WILEF Awards Stinson with 11th Gold Standard Certification

06.28.2023

Stinson LLP has been awarded the Gold Standard Certification by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). The Gold Standard status was awarded to 28 U.S. law firms and six international firms for their commitment to advancing and retaining the number of women among equity partners and in firm leadership positions. This is the 11^th year Stinson has been granted the WILEF Gold Standard status.

"This year's results confirm that in the firms that meet the threshold mandatory criteria, women lawyers are increasing their participation in firm governance and management consistent with the goals of WILEF," Chair of the WILEF Certification Committee Nancy Bertoglio said in a press release announcing the Gold Standard news.

For 2023 Gold Standard Certification, U.S. law firms had to meet both the following two mandatory criteria:

• Twenty-five percent of equity partners or, alternatively, 40% of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past 12 months are women.
• Ten percent of women equity partners are women of color, or 4% of women equity partners are LGBTQ+.

In addition to at least two of the following four criteria:

• Twenty percent of firm and U.S. branch office heads are women.
• Twenty-five percent of the firm’s primary governance committee are women.
• Twenty-five percent of the firm’s compensation committee or its equivalent are women.
• Twenty percent of the top half of the firm’s equity partners in terms of compensation are women.

Stinson qualified by meeting all mandatory criteria plus the additional two criteria.

"We are proud to be recognized for our work that supports women serving at all levels of leadership at Stinson," Stinson's Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Ann Jenrette-Thomas said. "The Gold Standard status is a reflection of our firm culture and our ability to cultivate a workplace where women of all backgrounds can reach their goals and embrace success while still having the capacity to amplify the talent around them. The success of women in law is vital to the legal profession and to the firm, and we will continue to encourage, support and advance their career development, leadership and well-being."

Founded in 2007, WILEF is a national organization dedicated to providing educational and networking opportunities for women attorneys from the nation's largest corporations and law firms.