NAPABA Names WilmerHale as Its 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award Recipient
For Immediate Release
Sept. 20, 2017
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named WilmerHale as its 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award recipient. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership.
The award will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala at the 2017 NAPABA Convention in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 4, 2017.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion starts at the top and cascades throughout WilmerHale. It is one of very few AmLaw 100 firms with a woman co-managing partner and an even smaller number of such firms that have had both a woman and a person of color as a co-managing partner. As an equity-only partnership, Asian Pacific American partners represent 6 percent of U.S.-based partners and partners of color represent 11 percent of the partnership.
WilmerHale’s commitment to diversity is also illustrated in its recruitment efforts. The summer associate classes over the past three years have averaged around 31 percent law students of color, with Asian Pacific American summer associates representing the majority of the diverse associates. Similarly, of the firm’s lateral partner hires over the past three years, diverse partners represented 24 percent and Asian Pacific American partners represented 10 percent.
In 2017, WilmerHale was recognized in The American Lawyer’s “A-List” for the 14th time. The “A-List” is an annual compilation that includes the 20 leading U.S. firms and honors overall excellence, including financial success, commitment to pro bono work, workforce diversity, and associate satisfaction.
NAPABA congratulates WilmerHale as its 2017 Law Firm Diversity Award recipient.
For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected], or Molly Nunes, WilmerHale Public Relations Director, at617-710-0590 or [email protected].
NAPABA Names White & Case LLP as Its 2016 Law Firm Diversity Award Recipient
WASHINGTON — The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named White & Case LLP as the 2016 Law Firm Diversity Award recipient. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership.
The award will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala at the 2016 NAPABA Convention in San Diego, California, on Nov. 5, 2016.
“White & Case is a distinguished industry leader when it comes to workplace diversity,” said NAPABA President Jin Y. Hwang. “To be regularly lauded by your peers as one of the nation’s leaders in diversity practices is extraordinary, and NAPABA celebrates White & Case’s constant devotion to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.”
White & Case is regularly recognized as a leader in diversity by various prominent benchmarking surveys. The Law360 Diversity Snapshot has ranked White & Case as the most diverse law firm with respect to lawyers of color in the United States in 2016, as well as ranking 3rd among the 10 best law firms for Asian Pacific American attorneys. The firm also currently holds, for the third consecutive year, the No. 1 position on The American Lawyer Diversity Scorecard as the most diverse firm in the U.S. in a 2016 survey of over 220 of the largest and highest-grossing law firms in the country.
Additionally, White & Case scored an eighth consecutive perfect score of 100 percent on the 2016 Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index that measures employers’ commitment to LGBTQ workplace issues. The LGBTQ-related policies and practices evaluated by the survey include non-discrimination policies, domestic partner benefits, and diversity training.
For more information, the media may contact Brett Schuster, NAPABA communications manager, at202-775-9555 or [email protected].
Press Release: NAPABA Names Ropes & Gray as its 2015 Law Firm Diversity Award Recipient
For Immediate Release
Aug. 12, 2015
For More Information, Contact:
Brett Schuster, Communications Manager
202-775-9555, [email protected]
NAPABA Names Ropes & Gray as its 2015 Law Firm Diversity Award Recipient
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named Ropes & Gray LLP as the 2015 Law Firm Diversity Award recipient. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership.
The award will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala at the 2015 NAPABA Convention on Nov. 7, 2015, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“Ropes & Gray has a long and proud history of being an industry leader when it comes to workplace diversity,” said NAPABA President George C. Chen. “It is a tremendous honor to be consistently recognized by your peers as one of the nation’s leaders in diversity practices, and NAPABA applauds the firm’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.”
Ropes & Gray has been recognized as a leading firm for diversity by the inaugural Law360 Minority Report released in May 2015. The distinction complements the firm’s top diversity rankings in other leading surveys, including the 2016 Vault guide, which ranked the firm in the top five U.S. law firms for overall diversity for the seventh consecutive year. Among the largest law firms on the Law360 list, Ropes & Gray ranked highest, and was the only firm with more than 1,000 lawyers recognized among the top 10 firms on the list, ranking eighth overall. The survey ranked Ropes & Gray for its inclusiveness based upon the firm’s minority representation at both the partner and non-partner levels, and based upon the firm’s total number of minority attorneys. Separately, Law360 ranked Ropes & Gray as one of the 50 best law firms for minority partners.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government.
NAPABA continues to be a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network of committees and affiliates, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.
To learn more about NAPABA, visit www.napaba.org, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (@NAPABA).
NAPABA NAMES HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON AND PERKINS COIE AS ITS 2014 LAW FIRM DIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2014
Contact: Azizah Ahmad
(202) 775-9555
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) has named Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients. NAPABA created the Law Firm Diversity Award to recognize law firms that actively, affirmatively, consistently, and enthusiastically recruit, retain, and promote Asian Pacific American lawyers to equity partnership and firm leadership. The awards will be presented at the NAPABA Anniversary Gala and Installation Banquet on November 8, 2014, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. (HSML) is a full service intellectual property law firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. HSML prides itself on its diverse staff, with 80 percent of its associates and one of its five principals being of Asian descent. HSML attorneys Alex Kim and Bryan Wong are both past-presidents of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
Perkins Coie LLP has more than 950 lawyers in offices in the U.S. and Asia. Perkins Coie has been honored by several organizations for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the American Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of New York, and Women in Law Empowerment Forum. Perkins Coie senior counsel Paul O. Hiorse is a NAPABA past-president and partner Audra Mori currently serves as the NAPABA Central California Regional Governor.
