ATLANTA – June 26, 2020 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, is pleased to announce that the firm has earned a 2020 Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). This marks the sixth time WILEF has recognized Ogletree Deakins with its Gold Standard Certification. Law firms with 300 or more practicing attorneys in the United States are eligible for WILEF Gold Standard Certification if they successfully demonstrate that women represent a meaningful percentage of their equity partners, highest leadership positions, governance and compensation committees, and most highly compensated partners.
For 2020 U.S. Gold Standard Certification, a meaningful percentage means that the firm satisfies both the mandatory criterion that:
- 20% of equity partners or 33% of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past 12 months are women
And at least three of the following five criteria:
- 15% of the firm and U.S. branch office heads are women
- 20% of the firm’s primary governance committee are women
- 20% of the firm’s compensation committee or its equivalent are women
- 15% of the top half of the firm’s equity partners in terms of compensation are women
- 10% of women equity partners are women of color, or 4% of women equity partners are LGBTQ
Ogletree Deakins is proud to again have met all six of the criteria. “It is our mission to continue to create and foster an environment of inclusiveness through active involvement in the firm’s business development, recruitment, retention, and educational awareness efforts as they relate to women attorneys at the firm,” said Michelle Wimes, chief diversity and professional development officer at Ogletree Deakins. “The Gold Standard Certification from WILEF further illustrates our commitment to empower women in the firm and beyond.”
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. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for nine consecutive years. In 2020, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Labor Law – Management and Litigation – ERISA categories. Ogletree Deakins has more than 900 attorneys located in 53 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. www.ogletree.com
About WILEF
Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) is the premier organization for women in law exclusively dedicated to women from the largest law firms and corporate law departments in the United States. www.wilef.com