Diversity

Cleary Gottlieb Tops Diversity Rankings

A new report suggests many large New York law firms are still lagging behind in terms of diversity. Out of 74 New York firms providing information, 27 do not have any Hispanic partners, 25 do not have any African-American partners, and 21 do not have any Asian-American partners, according to…

Oct 10, 2007 6:10 PM CDT

Rights Group Gives Big Firms 100% Rating

Dozens of well-known law firms are among a record 195 employers receiving top ratings in a Corporate Equality Index that has reportedly just been released by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Billed as a report card on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality in Corporate America, the survey (PDF) found…

Sep 17, 2007 5:20 PM CDT

Wachtell, Cravath Rated Most Prestigious

Associates rate Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as the most prestigious law firm, while partners pick Cravath, Swaine & Moore. The two firms took second-place spots on the other group’s lists, according to prestige rankings by Vault, a career information company. Sullivan & Cromwell was third on both lists. Wachtell…

Sep 14, 2007 12:43 PM CDT

Gov’t Report Pans Law School Affirmative Action

In a controversial report, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights may not call for an outright ban on law school affirmative action. But by putting its weight behind a 2004 study that says racial preferences may help propel disadvantaged minorities into academic programs for which they are not qualified, the…

Aug 30, 2007 5:06 PM CDT

Suitors Seek Minority-Firm Alliance

Minority-owned Indianapolis firm Coleman Stevenson heard from some big law firms seeking an alliance to please corporate clients concerned about diversity. Seven-lawyer Coleman Stevenson chose Indianapolis firm Bingham McHale, for its alliance partner, The Indianapolis Star reports. “Corporations are recognizing the importance of diversity in legal representation,” said name partner…

Aug 8, 2007 4:16 PM CDT

Diversity Issue Heats Up in Miami Courts

A simmering controversy over a series of insensitive remarks recently made by Miami area judges has heated up further, following the resignation of a Broward County jurist chairing the court’s newly created diversity board. Elijah H. Williams, the first black to be appointed to the Broward County bench in 20…

Jul 18, 2007 8:35 PM CDT

An Uncommon Blend

It’s a common conundrum for many small, minority-owned law firms looking to crack the big leagues: Fortune 500 corporations want to send them work, but sometimes the work requires more resources than the firm can offer.

Jul 1, 2007 7:50 PM CDT

ABA to Provide Accrediting Documents

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is asking the ABA to explain how it applies a diversity standard when assessing whether law schools meet accreditation requirements. In a letter obtained by Inside Higher Ed, Spellings said she would approve the ABA as the accrediting body for law schools for another 18 months…

Jun 29, 2007 8:29 PM CDT

Law Firms Urge Gay Attys to Come Out

Not so long ago, it would have been a big problem for an attorney in many law firms to show up at a firm event with a same-sex life partner. But the pendulum is now swinging in the other direction. Rather than casting a cold eye on attorneys involved in…

Jun 7, 2007 6:41 PM CDT

Diversity Still Elusive Goal for Law Firms

Once excluded from many careers in the legal profession, members of racial minority groups are now welcome to practice at law firms in Wisconsin, and throughout the nation. But they still represent only a tiny fraction of those practicing at major firms, and more still needs to be done to…

Jun 6, 2007 9:03 PM CDT

Minority Boutique Partners With Day Pitney

Minority Boutique Partners With Day Pitney Day Pitney based in Hartford, Conn., and Morristown, N.J., is forming a “strategic alliance” with a minority-owned law firm. Day Pitney hopes the alliance with Gray Haile, based in Washinton, D.C., will please corporate counsel seeking diversity in the law firms they use the…

Apr 24, 2007 12:49 PM CDT

See You in 18 Months

Education Department puts ABA accreditation role on ‘a short leash’

Feb 13, 2007 1:08 AM CST

Serving in the Boardroom

Accomplished women lawyers are corporate America’s most wanted

Jan 5, 2007 12:53 AM CST

Worst of Both Worlds: Women of color in the legal profession face double whammy of discrimination

Even though women and minorities are gradually carving out a bigger place for themselves in the legal profession, they continue to face enormous barriers to advancement, especially at law firms, whose leadership ranks still are largely dominated by white men.

Oct 24, 2006 11:48 AM CDT

Fighting Stereotypes

ABA Group Urges Employers to Include Lawyers With Disabilities in Diversity Efforts

Sep 24, 2006 10:51 AM CDT