Firm embarks upon a long-term relationship with the country's most-renowned African-American legal organization to promote the recruitment and advancement of diverse professionals
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced that the firm has entered a three-year sponsorship agreement with the National Bar Association (NBA), making a significant financial pledge to help advance the organization's mission. Through the partnership, the NBA and Manatt will also jointly support efforts to recruit diverse talent and create new leadership and business development opportunities for diverse lawyers.
"This is a unique collaboration between the NBA and Manatt," said John E. Page, president of the NBA, who will have direct oversight of the partnership. "To have a firm of Manatt's stature working alongside our organization on a shared commitment to diversity is inspiring. We hope it serves as a model for future partnerships with the country's other leading law firms."
The NBA is the nation's oldest and largest network of African-American attorneys and judges. Founded in 1925, it represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students. The association has more than 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world.
"Manatt is honored to have the opportunity to work closely with the NBA, an organization that has done so much for so long to promote diversity in the legal profession," said Jack Yeh, partner and national chair of Manatt's Diversity Program. "With guidance and support from John and his colleagues, we look forward to expanding our existing network of allies and further empowering our diverse attorneys in the legal profession."
Manatt has made a three-year pledge to sponsor the NBA's annual Commercial Law Section Conference and the Corporate Leadership Forum at the national conference. The Commercial Law Section Conference is held every February for corporate legal departments that are committed to identifying and retaining African-American attorneys as outside counsel. Manatt will also sponsor the Corporate Leadership Forum, a day of interactive roundtables and panel presentations discussing issues that face diverse lawyers.
Diversity is a cornerstone of Manatt's institutional identity. The Firm invests significant human and financial resources in fostering a progressive workplace that values diversity. Minorities serve as heads of offices and as members of various management teams (including the firm's Board of Directors). The firm's mix of diverse lawyers (which consistently exceeds the national average of the country's top law firms) has helped Manatt maintain an elite status among its peers. The American Lawyer ranked Manatt 23rd out of 233 firms surveyed in its 2012 Diversity Scorecard.
"A commitment to diversity and inclusion is one of Manatt's core values," said William T. Quicksilver, the firm's chief executive officer and managing partner. "We strongly believe that the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our professionals enable us to better serve the needs of our broad client base and make meaningful contributions to our communities. This partnership with the NBA will enhance our ability to advance these important aims."
About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation's leading law firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany) and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base - including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies - across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit www.manatt.com.