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)

Publications

• “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)

Speaking Engagements

• “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,” Minnesota Women Lawyers (2016)
• “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)

Media Mentions

• “Exploiting the Great Resignation: How Firms Can Nab New Talent,” Managing IP (February 23, 2022)
• “Want to Make DEI Part of Your Firm Fabric? Hire a DEI Pro as COO,” The American Lawyer (July 23, 2021)
• “Using Data to Advance Diversity and Inclusion for the Long Haul,” Bloomberg Law (November 25, 2020)
• “Firms Turn to Data in Evaluating Inclusion Efforts, Setting Diversity Goals,” The American Lawyer (October 17, 2020)

• Diversity Leader Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal (2018)