Tag Archive for: diversity conference

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46 Law Firms Recognized for “Tipping the Scales” Towards Gender Parity in New Partner Classes

2020 New Partner Report Released

Washington, DC – November 6, 2020 – Yesterday, during the Diversity and Flexibility Alliance’s Annual Conference, forty-six law firms were recognized for having 50% or more women in their 2020 U.S.-based new partner classes. The firms, recognized as “Tipping the Scales,” were identified through the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s New Partner Report, a compilation of public data released each year for the past nine years. The Report revealed that 40.9 percent of new partners in 137 major U.S. law firms in 2020 were women. This figure is a slight dip from the previous mark of 41.3 percent last year.

The “Tipping the Scales” firms recognized for having 50% or more women in their 2020 new partner class included:

1. Arent Fox
2. Arnold & Porter*
3. Boies Schiller Flexner
4. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
5. Cahill Gordon & Reindel
6. Cooley*
7. Covington & Burling*
8. Crowell & Moring*
9. Davis Wright Tremaine*
10. Dechert*
11. Epstein Becker & Green
12. Foley & Lardner
13. Foley Hoag
14. Gibbons*
15. Hodgson Russ*
16. Hogan Lovells*
17. Husch Blackwell
18. Jackson Lewis*
19. Jones Day*
20. Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel
21. Kutak Rock*
22. Lathrop GPM*
23. Littler Mendelson
24. Miles & Stockbridge
25. Miller & Chevalier*
26. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius*
27. Morrison & Foerster
28. Nixon Peabody
29. O’Melveny & Myers*
30. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman
31. Quarles & Brady*
32. Ropes & Gray
33. Seyfarth Shaw*
34. Shook, Hardy & Bacon
35. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom*
36. Steptoe
37. Thompson & Knight
38. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
39. Weil, Gotshal & Manges
40. White & Case*
41. Wiley Rein*
42. Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP
43. Williams & Connolly
44. WilmerHale
45. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
46. Womble Bond Dickinson
* Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Member Firm

“By promoting equal numbers of men and women to partner, these firms have signaled their commitment to gender parity and their understanding of the value that women in leadership brings to their firm and clients,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “While this year’s results are similar to last year’s numbers, it is concerning that the percentage of women advancing to partnership has dropped slightly. This data, combined with the recent studies showing that women will be forced to leave the workforce due to the COVID 19 pandemic, could signal a significant step backwards in the efforts to achieve gender parity.”

“I recommend that all organizations commit to an intentional gender diversity strategy that includes important systemic changes,” Morales said.  “We applaud our member firms, many of whom took these intentional steps towards increasing gender diversity, leading to quantifiable results as our member firms promoted a substantially higher share of female new partners (43%), compared to the overall share of women in this year’s new partner classes (40.9%),” she added.

The Alliance has been compiling this data and releasing this report for nine years. While this year represents an increase of 7.7 percentage points since 2012, it represents a slight dip from last year of 0.4 percentage points and is only the second time over the last nine years when there was a year over year drop (2013 to 2014 was the only other time the figure dropped). The 2020 New Partner Report also found that the gap between the share of new women partners and the share of women associates has widened. This year, the difference between the share of women partners and women associates was 5.9%, whereas in 2019 it was 4.6%.

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s New Partner Report is a yearly compilation of data from more than 100 (137 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. offices. The data is based upon publicly available firm announcements and other self-reported sources on new partner classes with an effective date of promotion between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020.

The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance is a think tank that collaborates with organizations to develop non-stigmatized flexible work policies that promote inclusive work cultures and help to advance more women into leadership positions. The Alliance provides practical research-based solutions, training workshops, and strategic advisory services that increase organizational effectiveness through diversity and flexibility.

 

Contact: Manar Morales

manar@dfalliance.com

202-957-9650

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Conference to Focus on Critical Roles of Diversity & Flexibility in Transforming the Future of the Workplace

Washington, DC – October 21, 2020 –The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance will hold its Annual Conference, Moments of Impact: Transforming Organizational Culture at 12:00 noon EST on Thursday, November 5. The event, held virtually this year, will bring together leaders and experts in diversity and flexible working and share cutting-edge strategies critical to the transformation of the future of the workplace. Registration is open to the public and more information is available here.

