COOK COUNTY RECORD

Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has earned Gold Standard Certification for the 12th consecutive year from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). Gold Standard status is awarded to firms who satisfy WILEF’s criteria regarding the number of women among equity partners, in firm leadership positions and in the ranks of their most highly compensated partners. Littler is among the six firms that have been awarded Gold Standard Certification annually since the award began in 2011. Moreover, the firm was one of only 19 firms that met all six certification criteria this year.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized for over a decade by WILEF for our continued efforts to develop and elevate our female talent,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president and Paul Bateman, Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer, in a joint statement. “Littler’s culture was built with inclusion, equity and diversity as the foundation, and this recognition underpins the importance of our ongoing efforts in cultivating a workplace where women can embrace their full potential and succeed.”

For 2022 Gold Standard Certification, firms must meet the following mandatory criteria that:

• 25% of equity partners or, alternatively, 40% of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past twelve months are women
  • Littler – 36.1% equity/59.3% promoted to equity
• 10% of women equity partners are women of color or 4% of women equity partners are LGBTQ+
  • Littler – 19.1% women of color/6.3% LGBTQ+ women

and at least two of the following criteria that:

• 20% of firm and U.S. branch office heads are women
  • Littler – 40.0%
• 25% of the firm’s primary governance committee are women
  • Littler – 52.0%
• 25% of the firm’s compensation committee or its equivalent are women
  • Littler – 44.4%
• 20% of the top half of the firm’s equity partners in terms of compensation are women
  • Littler – 25.7%

Littler supports the advancement of its women and diverse attorneys through its numerous inclusion, equity and diversity programs and initiatives. Specifically, the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) provides growth and development opportunities for those Littler lawyers who identify as women and/or nonbinary and helps to empower them to reach their desired professional goals, including leadership training and mentoring programs. Additionally, attorneys involved with this initiative share their experiences and readiness to take on new roles, learn how to promote their successes and identify what skills are needed to advance.

Littler has continued to be ranked as a top firm for women over the past year, by organizations such as The American Lawyer, Law360, The National Law Journal and Vault. Additionally, the firm earned Mansfield Certification Plus from Diversity Lab and was named one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” for the 13th time by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media). 

Original source can be found here.