars—Community, Growth, Education, and Engagement. He collaborates with DWT leadership to scale and implement this framework across the organization, including by working with the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion structure to propel and accelerate these efforts. He also partners with clients and external organizations to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the broader legal profession and to cultivate an industry that recognizes intersectionality, empowers authenticity, and engenders belonging.

With nearly a decade of diversity, equity, and inclusion experience, Yusuf has helped propel these efforts in the industry. He is considered a thought leader, frequently authors relevant pieces, and is regularly quoted by major publications.

Under Yusuf's leadership, Davis Wright Tremaine is regularly recognized for its diversity, equity, and inclusion commitment. This includes Diversity Lab Mansfield Plus Certification, Seramount Top 10 Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity, Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index Perfect Score, T-Mobile Excellence in Diversity Award (2023), Citibank Law Firm Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award (2022), Microsoft Law Firm Diversity Program Award (2021), and U.S. Bank "Invested in Diversity Award" (2020).