“In this challenging year, diversity and flexibility are at the forefront of every organization’s priorities. We believe these issues will be essential to reimagining the future of the workplace, now and post pandemic,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “We will provide attendees with the latest trends and best practices in flexible working and leave policies, guidance from diversity experts, and insights from leaders and peers. Anyone passionate about transforming his or her organization’s culture should be part of this conversation,” she added.

Leaders, General Counsel, Diversity Directors, Human Resources executives and Chairs from corporations like Booz Allen Hamilton, Bank of America and Wells Fargo, trade associations, financial services firms, and prominent law firms, will share personal experiences and valuable insights into their visions for the future of work. The Alliance will reveal the latest research and trends in diversity & inclusion and work flexibility, as well as innovative leave policies.

Susan Neely, President & CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) will receive the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s 2020 Luminary Award, which honors a global thought leader who is consistently and uniquely devoted to the advancement of diversity and whose vision is leaving a lasting legacy of inclusivity for future leaders. (See detailed press release here.)

Garry Ridge, CEO of WD-40, will present this year’s keynote, It’s All About the People, and will share his people-first philosophy that has consistently resulted in 93% employee engagement. Other highlights from diversity and inclusion thought leaders include: How to Make this Time Different presented by Verna Myers, Vice President of Inclusion Strategies, Netflix; and, How to Secure a Seat at the Table featuring Minda Harts, author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Do to Secure a Seat at the Table.

Forty-six law firms with 50% or more women in their 2020 new partner class will be recognized with the Tipping the Scales award in recognition of their commitment to the advancement of women.

The Alliance will also present the following awards to individuals, leaders, and organizations that are leading the way in successfully implementing flexible work:

  • The 2020 Flex Leader Award will be presented to Barri Rafferty, Executive Vice President, Head of Communications, Wells Fargo for her extraordinary commitment to flexibility and her personal philosophy that allowing all employees to work on their own flexible schedule creates increased employee empowerment and engagement. (See detailed press release here.)
  • The 2020 Flex Impact Award, which recognizes initiatives that are poised to have a significant impact on the culture of flexibility, will be presented to law firms, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Katten, Muchin Rosenman LLP. (See detailed press release here.)
  • The 2020 Flex Success Award, acknowledges law firm partners who achieve success while working a reduced hours schedule and their clients who have been integral to making their flexibility a success. This year’s honorees are Sharon Newlon, Member, Dickinson Wright and her client Sara von Bernthal, Senior Counsel, Real Estate, Office of the General Counsel, FCA USA LLC; Lucy Bickford, Partner, Schiff Hardin LLP and her client Andrea Coloff, Regional Fiduciary Officer, Bank of America Private Bank; and, Emma Mata, Partner, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and her client Suzanne Davies, Vice President, Legal & Corporate Secretary, Ensign Energy Services Inc. (see detailed press release here.)

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance is a think tank that collaborates with organizations to develop non-stigmatized flexible work policies that promote inclusive work cultures and help to advance more women into leadership positions. The Alliance provides practical research-based solutions, training workshops, and strategic advisory services that increase organizational effectiveness through diversity and flexibility.

 

Contact: Manar Morales

manar@dfalliance.com

202-957-9650

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Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Conference to Address Transforming Workplaces & Meeting the Needs of the 2020 Workforce

AARP’s Jo Ann Jenkins to Receive Diversity Luminary Award

Washington, DC – October 1, 2019 – The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance will hold its Annual Conference, Inspire. Innovate. Ignite! on Thursday, November 7 in Washington, DC. This interactive, one-day event is widely known as one of the DC area’s largest gatherings of prominent leaders committed to improving diversity and inclusion, as well as workplace flexibility and leave policies. Registration is open to non-members and more information is available here.

