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Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has ranked among the top law firms for diversity in 2006 according to two leading legal publications, the Minority Law Journal and MultiCultural Law.  The results reflect Orrick's belief that people of diverse backgrounds add perspectives that are of significant value to the firm and to its clients, and that the advancement of diversity in the profession and the firm is a goal to which it should devote its resources.

According to the Minority Law Journal, Orrick is one of six law firms nationally that saw marked gains in its proportion of minority lawyers from 2005 to 2006, an increase that has put the firm well above the national average. Orrick ranks 11th nationally among the largest 255 law firms, with 19 percent of the firm's lawyers as minorities.

In MultiCultural Law's survey of all law firms nationally, Orrick ranked 31st in overall diversity and 29th in the diversity of its associates.  It also received high marks, ranking 6th in the nation for Asian attorneys, 19th for Hispanic attorneys and 11th for openly gay and lesbian attorneys. 

The importance of Orrick's diversity goals comes from the highest levels of Orrick's leadership, who view the hiring, retention, and advancement of minority, women, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) attorneys and staff as a critical professional imperative.

Over the past year, Orrick has sponsored diversity job fairs in New York and San Francisco and formalized its affinity groups for minorities, women, men and openly gay and lesbian attorneys by designating a member of the executive committee to work with each group.  Orrick also received the "2005 Corporate Award" from the Charles Houston Bar Association, a nonprofit organization that works to address the unique challenges facing the African-American community and promotes diversity in the legal profession, for providing exemplary support and leadership. 

In a Minority Law Journal story entitled, "Knowing the Score: Six firms in the Diversity Scorecard made striking diversity gains in just two short years; Here’s how they did it," Lorraine McGowen, chair of Orrick's Diversity Committee underscored the importance of lawyer development.

"Lawyer development gets you to the next stage," said McGowen, who also is co-chair of the firm's bankruptcy group. "Orrick concentrates on making sure that associates understand exactly how they can reach that next stage.  We have benchmarked by practice areas, so it is fairly clear what skills each associate is supposed to master at different stages in their career."

To learn more about Orrick's commitment to diversity, visit the firm's Diversity Initiative online.

About Orrick’s Diversity Committee
Since 1990, Orrick’s Diversity Committee has advised management on a broad range of issues to ensure that Orrick is successful in hiring and retaining diverse lawyers.  The committee oversees a diversity committee in each domestic office, and takes action to ensure that Orrick’s attorneys are diverse and to ensure that all Orrick lawyers are positioned to thrive personally and professionally.  The firm-wide and office diversity committees assist in the firm’s lawyer recruiting efforts, associate orientation, the summer program, attorney training and development, the attorney mentoring program, pro bono work, community activities and numerous other aspects of firm life.  All attorneys are encouraged to support and participate in community bar associations and other organizations whose goal is to promote diversity in the legal profession.