NAPABA is proud to name Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C. and Perkins Coie LLP as the 2014 Law Firm Diversity Award recipients and applauds their continued commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is the national association of Asian Pacific American (APA) attorneys, judges, law professors, and law students. NAPABA represents the interests of over 40,000 attorneys and approximately 70 national, state, and local bar associations. Its members include solo practitioners, large firm lawyers, corporate counsel, legal services and non-profit attorneys, and lawyers serving at all levels of government. NAPABA engages in legislative and policy advocacy, promotes APA political leadership and political appointments, and builds coalitions within the legal profession and the community at large. NAPABA also serves as a resource for government agencies, members of Congress, and public service organizations about APAs in the legal profession, civil rights, and diversity in the courts.
The 2014 AABANY Fall Conference was held at the offices of Morgan Lewis in New York City on September 20, 2014. During this lunch session, AABANY honored U.S. Magistrate Judge Marilyn Dolan Go, recipient of the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award; and Perkins Coie LLP, recipient of the Law Firm Diversity Award. Helen Wan, author of “The Partner Track” (now in paperback), spoke about her law firm experiences.
To see more about our Fall Conference 2014: Empowering Unity and Progress, click here.
(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)
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Thank you to all those who attended our Fifth Annual Fall Conference: Empowering Unity and Progress, hosted at Morgan Lewis on September 20, 2014.
With over 300 people registered, the full day of CLE programs and Trial Advocacy Program (hosted at Alston & Bird LLP) were highly informative, productive, and engaging with truly something for everyone. We had panels addressing topics from Asian Americans in the Civil Rights Movement to How to Make it Rain and Keep It Raining. The invite-only In-House Counsel and Judicial Forums provided productive environments for candid discussion.
Gurinder Singh, Vice President of Programs and Operations, kicked off the lunch session by introducing Brad Edmister, Partner at Morgan Lewis, who offered welcoming remarks on behalf of the firm. At the lunch, we were excited to present our inaugural awards. We were honored to present the inaugural Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer Award to Hon. Marilyn Go and the inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award to Perkins Coie LLP.
Executive Director Yang Chen presented the Norman Lau Kee Trailblazer award, recognizing Norman Lau Kee who was present at the event, and then introducing Judge Go. When accepting her award, Judge Go spoke on the importance of being at right place at the right time, most notably on how expectations of Asian Americans have shaped her personal journey and the most opportune times to break barriers. As a trailblazer in the Asian American legal community, she is the first Asian American female to serve as a federal judge and is a founding member of AABANY.
President Clara Ohr presented the Law Firm Diversity Award and introduced Dennis Hopkins, Partner at Perkins Coie, who accepted the Law Firm Diversity Award on behalf of the firm. Dennis remarked on how Perkins is perceived as a leader, but noted humbly that they are “just doing what they should do” and are glad to be receiving acknowledgment.
Gurinder then introduced Helen Wan who spoke about her book The Partner Track and she too spoke of Asian Americans in law, specifically navigating the corporate world. Copies of her just-released paperback edition of her book were available for purchase at the event, and many attendees took the opportunity to pick up a copy and have it inscribed by Helen.
President-elect Will Wang offered closing remarks at the lunch. He reminded everyone to save the date for the 2015 Annual Dinner, to be held on February 25 at Cipriani Wall Street.
We hope all those who attended the Cocktail Reception and Committee Dinners enjoyed some well-deserved refreshment in some good company. We were happy to welcome 185 attendees at the Cocktail Reception hosted one block away at Park Avenue Tavern.
This year, there were five Committee Dinners hosted: Government Service & Public Interest/Litigation/Labor and Employment/Young Lawyers Committees Dinner at Aperitivo; In-House Counsel at Izakaya NoMad; Real Estate and Small & Solo Firm Practice Committees at Cibo; Intellectual Property Comittee at Radiance Tea House and Fine Asian Cuisine; and Tax and Bankruptcy & Restructuring Committees at Capital Grille.
We thank all those who made the day possible: Brad Edmister, Morgan Lewis staff, moderators and panelists, our sponsors for their continuing support, honorees, Helen Wan for speaking, volunteers, and especially you for attending.
PRESS RELEASE: Perkins Coie LLP to Receive Inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award from Asian American Bar Association of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2014
Contact: Yang Chen, Executive Director
(718) 228-7206
NEW YORK – September 18, 2014 – The Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) is proud to announce that Perkins Coie LLP will receive its inaugural Law Firm Diversity Award at the Fifth Annual AABANY Fall Conference, which will take place at the New York office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP on September 20, 2014.
AABANY established this award to recognize a law firm with an extraordinary commitment to diversity, evidenced in part by a formal diversity plan that has achieved demonstrable success in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and minority attorneys, and also by a firm’s active participation in minority bar associations and other external diversity initiatives.
According to AABANY President, Clara Ohr, “We selected Perkins Coie LLP to receive our Law Firm Diversity Award from a field of very strong candidates because of their (i) strong numbers of women and minority partners; (ii) goal-oriented and systematic diversity plan, which not only monitors the hours and assignments of women and minority attorneys on a monthly basis to ensure their continued development, but also considers individual diversity and inclusion efforts with respect to partner compensation; and (iii) consistent financial and personnel support of multiple minority bar associations. Perkins Coie’s innovative practices have left an impressive footprint in establishing a broad pipeline of diverse talent that could serve as a useful roadmap for other law firms to consider. AABANY congratulates and thanks Perkins Coie for its impressive efforts.”
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For more information, please contact Yang Chen, AABANY Executive Director, at (718) 228-7206, or direct any inquiries to [email protected].
The Asian American Bar Association of New York is a professional membership organization of attorneys concerned with issues affecting the Asian Pacific American community. Incorporated in 1989, AABANY seeks not only to encourage the professional growth of its members but also to advocate for the Asian Pacific American community as a whole. AABANY is the New York regional affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).
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