“Our conference is designed to provide executives with everything they need to incorporate diversity and flexible working programs into their organizational culture,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “Attendees will be inspired by our impressive line-up of speakers and diversity visionaries, they’ll hear about the latest trends in flexible working and leave policies, and they’ll connect with a community of senior leaders passionate about diversity and inclusion efforts,” she added. “By attending our one-day conference, attendees will be equipped to transform their workplaces and meet the needs of the 2020 workforce.”

Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP will receive the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s inaugural Luminary Award which honors a global thought leader who is consistently and uniquely devoted to the advancement of diversity and who’s vision is leaving a lasting legacy of inclusivity for future leaders. Ms. Jenkins will also present this year’s keynote and will share her unique perspective on the value that diversity brings to the culture and success of her organization and the workplace in general.

 

“I’m honored to receive this award because it reflects my belief that great leaders will emerge from creating workplaces where diverse voices thrive and are provided the opportunity to be taken seriously from the outset,” said Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO or AARP. “It is incumbent on all leaders in the organization to carve out those spaces and to build a pipeline that draws on talent representative of the world we live in. That’s why at AARP, we see diversity and inclusion as a business imperative. It’s not just a part of our business strategy, it is our business strategy,” she added.

This year’s newest agenda item, Meet the Influencers, highlights compelling 20-minute presentations featuring three exceptional visionaries – Texas Judge, the Honorable Tonya Parker, Lily Zheng, Co-Author of Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace, and Dia Simms, President, Combs Enterprises — who will share their unique perspectives on improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Leaders, General Counsel, Diversity Directors and Chairs from corporations like Mercedes-Benz, PwC, Deloitte, The Boston Consulting Group, and Capital One, along with countless prominent law firms, will share personal experiences and valuable insights into the evolution of their organizations’ diversity and flexible working initiatives. The Alliance will share the latest research and trends in diversity & inclusion and work flexibility as well as innovative leave policies.

The Alliance will also present the following awards to individuals, leaders, and organizations that are leading the way in successfully implementing flexible work:

  • The 2019 Flex Impact Award, which recognizes initiatives that are poised to have a significant impact on the culture of flexibility, will be presented to: global consulting financial services firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) and international law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. (See detailed press release here.)
  • The 2019 Flex Leader Award will be presented to Jennifer M. Flynn, Managing Vice President, Head of the Small Business Bank (SBB) Division at Capital One for her leadership role in helping to create an organizational culture that focuses on inclusivity, encouraging authenticity, investing in future leaders, embracing differences and promoting flexible working options. (See detailed press release here.)
  • The 2019 Flex Success Award, acknowledges law firm partners who achieve success while working a reduced hours schedule and their clients who have been integral to making their flexibility a success. This year’s honorees are Danielle Katzir, Partner at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, and her client Darren Drake of Stockbridge Real Estate Funds; and Stacy Bunck, Kansas City Office Managing Shareholder at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, and her client, the late Rafael Medina of McDonald’s Corporation. (See detailed press release here.)

The Diversity & Flexibility Alliance is a think tank that collaborates with organizations to develop non-stigmatized flexible work policies that promote inclusive work cultures and help to advance more women into leadership positions. The Alliance provides practical research-based solutions, training workshops, and strategic advisory services that increase organizational effectiveness through diversity and flexibility.

Contact Manar Morales at 202-957-9650 or manar@dfalliance.com for more information.

 

Getting to Know Our 2019 Conference Speakers – Jennifer Flynn

We are so excited to have an amazing line-up of prominent leaders and trailblazers speaking at our 2019 Annual Conference Inspire. Innovate. Ignite! on Thursday, November 7 in Washington, DC.  We will be introducing these dynamic and engaging speakers during the next couple of months here on our blog. We asked our speakers to answer a few questions about themselves, their approach to their career, and their lives.

 

This week’s “Getting To Know Our Conference Speakers” post highlights Jennifer Flynn, Managing Vice President & Head of Small Business Bank at Capital One.

A true champion of diversity and flexibility, Jenn will share her insights on a panel with other leaders.

