June.13.2017
Orrick is honored to once again be named one of Women in Law Empowerment Forum’s (WILEF) Gold Standard firms. This is the firm’s fifth consecutive year receiving a WILEF certification, which recognizes firms that demonstrate a meaningful percentage of women among equity partners, in leadership positions, and among the most highly compensated partners.
“We’re so excited and proud to see the constant movements in the industry to better advance women,” said Karen Johnson-McKewan, who co-leads Orrick’s Women’s Initiative with Leah Sanzari. “Initiatives such as WILEF and the Mansfield Rule promise even more progress to come.”
The Mansfield Rule, announced in June 2017, encourages firms to have at least 30 percent of its candidate pools for any leadership or governance position—including equity partnership promotions and lateral positions—comprised of women or minorities.
Orrick’s commitment to women in leadership can be seen at the highest levels of the firm. Our board and management committee is 33% women, and two of our five business units are led by women. We are dedicated to investing in the next generation of women leaders at our firm through initiatives such as our senior leader sponsorship program, in which every board and management committee member sponsors a rising star, and our industry leadership on flexible work arrangements and parental leave.
Orrick’s efforts to retain and promote women lawyers have also been recognized by Working Mother magazine which has consistently named Orrick to its list of the Best Law Firms for Women.