(July 12, 2021) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has received Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) for the 11th consecutive year. WILEF grants Gold Standard status to firms that meet objective criteria concerning the number of women among equity partners, in firm leadership positions and in the ranks of their most highly compensated partners. Littler is one of only five firms that have been awarded Gold Standard Certification every year since WILEF began the award in 2011. Additionally, the firm was among the nine that met all six certification criteria this year.
“I am thrilled that Littler has earned the WILEF certification for the 11th consecutive year,” said Erin Webber, Littler’s managing director and president. “This recognition reinforces our continued commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, equity and diversity. Through the firm’s long-standing programs, the Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) and other firmwide efforts, we continue to provide opportunities for attorneys who identify as female and/or nonbinary to excel professionally at every level of the firm.”
For 2021 Gold Standard Certification, a meaningful percentage means that the firm satisfies the following mandatory criterion that:
- 25% of equity partners or, alternatively, 40% of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past 12 months are women
- Littler – 32.9% equity/55.5% promoted to equity
- 10% of women equity partners are women of color or 4% of women equity partners are LGBTQ+
- Littler – 20.4% women of color/5.5% LGBTQ+ women
and at least two of the following criteria that:
- 20% of firm and U.S. branch office heads are women
- Littler – 42.5%
- 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 – 40.0%
- 20% of the top half of the firm’s equity partners in terms of compensation are women
- Littler – 23.0%
Littler offers a number of programs and initiatives that support the advancement of women and diverse attorneys. Through WLI, the firm focuses on developing and retaining women and nonbinary leaders at every level of the firm. Last year, the WLI rolled out a mentorship program specifically for women shareholders. Senior shareholders shared advice with junior-level women shareholders regarding shareholder success, including topics such as business development, leadership opportunities and office dynamics. In addition, the firm’s award-winning Career Advocacy Program (CAP) has been instrumental in advancing women from the associate to shareholder level. CAP pairs diverse associates (Protégés) with some of the firm’s most influential leaders (Advocates) and general counsel of major corporations (Champions), who encourage their career growth.
Over the past year, Littler has continued to be ranked as a top firm for women by organizations such as The American Lawyer, Law360, The National Law Journal and Vault. Additionally, Littler earned Mansfield Certification Plus status from Diversity Lab, was named one of the “Best Law Firms for Women” for the 12th time by Seramount (formerly Working Mother Media), and was recognized in the 2021 Yale Law Women Top Firms Report for its diverse leadership and part-time work options.
About Littler
With more than 1,600 labor and employment attorneys in offices around the world, Littler provides workplace solutions that are local, everywhere. Our diverse global team and proprietary technology foster a culture that celebrates original thinking, delivering groundbreaking innovation that prepares employers for what’s happening today, and what’s likely to happen tomorrow.