 

Diversity & Flexibility Alliance: What was the most meaningful piece of leadership advice you have received? 

Jenn Flynn: Set your priorities; make your decisions around those priorities; and, if you don’t like the consequences of those decisions, make another choice. This advice has served me well over the years and has also helped me remove guilt from my vocabulary! When you are confident in your priorities, everything else falls into place.

Through this journey, I also learned the power of using my voice and encouraging others to use their voice. Sharing my priorities with others really helped me find the “and” – the flexibility I need to make things work for both my family and my organization. Don’t underestimate the power of letting someone in.

I am where I am today largely because of the leaders who took a chance on me, stretched me, and supported me on both my personal and professional journey. My goal is to be that person for my team.

DFA: How do you pay it forward?

JF: I make it a point to surround myself with leaders who model the behaviors I value, and I have become a champion for those just starting out on their journey. I am committed to working with my teams to create a culture where everyone feels a sense of belonging, an obligation to share a dissenting opinion, and can bring their whole selves to work feeling inspired and respected. It is important for everyone to work for leaders who bring out the best in you and who embrace varying perspectives and see differences as an opportunity to grow. I made a promise to remain true to my authentic self and I want others to feel the freedom to do the same.

I am also actively engaged on the Executive Steering Committee for Capital One’s Women’s Business Resource Group and the Capital One Greater Washington Market President Network, both in McLean. I am an advisor for 1863 Ventures and passionate about helping small businesses succeed.

 

Don’t miss hearing insights from Jenn Flynn and other leaders who are helping to support and advance flexible working arrangements in their organizations.

Register for our conference TODAY. 

Getting to Know Our 2019 Conference Speakers – Lily Zheng

We are so excited to have an amazing line-up of prominent leaders and trailblazers speaking at our 2019 Annual Conference Inspire. Innovate. Ignite! on Thursday, November 7 in Washington, DC.  We will be introducing these dynamic and engaging speakers during the next couple of months here on our blog. We asked our speakers to answer a few questions about themselves, their approach to their career, and their lives.

This week’s “Getting To Know Our Conference Speakers” post highlights Lily Zheng, D&I Consultant and Co-Author, Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace. Lily will share Lessons in Inclusion as part of our new “Meet The Influencers” program at the conference. You don’t want to miss it!

 

Diversity & Flexibility Alliance: What was the most meaningful piece of leadership advice you have received? Who has had the most influence on your career?

Lily Zheng: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received was from Dereca Blackmon, Associate Dean at Stanford University, who told me that meaningful change could happen from both inside and outside of systems. As a young activist at the time, it broadened my understanding of my role in the world and empowered me to become a more thoughtful leader and changemaker. I’ve never forgotten that advice.  

DFA: How do you recharge? 

LZ: I schedule in time with my chosen family–a handful of people from outside my professional life who I trust will care for me no matter what and who I can let my guard down around. It’s incredibly good for me to have people around whom I not only don’t want to, but can’t, talk about work.  

DFA: Where and when are you most content?
LZ: When I’m with chosen family, wherever they happen to be. 


DFA: What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

LZ: That I don’t have to be a perfect activist to be a good one. 

DFA: How do you pay it forward?

LZ: Create systems so that people who don’t want to become advocates don’t have to. Mentor the next generation to understand history so that they can do more of what worked and less of what didn’t. 

DFA: What can we be doing to create more inclusive organizations?
LZ: Understanding that inclusion is a philosophy and not a state, and that organizations need to embed inclusion into every aspect of their being–their policies, practices, leaders, spaces, products, structures, and more. As for specific practices, a shortlist of my favorite:
  • work with middle managers to articulate how diversity & inclusion factors into their team’s/project’s goals;
  • create gender-inclusive bathrooms, locker rooms, and other spaces;
  • hire and collaborate with members of marginalized groups on any project (and it should be most of them) in which they’re stakeholders;
  • give your Chief Diversity Officer a damn budget.   

DFA: How has flexibility impacted your life?

