San Diego, California/ July 20 -- The Lawyers Club of San Diego completed its 14th annual Equality Survey and ranked Littler Mendelson's San Diego office at the top with the highest percentage of female associates and ethnically diverse attorneys.
The results of the survey illustrate the progress female attorneys have made in the San Diego legal community over the past years. In 10 of the 41 firms included in this year's survey, the percentage of female attorneys exceeded 40%. The survey was submitted to private law firms and public agencies with 15 or more attorneys in their respective San Diego offices.
“Private firms and public agencies must continue to ensure equal opportunity for women in order to attract, retain, and promote the most qualified individuals,” said TIna M. Fryar, an associate resident in Littler's San Diego office, and current Chair of the Lawyers Club Equality Committee.
Out of eight firms in which the percentage of female associates exceeded 60%, the firm with the largest percentage of female associates was Littler Mendelson. Littler also had the largest percentage of ethnically diverse attorneys out of 21 firms. And out of 27 firms, Littler had the highest percentage of ethnically diverse female attorneys. The survey of Parental Leave Policies, placed Littler in the top eight firms offering the most generous leave periods.
Littler Mendelson recognizes the importance of diversity for the long-term success of the firm, and is committed to creating an inclusive, open and respectful culture comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds--each of whom are given a platform for success.
“‘Diversity’ encompasses an infinite range of individual characteristics and experiences, including gender, age, race, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, political affiliation, marital status, disability, geographic background, and family relationships. As the number one employment law firm of choice of many Fortune 250 companies, every day we work on some of the most complex and challenging legal problems facing the largest and most demanding and diverse employers,” adds Jaffe D. Dickerson, shareholder and co-chair of Littler Mendelson's Diversity Council.
“As part of the equal opportunity effort, firms must create and implement policies that enable their employees to balance professional demands with personal responsibilities,” said Fryar. The Lawyers Club encourages private firms and public agencies to continue exploring innovative strategies to eliminate the barriers to equal participation and advancement of women in the law.
With more than 400 attorneys and 28 offices in major metropolitan areas nationwide, Littler Mendelson is the largest law firm in the United States devoted exclusively to representing management in employment, employee benefits and labor law matters. The firm's client base ranges from Fortune 500 companies to small-business owners. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential cases and labor contracts in the nation's history. Its affiliated global migration practice, Littler Global, provides support to major companies in moving employees around the world. For more information, visit www.littler.com.
Contact:
Kipley Bruketa
415.433.1940
kbruketa@littler.com