Washington, DC – December 19, 2018 – Today, the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance released its seventh-annual New Partner Report, which revealed a slight increase in the percentage of women among new partners in 2018 in the U.S. Offices of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms. While the results showed a seven-year high of 38.9 percent, it was a mere 0.8 percent increase from last year. An Executive Summary of the report is available here. The complete report is available to Alliance members in the Member Resource Center.
“These results highlight the fact that while many recruiting classes of law school graduates may have 50% women, the percentages drop off dramatically as women advance to Partnership levels,“ said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “This underscores the need for firms to commit to a more intentional and proactive strategy to retain and advance women. It is essential that firms pay more attention to the diversity of the pipeline of talent at least three years in advance of the partnership track, as well as implement more programs to support the advancement of women along the way,” she added.
The Alliance specifically suggests that firms and other organizations:
– Identify and track gaps in gender diversity at all levels;
– Carefully consider ways to balance the pipeline of talent, at senior levels in particular;
– Implement policies and programs that support the retention and advancement of women;
– Commit to a more intentional strategy for gender diversity throughout the firm;
– Address any weaknesses in their flexibility and parental leave initiatives.
The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s New Partner Report is a yearly compilation of data from more than 100 (134 this year) of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms examining the gender breakdown of attorneys promoted to partnership in their U.S.
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/DFA-New-Partner-Report-2018.jpg790610integritivehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Logo-260.pngintegritive2018-12-19 00:00:002019-06-17 13:33:28Results of New Partner Report Underscore Need for Increased Focus on Retention and Advancement of Women Attorneys
Diversity & Flexibility Alliance to Present 2018 Flex Success® Award at Annual Conference September 27
Washington, DC – September 6, 2018 – The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance has announced that its 2018 Flex Success® Award Honorees will be Lori Mihalich-Levin, Partner at Dentons in Washington, DC, and her client Dr. Cindy Kelley, Vice President of Medical Education at Summa Health. The award recognizes partners at Diversity & Flexibility Alliance member law firms who have achieved success while working a reduced hours schedule as well as a client who has been integral to making workplace flexibility so successful. The Award will be presented on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the Alliance’s annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Embracing Change, in Washington, DC. This conference was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed due to a snowstorm in DC. Conference registration is available here.
“Not only has Lori managed to reach high levels of career success while working a reduced hours schedule, but she is also truly passionate about helping to grow the pipeline of women leaders and supporting other working parents,” said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Alliance. “With the support of her colleagues at Dentons and her clients, including Summa Health, Lori has grown her personal business and cared for her children while providing top-notch client service,” she added.
Ms. Mihalich-Levin has worked a 60% reduced hours schedule while representing hospitals, academic medical centers, medical schools and health systems as a Partner in Dentons’ Healthcare Practice since August 2015. In just two years, she was able to bring in 20 new clients to the firm and build a premier practice around legal issues related to graduate medical education.
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Conference-2018-55-1.jpg6301500integritivehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Logo-260.pngintegritive2018-09-06 00:00:002019-06-18 16:00:58Dentons Partner and Client Honored for Success While Working Flexible Schedule
Award to be presented at Conference on September 27
Washington, DC – September 6, 2018 – The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance has announced that Kim Koopersmith, chairperson of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, will receive its 2018 Flex Leader Award. The Flex Leader Award recognizes an executive who is moving his or her organization toward a more inclusive workplace through holistic flexibility. The Award will be presented on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the Alliance’s annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Embracing Change, in Washington, DC. This conference was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed due to the snowstorm in DC. Registration is available here.
Ms. Koopersmith is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to the advancement of women, attorneys of color and flexible work options for all. She has been instrumental in the success of Akin Gump’s Reduced Work Schedule and Agile Work Policies, which have consistently adapted to the needs of the firm’s employees and changes in technology, family dynamics, practice models and cultural norms.
“Kim is the perfect example of a leader who is committed to ensuring that flexible work options are available to everyone,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “She understands the value of flexibility to individuals, as well as to the firm in its recruitment and retention of top diverse talent. She is dedicated to providing outstanding client service while offering forward-thinking policies to employees worldwide,” she added.
