As law firms aim to improve diversity and inclusion within their own ranks, Black lawyers who have already made it to partner say there are greater systemic problems the industry must address to make meaningful change.

Davis Polk & Wardwell partner Vanessa Jackson, Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian partner Randall Clark and Cooley partner Bobby Earles highlighted these and other issues they faced along their pathway to partnership at a panel discussion Thursday hosted by Legal Innovators, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and the National Association for Law Placement.