Diversity Awards and Recognition

“Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40" | National LGBT Bar Association

Seth D. Levy, a partner in our Los Angeles office and chair of the firm’s life sciences practice, has been named one of the “Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40” by the National LGBT Bar Association, an affiliate of the American Bar Association.

This award recognizes legal professionals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBT equality.

“Seth is a credit to our firm and the profession,” said Dave Baca, our firmwide managing partner. “At 33, he’s our youngest partner, but his leadership, his contributions to our key strategic initiatives, and his commitment to pro bono work and civic outreach stand on their own. He’s a worthy recipient of this award.”

Corporate Equality Index

Our rating on the 2011 CEI, published in October 2010, was 95 (on a scale of 100).

Published by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the CEI evaluates employers nationwide based on 40 factors relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender workplace policies and benefits. The 2011 edition rates 477 employers.

Chevron Corporation 2010 Diversity Recognition Award

For the second year in a row, our client Chevron has named our firm as one of three recipients of its Law Firm Diversity Award. Established in 2005, the award recognizes Chevron’s law firm partners that have distinguished themselves by demonstrating their commitment to diversity.

Chevron—in recognition of our firm’s diversity efforts—again made a $5,000 donation in our name to Destination Law School, a diversity pipeline program with the San Francisco Bar Association (Destination Law School was also the recipient of the donation in 2009 as a part of this award). In addition, We matched Chevron’s donation of $5,000 to begin working with the Los Angeles Metro Debate League, a diversity pipeline program in Los Angeles.

“Davis Wright’s commitment to these programs that help aspiring lawyers from diverse backgrounds is to be commended,” said Josetta Jones, in-house counsel with Chevron Corporation and chair of the legal department’s Diversity Council. “The firm truly believes in extending diversity as a core value beyond their walls and into the legal community as a whole, and these pipeline programs are doing tremendous work.”

"Achievements in Community Service"
Puget Sound Association of Legal Administrators

The Puget Sound chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators awarded us its annual “Achievements in Diversity Award” for law firms with more than 50 attorneys. We were honored for a firmwide Veterans Day panel discussion hosted by our diversity and pro bono programs.

Microsoft Diversity Bonus

Microsoft’s Legal and Corporate Affairs (LCA) group rewards those of its Premier Preferred Provider law firms that meet or exceed LCA’s diversity targets. In 2010 we earned the diversity bonus for the second year in a row.

“In meeting Microsoft LCA’s diversity goals for us, we were able to grow our own internal resources as well as partner with Microsoft to increase the provision of legal services by diverse attorneys,” said partner Dan Waggoner, one of our Microsoft relationship attorneys. “For me personally, this process and our commitment to diversity have taught me the importance of hands-on involvement and the need to make sure everyone is aware of the critical steps we need to take as a profession to increase diversity in our ranks.”

"Sharing the Power Award" | InsideCounsel Magazine

InsideCounsel magazine awarded partner Elizabeth McNamara and Gwen Marcus, general counsel at Showtime Networks, the “Sharing the Power Award” at its Transformative Leadership Awards. The award honors a general counsel and a woman partner at a law firm who have collaborated to increase the economic empowerment of women in that firm.

“Top 25 Women Super Lawyers" | Thompson Reuters

Thompson Reuters, Legal, named partner Carol Bernick one of the “Top 25 Women Super Lawyers” and one of the “Top 10 Super Lawyers” for Oregon in the 2010 “Super Lawyers” list.

“Top Women Litigators in California" | The Daily Journal

Kelli L. Sager, a partner in our Los Angeles office, was recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the top women litigators in California. She has been recognized on this list for six consecutive years.

"Up and Coming Lawyers in Oregon" | Daily Journal of Commerce

The Daily Journal of Commerce included associate Monique Hawthorne in its inaugural list of the top “Up and Coming Lawyers” in Oregon. Hawthorne, a LEED-accredited attorney, focuses her practice on real estate, land use, and environmental issues, with an emphasis on sustainable design and construction.