Recognition
05/31/2024
Seramount Recognizes Seyfarth Again as One of the “Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity”
May 31, 2024 — Seyfarth Shaw LLP earned a spot again on Seramount’s list for Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity. Seramount’s annual list recognizes firms that utilize best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers and lawyers from underrepresented groups, including people of color.
“Our Best Law Firms for Women and Diversity demonstrate unwavering commitment, despite the uncertainties in the legal field,” said Subha V. Barry, president of Seramount. “I'm proud of the steady and positive change they are driving, even if it’s a gradual process. I applaud these industry leaders for their dedication to cultivating inclusive firm cultures.”
“Seyfarth continues to take pride in being recognized as one of the leading law firms for women and diversity,” said Ellen McLaughlin, and Jennifer Kraft, co-chairs of Seyfarth’s Women’s Network. “Our new chair and managing partner, Lorie Almon, who began her career here as an associate, is a shining example of how Seyfarth is dedicated to developing the careers of women in substantive ways.”
“Women have long played a critical role in the success of Seyfarth,” said Tamaron Houston and Laura Maechtlen, co-chairs of Seyfarth’s National Diversity & Inclusion Action Team. “From firm leadership to department leadership to client relationship partners, Seyfarth has entrusted women to lead the way to achieve our status as one of the top international law firms. Being selected as a Best Law Firm for Women & Diversity by Seramount spotlights our commitment to inclusion and belonging as an essential part of our culture.”
Highlights of the 2024 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity:
- Representation by the numbers:
- 42 percent of lawyers are women, same as last year
- 27 percent of equity partners are women, same as last year
- 24 percent of lawyers are people of color, up from 23 percent last year
- 33 percent of lawyers hired are people of color, down from 34 percent last year
- Advancement by the numbers:
- The percentage of women promoted to equity partner is 41 percent, up from 39 percent last year
- The percentage of people of color promoted to equity partner is 22 percent, up from 17 percent last year
- 100 percent offer formal mentoring programs, up from 96 percent last year
- 89 percent offer formal sponsorship programs, up from 82 percent last year
- 95 percent of firms have formal policies in place that allow lawyers to move on and off an equity partner track, up from 88 percent last year
- Benefits by the numbers:
- 89 percent of firms offer backup childcare, up from 84 percent last year
- 84 percent offer childcare for a sick child, up from 80 percent last year
- 89 percent reimburse for in vitro fertilization, up from 80 percent last year
- 80 percent reimburse for egg freezing, up from 66 percent last year
- 64 percent reimburse for surrogacy expenses, up from 46 percent last year
- Inclusive Practices by the numbers:
- 56 percent conducted a pay equity analysis within the last year based on both gender and race/ethnicity, up from 52 percent the previous year
- 51 percent have Employee Resource Groups for people with disabilities, up from 43 percent last yea
About the Methodology
Seramount’s 2024 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity application includes 648 questions about attorney demographics at different levels, flexibility, paid time off and parental leaves, and development and retention of women and people of color as well as those from other underrepresented groups. Questions about family-friendly benefits and mentoring and sponsorship participation are also included.
About Seyfarth:
With more than 900 lawyers across 18 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides top tier advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide.
About Seramount:
Seramount is a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to supporting high-performing, inclusive workplaces. Over four decades, we've established a strong, data-driven understanding of the employee experience, which lays the groundwork for everything we do. Seramount partners with over 450 of the world’s most influential companies, large and small, to offer pragmatic solutions including best practice DEI research, workplace assessment, employee learning and development, and talent sourcing. These offerings empower companies to navigate a dynamic corporate environment and to cultivate a resilient, connected workforce that achieves extraordinary outcomes.
Press Contacts:
- Seyfarth: Tom Mariam, Director of Public Relations (tmariam@seyfarth.com or 212-218-3366)
- Seramount: Stefanie McNamara, stefanie.mcnamara@seramount.com