Unveiling Vault's Legal Diversity Rankings

Last Friday, as part of the Vault/MCCA Legal Diversity Career Fair, Vault hosted its inaugural Law Firm Diversity Leaders Breakfast. At this event, the top-ranked firms in all of the Vault Law Firm Associate Survey’s diversity categories were honored.

In the survey, associates were asked to rate their firm’s commitment to the recruiting, retention, and promotion of Women, Minority and GLBT attorneys. Vault’s diversity rankings are unique in that it is the law firm associates themselves who rate their employer’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Lawyers are a tough crowd; these firms have cleared a high bar.

1. Jenner & Block

2. (tie) Irell & Manella

2. (tie) Cleary Gottlieb

3. Ropes & Gray

In the words of one Jenner insider, "The firm is extremely GLBT-supportive, in its policies, in its casework (a tremendous amount of pro bono work involves civil rights litigation on behalf of LGBT issues), and in its office culture. A very high number of attorneys are openly gay."

In the Diversity for Women category, the top 3 firms are:

1. Carlton Fields

2. Hughes Hubbard

3. Paul, Weiss

According to one Hughes Hubbard insider, "Since the head of the firm, Candace Beinecke is a woman, it is a great environment for the promotion of women in the work place. I definitely feel, as a woman, that my chances of earning partnership are equally as strong as all of my male colleagues."

Déjà vu all over again. In Diversity for Minorities, the top 3 are:

1. Carlton Fields

2. Hughes Hubbard

3. Paul, Weiss

One Paul, Weiss lawyer encapsulates the advantages of a diverse workforce: "The firm makes a conscious effort to recruit attorneys from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and it makes for noticeably better, more well-rounded case teams. I am continually amazed and impressed by the experiences my colleagues bring to the table."

Vault’s Overall Diversity rankings are calculated using the combines average score for all the diversity subcategories, in light of the previous identical 1-2-3 finishes, it comes as no surprise that the 2011 top 3 for Overall Diversity are:

1. Carlton Fields

2. Hughes Hubbard

3. Paul, Weiss

Congratulation to all the ranked firms, particularly Carlton Fields, whose own associates have affirmed its remarkable commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace. In the words of one Carlton Fields attorney, "Carlton Fields treats diversity as a priority… The firm has a very strong tradition, and is simply not following the trend." 

Check out the complete Vault Law Diversity Rankings.

-posted by brian