For the seventh consecutive year, Baker Donelson has been named to Seramount's prestigious list of "Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity," which honors the top 50 firms that utilize best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers and lawyers from underrepresented groups, including people of color.
Highlights from this year's list, which is available here, include increases in the percentage of women lawyers and women promoted to equity partner and an increase in law firms offering backup childcare.
"Baker Donelson's recognition as one of the top law firms in the country for women is the result of the commitment of our Firm's Board of Directors and C-suite to the advancement of women and more than a decade of visionary leadership and ruthless execution by our robust Women's Initiative Leadership Team," said Christy Tosh Crider, Baker Donelson's Women's Initiative chair, Health Care Litigation Group chair, and a member of the Firm's Board of Directors. "Several recent classes of the Firm's attorney shareholder promotions have achieved gender parity. Our positions of women in leadership also shatter national averages across the legal industry. When women can visualize what is possible by looking to those who have succeeded on the path before them, it empowers them to reach their goals."
Through its Women's Initiative, Baker Donelson continues to build key initiatives and resources designed to support women and working parents, including a Family Planning & Support Committee, a Women to Equity program, a Women to Leadership program, a Breastmilk Shipment Reimbursement Program, and a newly formed committee to help attorneys find balance and joy in their careers.
"I'm proud to expand our Best Law Firms for Women to include diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts," said Subha V. Barry, president of Seramount. "From increasing representation of historically excluded talent to expanding upon their family-friendly benefits, our Best Law Firms are putting in the work necessary to build firm cultures where employees can thrive."
About the Methodology
Seramount's 2023 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity application includes more than 300 questions about attorney demographics at different levels, flexibility, paid time off and parental leaves, and development and retention of women and people of color, as well as those from other underrepresented groups. Questions about family-friendly benefits and mentoring and sponsorship participation are also included.