Lloyd Freeman

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 Diversity & Inclusion Council and promotes equitable policies, mentorship and sponsorship as key retention initiatives. Through the use of data & analytics, Lloyd identifies potential risk areas and centers intentionality and accountability to drive meaningful impact. Lloyd also works to ensure that the firm continues to be a driver of diversity and inclusion in the communities in which it serves. Some of these initiatives include the firm's supplier diversity program, corporate share program as well as key partnerships with local nonprofits dedicated to promoting all dimensions of diversity. 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 is frequently called upon to discuss diversity-related topics and corresponding impacts on corporations and their employees. He has shared his expertise with Law.com, Bloomberg Law, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Waste Management and many others. Lloyd speaks and publishes articles on a wide range of topics, including implicit bias, microaggressions, psychological safety, operationalizing D&I, and inclusive leadership. Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, et al. and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, Lloyd has spoken frequently on the practical and legal implications of conducting diversity programs within corporations.

Lloyd also shares his insights and perspectives on his podcast, Dimensions of Diversity, where he welcomes thought leaders from across the country to discuss how they are working to advance diversity and inclusion.

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 underrepresented 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.

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.

He is the immediate past 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. Currently, he serves on the boards of Howard University School of Business, the Philadelphia Ballet and Doane Academy.  

Lloyd’s leadership of Buchanan’s diversity & inclusion efforts has led to the firm being recognized nationally and regionally. In 2024, Buchanan was named a Best Diversity Initiative Award Finalist by The American Lawyer, one of just seven law firms honored nationwide. In 2023, the firm was shortlisted for the Chambers USA 2023 Diversity and Inclusion – Outstanding Firm Award and was named a Daily Business Review Best Diversity Initiative – Firm Honoree. In 2024 and 2022, the firm was also named a Best Diversity Initiative Award Finalist by The Legal Intelligencer. Lloyd has also been recognized individually for his efforts, including being celebrated as a Diversity in Business Honoree by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2022. Most recently, in 2024, Lloyd was awarded the Mel Narol Excellence in Diversity Award by the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Corporate Leadership Award by the Philadelphia Business Journal. 

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 their two young children, Ailey and Beau.

Awards

• Corporate Leadership Award Honoree (Philadelphia Business Journal), 2024
• Mel Narol Excellence in Diversity (New Jersey State Bar Association), 2024
• Impact 50 (City & State PA), 2022
• Diversity in Business Honoree (Philadelphia Business Journal), 2022
• Game Changer Award Recipient (The Change of Our Future Foundation), 2022
• Best Diversity Initiative (The Legal Intelligencer), 2022 and 2024
• Man of the Year (Philly Man Magazine), 2021
• 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