SEATTLE, Wash. (October 3, 2016) – Perkins Coie, a global law firm with more than 1,000 attorneys, is pleased to announce its support of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) recently adopted Resolution 113, which aims to promote diversity in the legal profession by urging all providers of legal services, including corporations and law firms, to expand and create opportunities at all levels of responsibility for diverse attorneys.

As evidence of its support, Perkins Coie has completed the ABA’s Model Diversity Survey and will provide it to clients. The Model Diversity Survey was created by the ABA as a strategic way to implement Resolution 113 and provides a tool for law firms to share consistent information related to their diversity commitment and statistics, and a tool for chief legal officers to use when considering diversity in deciding which firms to retain.

“We applaud the ABA for passing Resolution 113. The Model Diversity Survey is an effective way for us to share our commitment to diversity,” said John Devaney, Managing Partner of Perkins Coie. “While we, like all firms, know how hard it is to increase diversity among our lawyer ranks, we work at it continuously and it has become embedded in our firm’s culture. We are committed to sharing and discussing our diversity efforts and progress with clients, recognizing there is still much more to be done.”

Perkins Coie was urged to complete the survey by Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MassMutual Financial Group, a Perkins Coie client and one of 24 general counsel who signed a letter asking chief legal officers at other Fortune 1000 companies to join in supporting Resolution 113.

“Perkins Coie is demonstrating its support to Resolution 113 with its prompt completion of the survey and a pledge to share the information with clients,” said Perkins Coie. “We applaud the firm’s leadership in joining the ABA on this important issue and to be so proactive.”

In conjunction with the above, Perkins Coie also unveiled a list on its website highlighting more than 100 of its diverse lawyers who have national leadership responsibility at the firm, including as heads of practices, industry groups and offices, as well as those serving on national committees.

“Diversity is at the core of our firm,” said Theresa Cropper, Chief Diversity Officer for Perkins Coie. “Creating a strong foundation for our diverse attorneys provides better solutions for our clients and a strong work environment in which they can achieve and succeed in meaningful leadership positions.”

Perkins Coie has been widely recognized for its diversity efforts by industry organizations and publications, among them in 2016:

• “100 Best Workplaces for Women” by Fortune (one of only five law firms on the list)
• “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother/Flex-Time Lawyers
• Top rating of 100 percent in the Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation
• “Top 100 Firms for Minorities” by Law360

Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.

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