Starbucks Honors Ogletree Deakins with Excellence in Diversity Award

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. (Ogletree Deakins), one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, has been awarded the Starbucks Law & Corporate Affairs Excellence in Diversity Award for 2013. The prestigious award recognizes the diversity efforts of Ogletree Deakins, including diversity metrics within the firm’s lawyer population, participation in professional diversity events, pipeline support, retention, organizational structure to support diversity, and overall commitment to diversity. Accepting the award on behalf of the firm were Chuck Baldwin, shareholder and member of the firm’s Board of Directors; Leah Lively, a shareholder in the firm’s Portland office; Katessa Charles Davis, a shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office; and Sisi Hannibal, Ogletree Deakins’ professional development and inclusion manager.

“In all categories, Ogletree Deakins consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to diversity,” said Lucy Lee Helm, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Starbucks Coffee Company’s Law & Corporate Affairs department. “In 2013, [the] percentage of women, minority, openly gay and/or self-identified attorneys and partners with disabilities was best in class.”

“The firm’s receipt of the Excellence in Diversity Award from Starbucks reflects the core values of our firm and the tireless commitment of our professional development and inclusion team,” said Kim Ebert, managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins. “Starbucks is known for its commitment to the diversity and inclusion of its employees, so this recognition is particularly rewarding.”

Ogletree Deakins continues to advance its diversity initiatives. In 2013, the firm moved up 18 spots to No. 38 on The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard, an annual ranking of large U.S. law firms based on their percentage of minority attorneys and partners. In addition, Paul Lancaster Adams, managing shareholder of the firm’s Philadelphia office, was selected as a recipient of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2013 Minority Business Leader Award.

“Diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of our minds as Ogletree Deakins continues to build its presence across the United States and in Europe,” said Michelle Wimes, Ogletree Deakins’ director of professional development and inclusion. “We are deeply committed to providing an environment that values the varied skill sets and backgrounds of all of our attorneys and are honored that our efforts have been recognized by Starbucks.”

About Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has 700 lawyers located in 45 offices across the United States and in Europe. Ogletree Deakins is the “Law Firm of the Year” in both the Employment Law – Management and Labor Law – Management categories in the 2014 edition of the U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list. In addition to handling labor and employment law matters, the firm has thriving practices focused on business immigration, employee benefits, and workplace safety and health law. Ogletree Deakins represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies.