Since the inception of FordHarrison's diversity plan in 2006, we have made significant strides and are receiving recognition from professional organizations, clients and publications. The organizations and publications that have recently honored FordHarrison are listed below along with the awards we have received.
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Member
FordHarrison is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), a growing organization of more than 220 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a truly diverse legal profession. FordHarrison has appointed an attorney to serve as the annual LCLD fellow each year since 2015.
- Patrick Ryan, a counsel in the firm's Atlanta office is FordHarrison's 2018 Diversity Fellow;
- Kristin Gray, a counsel in the firm's Spartanburg office was FordHarrison's 2017 Diversity Fellow;
- David Kim, a partner in the firm's Berkeley Heights and New York offices was FordHarrison's 2016 Diversity Fellow; and
- Lavern Wilson, a partner in the firm's Tampa office who now serves as the firm's Talent and Recruiting Partner, was FordHarrison's first LCLD Diversity Fellow in 2015.
National Law Journal 2017 Women's Scorecard
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The National Law Journal listed FordHarrison as number three on its 2017 Women's Scorecard, a part of the NLJ 500 firm head count report. The firm was given a Women in the Law Score of 85.6 which was determined by combining the percentage of female attorneys and partners.
Law360
In its 2018 Glass Ceiling Report, Law360 ranked FordHarrison as number one in "Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys" among firms with 150-299 lawyers, and number five in "The Best Law Firms for Female Partners" among firms with 150-299 lawyers.
The 2018 Law360 Diversity Snapshot ranked FordHarrison the #6 "Best Firms For Minority Equity Partners" among firms with 150-299 attorneys as well as a "Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys" based on the firm's minority representation at the partner and non-partner levels and its total number of minority attorneys.
In recent years, Law360 has listed FordHarrison as one of the:
- "The Best Firms for Women and Minority Attorneys" one of 18 firms recognized for above-average representation of both women and minorities at every level (2017).
- "The Best Law Firms for Minority Partners" - ranked #7 in the 150-299 attorneys category (2017).
- "100 Best Law Firms For Female Attorneys" - ranked number 22 (2016).
- Law360 "Ceiling Smashers," one of 25 firms who have made significant strides toward gender equality at the highest ranks (2016).
Diversity Journal's 2014 Diversity Leader Award
In every November/December issue, Diversity Journal recognizes a number of exemplary organizations that go above and beyond standard corporate communications with the Diversity Leader award. The Diversity Leader award is critically important for many reasons. It encourages organizations to be open with its people, programs, and initiatives.
Litigation Counsel of America Diversity Partner
Ford Harrison is recognized as a Diversity Partner by the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). To qualify for this designation, a law firm must have a minimum of four attorneys recognized as Fellows by the Litigation Counsel of America.
2014 Gold Standard Certified firm by Women in Law Empowerment Forum
in 2014 FordHarrison was a recipient of the Gold Standard award. The firm was recognized for it's commitment to the advancement of women for the fourth year in a row, the last two of which it has met all six of the criteria. The "Gold Standard" certification process focuses on whether women are represented in positions of power and are among the top-earning attorneys. Only 46 firms nationwide met the criteria for 2014, and FordHarrison was one of only seven firms to meet all six of the criteria. In 2015, the eligibility requirements of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum's (WILEF) "Gold Standard" award changed to exclude firms with less than 300 attorneys and FordHarrison is no longer a candidate for this certification.
Individuals within our firm are also receiving recognition. Some of the recent individual awards our attorneys have received are listed below.
Profiles in Diversity Journal "Women Worth Watching"
The Profiles in Diversity Journal's annual "Women Worth Watching" list is published each year to feature the accomplishments of women from a variety of industries throughout the U.S. FordHarrison is honored to have had seven of our women attorneys selected for "Women Worth Watching" including our most recent selection, Michelle Abidoye. Michelle is a partner in LA and was selected for inclusion in the 16th Annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2017. To learn about our past "Women Worth Watching" designees, please click here.
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National Diversity Council
The National Diversity Council (NDC) was established in 2008 and is a national organization, comprised of state and regional councils, that cultivates diversity and inclusion in workplaces and communities throughout the country and recognizes the achievements of those working in their communities to advance diversity and inclusion. In 2016, Vista Lyons was named to the NDC's "Top 15 Business Women in Dallas" list at the 2016 Dallas Women's Conference. For more information on the other FordHarrison attorneys who have been recognized by the NDC and its regional councils, please see our Additional Firm and Individual Recognitions.
Lawyers of Color:
- In 2014, Atlanta partner Geetha Adinata was named the "Hot List" for the Southern Region.
Executive Women of the Palm Beaches:
- Christine D. Hanley, managing partner of the firm's West Palm Beach office, was selected as the recipient of the 2014 Women in Leadership Award in the Private Sector.