Venable has been awarded the 2019 Gold Standard Certification by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). This is the second time Venable has received this certification. Gold Standard status is granted to major firms with 300 or more attorneys that meet objective criteria concerning the number of women among equity partners, in firm leadership positions, and in the ranks of their most highly compensated partners. Venable was one of 45 firms awarded Gold Standard Certification.
"We are honored to receive this certification. Venable has placed an emphasis on effecting real change when it comes to advancing women attorneys. WILEF's certification is crucial not only because it recognizes the firm's commitment to this mission, but also because it establishes important benchmarks as we continue to progress," said Stephanie L. DeLong, a partner in the Real Estate Practice at Venable who serves on the Venable Board, heads Women Attorneys at Venable (WAVe), and is a member of the WILEF Global Advisory Board.
Certification is awarded to firms that meet both the mandatory criterion that 20% of equity partners or, alternatively, 33% of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past twelve months are women, and at least three of the following five criteria:
- 15% of firm and U.S. branch office heads are women
- 20% of the firm's primary governance committee are women
- 20% of the firm's compensation committee or its equivalent are women
- 15% of the top half of the firm's equity partners in terms of compensation are women
- 7% of women equity partners are women of color or 3.5% of women equity partners are LGBT
WILEF is the premier organization for women in law exclusively dedicated to women at the largest law firms and in corporate law departments in the United States.