Venable was recognized by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) as both a 2020 Top Performer and a Compass Award winner for the third year in a row. Top Performers are LCLD's most active member corporations and law firms, and the Compass Award recognizes those members who personally attend LCLD's annual meeting and participate in the Fellows and Pathfinder programs, as well as at least one pipeline program. Earning both awards signals Venable's continued strong commitment to building a more diverse firm and a more inclusive legal profession.
Nora Garrote, partner in charge of diversity and inclusion at Venable, said, “Recent events in our country have underscored the need for institutional change that can be achieved only through actionable policies and practices. While we recognize that there is still much to be done, Venable’s multipronged approach to identifying, recruiting, and retaining diverse talent has allowed the firm to make considerable progress toward a more inclusive work environment. We are proud to partner with LCLD and are honored by its recognition of our efforts.”
LCLD is the premier organization focused on fostering equality in the legal profession for minorities, women, and LGBTQ lawyers. Venable has participated in LCLD since 2013, and its commitment to the organization's programs has grown steadily since. Each year the firm sponsors diverse Venable lawyers who participate in the LCLD Fellows program and the LCLD Pathfinder program, which provide our attorneys with opportunities to build their leadership skills and networks. Venable also hosts in its various offices diverse first-year law students who have been selected as LCLD 1L Scholars after an application and interview process. The 1L Scholars become summer associates with Venable, and most return for a second summer experience as 2Ls and eventually join the firm as first-year associates. Various Venable lawyers also participate in LCLD’s mentoring programs. We look forward to our continued involvement with LCLD.