“I want to make sure I use my voice and experience as a lawyer, working mother and firm leader to address and advocate for diversity and flexibility,” said Ms. Koopersmith. “I truly believe that our success originates from our talent,
https://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Kim-Koopersmith-2-e1601917457117.jpg352352integritivehttps://dfalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Diversity-and-Flexibility-Alliance-Logo-260.pngintegritive2018-09-06 00:00:002019-06-18 15:59:30Diversity & Flexibility Alliance to Recognize Akin Gump Chair Kim Koopersmith For Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Flexibility
Results of New Partner Report Underscore Need for Increased Focus on Retention and Advancement of Women Attorneys
Washington, DC – December 19, 2018 – Today, the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance released its seventh-annual New Partner Report, which revealed a slight increase in the percentage of women among new partners in 2018 in the U.S. Offices of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms. While the results showed a seven-year high of 38.9 percent, it was a mere 0.8 percent increase from last year. An Executive Summary of the report is available here. The complete report is available to Alliance members in the Member Resource Center.
“These results highlight the fact that while many recruiting classes of law school graduates may have 50% women, the percentages drop off dramatically as women advance to Partnership levels,“ said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “This underscores the need for firms to commit to a more intentional and proactive strategy to retain and advance women. It is essential that firms pay more attention to the diversity of the pipeline of talent at least three years in advance of the partnership track, as well as implement more programs to support the advancement of women along the way,” she added.
The Alliance specifically suggests that firms and other organizations:
– Identify and track gaps in gender diversity at all levels;
– Carefully consider ways to balance the pipeline of talent, at senior levels in particular;
– Implement policies and programs that support the retention and advancement of women;
– Commit to a more intentional strategy for gender diversity throughout the firm;
– Address any weaknesses in their flexibility and parental leave initiatives.
The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s New Partner Report is a yearly compilation of data from more than 100 (134 this year) of the nation’s largest and top-grossing law firms examining the gender breakdown of attorneys promoted to partnership in their U.S.
Dentons Partner and Client Honored for Success While Working Flexible Schedule
Diversity & Flexibility Alliance to Present 2018 Flex Success® Award at Annual Conference September 27
Washington, DC – September 6, 2018 – The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance has announced that its 2018 Flex Success® Award Honorees will be Lori Mihalich-Levin, Partner at Dentons in Washington, DC, and her client Dr. Cindy Kelley, Vice President of Medical Education at Summa Health. The award recognizes partners at Diversity & Flexibility Alliance member law firms who have achieved success while working a reduced hours schedule as well as a client who has been integral to making workplace flexibility so successful. The Award will be presented on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the Alliance’s annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Embracing Change, in Washington, DC. This conference was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed due to a snowstorm in DC. Conference registration is available here.
“Not only has Lori managed to reach high levels of career success while working a reduced hours schedule, but she is also truly passionate about helping to grow the pipeline of women leaders and supporting other working parents,” said Manar Morales, President and CEO of the Alliance. “With the support of her colleagues at Dentons and her clients, including Summa Health, Lori has grown her personal business and cared for her children while providing top-notch client service,” she added.
Ms. Mihalich-Levin has worked a 60% reduced hours schedule while representing hospitals, academic medical centers, medical schools and health systems as a Partner in Dentons’ Healthcare Practice since August 2015. In just two years, she was able to bring in 20 new clients to the firm and build a premier practice around legal issues related to graduate medical education.
Diversity & Flexibility Alliance to Recognize Akin Gump Chair Kim Koopersmith For Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Flexibility
Award to be presented at Conference on September 27
Washington, DC – September 6, 2018 – The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance has announced that Kim Koopersmith, chairperson of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, will receive its 2018 Flex Leader Award. The Flex Leader Award recognizes an executive who is moving his or her organization toward a more inclusive workplace through holistic flexibility. The Award will be presented on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at the Alliance’s annual conference, Diversity + Flexibility = Embracing Change, in Washington, DC. This conference was originally scheduled for March, but was postponed due to the snowstorm in DC. Registration is available here.
Ms. Koopersmith is being recognized for her unwavering commitment to the advancement of women, attorneys of color and flexible work options for all. She has been instrumental in the success of Akin Gump’s Reduced Work Schedule and Agile Work Policies, which have consistently adapted to the needs of the firm’s employees and changes in technology, family dynamics, practice models and cultural norms.
“Kim is the perfect example of a leader who is committed to ensuring that flexible work options are available to everyone,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “She understands the value of flexibility to individuals, as well as to the firm in its recruitment and retention of top diverse talent. She is dedicated to providing outstanding client service while offering forward-thinking policies to employees worldwide,” she added.
“I want to make sure I use my voice and experience as a lawyer, working mother and firm leader to address and advocate for diversity and flexibility,” said Ms. Koopersmith. “I truly believe that our success originates from our talent,