WilmerHale has received the Bank of America Legal Department's fourth annual award for diversity and inclusion.
The bank's Legal Department Diversity & Inclusion Business Council (DIBC) selected WilmerHale from a group of more than 200 law firms. The award is based on the firm's efforts to ensure women and minority lawyers are represented throughout its practice. WilmerHale was recognized for creating an internal culture that encourages the recruitment, retention, mentoring and promotion of diverse attorneys.
Reginald Brown, partner and chair of the Financial Institutions Group at WilmerHale, accepted the award on behalf of the firm at a ceremony in Charlotte, NC on May 19. Franca Harris Gutierrez, partner and vice chair of the Financial Institutions Group, also attended along with Partners Andre Owens and Debo Adegbile, Associate Jennifer Jacoby and newly hired Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Nimesh Patel.
“We are deeply honored that Bank of America has recognized WilmerHale's commitment to diversity. The firm believes that hiring, retaining and promoting women and a diverse range of attorneys creates a stronger, more dynamic work environment, and enhances our ability to provide exceptional service for our clients,” WilmerHale Co-Managing Partner Susan Murley said. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to take part in the program each year because it gives WilmerHale a chance to reflect on ways to make even bigger strides toward improving diversity at the firm.”
Amy Littman, executive sponsor for the Legal Department's DIBC, said that “the mission of the DIBC is to foster a diverse and inclusive environment where our internal and external personnel reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and feel respected, valued and included. The law firm award recognizes firms, like WilmerHale, that share that mission and stand out in their efforts to partner with the bank on programs that further our diversity and inclusion goals.”
“Hiring and maintaining a diverse team is not a passive process,” WilmerHale Co-Managing Partner Bob Novick said. “Each day WilmerHale makes a commitment to be a leader among its peers and an asset to its clients as it seeks to recruit and develop the top women and minority attorneys in the industry.”