LZ: It’s one of the most important aspects of the life I live. As a consultant, I’ve worked to build my own life that allows me to have the impact in the world that I want while nourishing the parts of me that keep me going. I wouldn’t be able to do any of that without the flexibility I’ve made a core need. 


DFA: What book is on your nightstand?
LZ: Cheating answer, but my own! My nightstand is currently a storage container filled with copies of Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace, though come October of this year I’ll be filling it with copies of my newest book, The Ethical Sellout–super excited! 

Don’t miss hearing insights from Lily Zheng and our

other inspirational Influencers! 

Register for our conference TODAY. 

Early bird registration will continue until September 13.

Getting to Know Our 2019 Conference Speakers – Judge Tonya Parker

We are so excited to have an amazing line-up of prominent leaders and trailblazers speaking at our 2019 Annual Conference Inspire. Innovate. Ignite! on Thursday, November 7 in Washington, DC.  We will be introducing these dynamic and engaging speakers during the next couple of months here on our blog. We asked our speakers to answer a few questions about themselves, their approach to their career, and their lives.

This week’s “Getting To Know Our Conference Speakers” post highlights The Honorable Tonya Parker, a trailblazing Judge from the 116th District Court in Dallas County. Judge Parker’s incredibly insightful presentation about Labels is part of our brand new “Meet The Influencers” program at the conference. You don’t want to miss it!

 

Diversity & Flexibility Alliance: What was the most meaningful piece of leadership advice you have received?

Judge Tonya Parker: Leadership is about responsibility, not power.  Power is only about ego.

DFA: Who has had the most influence on your career?

JTP: Ron White, the managing partner of White & Wiggins, LLP n/k/a White, Wiggins, & Barnes, LLP.  Ron taught me that hard work can atone for what one lacks in skill and even intellect. 

DFA: How do you recharge? 

JTP: Exercise and creative writing.

DFA: Where and when are you most content?

JTP: Saturday mornings eating cereal with my son.

DFA: What do you know now that you wish you knew then?

JTP: While it is true that no one is lesser than I am; it is also true that no one is greater.

DFA: How do you pay it forward?

JTP: By using the influence I have within my family/friend circle to advance righteous causes, noble ideas, and people who are kind and hard-working.   

DFA: What can we be doing to create more inclusive organizations?

JTP: Commit ourselves to taking an act each day that reflects the values of being anti-racist, anti-sexist, and anti-phobic.  

DFA: What book is on your nightstand?

JTP: “I Am Not Here To Give a Speech” by Gabriel García Márquez

 

Don’t miss hearing insights from Judge Parker and our other inspirational Influencers! 

Register for our conference TODAY. 

Early bird registration will continue until September 13.

Getting to Know Our 2019 Conference Speakers – Sarah Chapman

We are so excited to have an amazing line-up of prominent leaders and trailblazers speaking at our 2019 Annual Conference Inspire. Innovate. Ignite! on Thursday, November 7 in Washington, DC.  We will be introducing these dynamic and engaging speakers during the next couple of months here on our blog. We asked our speakers to answer a few questions about themselves, their approach to their career, and their lives.

This week’s “Getting To Know Our Conference Speakers” post highlights Sarah Chapman, PhD, Director within Deloitte’s Sustainability & Social Impact Advisory Practice & National Lead, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability for Deloitte Canada and Chile

 

 

Diversity & Flexibility Alliance: What was the most meaningful piece of leadership advice you have received?

Sarah Chapman: The best advice I ever received is the “Four Agreements of Life” –

  1. Be impeccable with your word
  2. Don’t take anything personally
  3. Make no assumptions
  4. Always do your best

DFA: How do you recharge?

SC: My husband and I work out together every morning at 4:30am – it’s cherished time together and allows us to start the day on an energized note.

DFA: Where and when are you most content?

SC: With my family and out on the water, in a forest, or on a mountain!

DFA: What book is on your nightstand?

SC: Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Register for our conference today to hear expert insight from Sarah and other inspiring leaders developing innovative diversity and flexibility solutions and igniting change in their organizations

Early bird registration will continue until September 13.