Kristine McKinney

About Kristine

As Fish & Richardson’s chief operating officer, Kristine McKinney oversees operations of the firm’s 14 offices in the U.S., Europe, and China.  Under her direction, business operations are focused on world-class client service, enhancing efficiency and productivity, and building a culture that inspires people at all levels of the firm.

Prior to becoming COO, Kristine served as the firm’s first chief legal talent & inclusion officer, a role in which she led the professional development, legal recruiting, diversity & inclusion, and pro bono teams. During her five-year tenure, Fish was selected as a Best Law Firm for Women for four consecutive years, elevated its most diverse class of principals ever, was recognized as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality, and earned the Mansfield Certified Designation from Diversity Lab, among many other notable accomplishments. Previously, Kristine was in management roles at Faegre Baker Daniels and Kirkland & Ellis. Kristine is a sought-after speaker and author on topics related to diversity, organizational effectiveness, change management, and leadership development.

Community Involvement

St Paul Academy Parents Association (2014-2018)

Media Mentions

“Want to Make DEI Part of Your Firm Fabric? Hire a DEI Pro as COO,” The American Lawyer (July 23, 2021)

“Fish & Richardson Talent, Inclusion Office Promoted to COO” Law360 Pulse (July 14, 2021)

Selected Publications and Presentations

Take Charge of Change Before It Takes Charge of You, NALP Professional Development Webinar, October 2019

The Business Case for Diversity – In-House Insights, Minnesota CLE, May 2019

Generative Thinking Strategies for Legal Talent Development, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2019

Reimagining Recruiting: #NALPathon Update, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2019

Write your Own Ticket: Using Self-Evaluations to Propel Growth and Development, MN Women Lawyers, 2016

Diverse Associate Retention: Partnerships That Work for Firms of All Sizes, NALP Bulletin, April 2016

Motivating Lawyers to Move from Activity to Impact: The Intersection of Professional Development and Diversity, Law Practice Today, May 2013

Marketing Law Firm Diversity Outreach to Law Schools: 5 Ways to Minimize Cost and Maximize Visibility, NALP Bulletin, October 2009

Utilizing Change Management Tools to Lead Up, Down and Across Your Organization, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2016

Integrated Associate Learning: A Cross-Firm Collaboration, NALP Professional Development Institute, December 2015

Reinventing Work Life: Best-Practices from Leading Minnesota Companies, Work/Life and Flexibility Expo, September 2015

Beyond Diversity: Creating a Culture of Inclusion in the Legal Workplace, Minnesota CLE, May 2015

Fostering Successful Mentoring and Sponsor Relationships, Minnesota Women Lawyers, May 2015

The First 90 Days: Enhancing the Onboarding and Integration of Diverse Lawyers, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2015

Change Management Strategies For Navigating the New Normal, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2015

Sponsorship as a Career Advancing Tool, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, October 2014

How Individual and Organizational Competencies Can Take Your Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Efforts to the Next Level, NALP Professional Development Institute, December 2013

Communicating with Impact, Collaborative Bar Leadership Academy, June 2013

Practical Tips for Advancing Diversity, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2013

Generation Why: How Gen Y Lawyers May Change How You Maintain A Business Development Culture At Your Firm Lex Mundi, Regional Marketing Roundtable, October 2012

Academy for Leadership & Inclusion, Minority Corporate Counsel Association/Center for Legal Inclusiveness, July 2012

Engaging Decision Makers in the Diversity Dialogue, Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals Annual Conference, September 2011

P.I.E.: A Paradigm for Career Development, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2012

Positive Partnering:  Strengthening Diversity Ties Between Law Schools and Law Firms, NALP Annual Education Conference, April 2012

Elimination of Bias: Creating a Culture of Inclusion, Minnesota CLE, June 2011

The Power of Effective Facilitation, NALP – Annual Education Conference, April 2011

Tools for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion on Legal Teams, Center for Legal Inclusiveness, March 2011

How Has the Move Away From Lockstep Affected Diversity & Flexibility? Project for Attorney Retention, March 2011

Received the 2018 Diversity Leader Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal (2018)