(Memphis, TN/May 10, 2012) For the fifth consecutive year, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC has been named among the "Top 100 Law Firms for Women" by MultiCultural Law, a magazine focused on diversity in the legal profession. The Firm was also ranked among the "Top 25 Law Firms for African Americans" for the second consecutive year.
Since the launch of its Diversity Initiative in 2002 and its Women's Initiative in 2005, Baker Donelson has implemented numerous programs designed to foster an atmosphere that honors each individual's diverse qualities, such as:
- The Baker Donelson Diversity Scholarship, which continues to award up to three scholarships annually to diverse students who have completed their first year of law school.
- The Firm's Staff Diversity Committee, which works alongside the established attorney-based committee to plan and oversee various internal diversity events to further involve employees in making Baker Donelson a more inclusive workplace.
- The Firm's Diversity Initiative, which has established the Barry W. Ford Diversity Award, named after Barry Ford, a shareholder in the Jackson, Mississippi office, in honor of his exemplary commitment to diversity. This award recognizes one attorney and one staff member who display an ongoing commitment to strengthening the atmosphere of inclusion at Baker Donelson through his or her efforts toward the advancement of diverse employees at the Firm.
- The Baker Donelson Women's Initiative, which has established the Susan E. Rich award in honor of Susan Elliot Rich, a shareholder in the Chattanooga, Tennessee office, who was the Firm's first woman shareholder, the first woman to be appointed an office managing shareholder and the first woman appointed to the Firm's board of directors. This award is given to a recipient who exemplifies ongoing commitment and effort to strengthen the role of women attorneys at the Firm.
Baker Donelson strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our employees and welcomes people of all races, genders, ages, languages, ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, disabilities, sexual orientations and religious beliefs to assist clients in achieving their legal goals. The Firm understands and salutes the unique perspectives and approaches that are provided by differences in educational background, socio-economic background, personality profile, geographic location, job duties, and marital and family status. More information on Baker Donelson's Diversity Initiative is available online here.