Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, is pleased to announce it has been named among the 2020 Best Law Firms for Women by Working Mother, an advocate for the country’s more than 17 million mothers who are devoted to their families and committed to their careers. Akerman is one of 60 law firms in the United States to be recognized for its best practices in finding, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers.
Akerman has taken steps to ensure it exemplifies the principles of equality and inclusion. For several years, the firm’s Women Initiative Network (WIN) has served as a powerful resource to help women lawyers achieve success within the firm. In 2019, the firm redesigned WIN, with the goal to facilitate and support efforts from women lawyers to advance within the firm. The firm also adopted and pledged compliance to the Mansfield Rule, serving as co-founder and an original signatory to the rigorous certification program which requires the consideration of at least 30 percent women and minorities for all equity partner promotions, lateral partner searches, and leadership roles within the firm. Akerman is currently certified with compliance to Mansfield Rule 3.0.
The firm also has made deliberate efforts to support its female lawyers and professionals through working challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kasey Dunlap, Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) Chair said, “Having adapted to the 'new normal' of remote distance practicing in a COVID-19 environment, we understand that it is in the best interests of all for our firm to help our people navigate these challenging circumstances in order to be successful. We also know that the usual platforms for our women lawyers to network, develop client relationships, and grow professionally have been dramatically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. To assess the immediate needs for our women professionals and how best to support them, we built an action plan, including a series of interactive virtual events focused on professional development, personal well-being, firm offerings, and a family-focused series."
Working Mother required firms to describe lawyer demographics at different levels, schedule flexibility, paid time off and parental leave, and the development and retention of women. The publication found that all of this year’s recognized firms offer formal mentoring, and 50 percent of mentees are women. Additionally, the number of women lawyers promoted to equity partner has increased by almost 25 percent in the past five years. Akerman is among the 36 percent of the firms recognized that offers gender-neutral parental leave.
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth. Akerman is known for its results in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and for helping clients achieve their most important business objectives in the financial services, real estate and other dynamic sectors across the United States and Latin America.