Produced through a partnership between MCCA and Vault, the Guide serves as a means for law students and corporate counsel alike to evaluate diversity programs among the largest and most prestigious law firms in the nation. It includes over 1,200 pages of self-reported data from 193 law firms, with a focus on firm demographics, diversity initiatives and leadership, as well as strategies for recruitment, retention and promotion.

“At Neal Gerber Eisenberg, we recognize that diversity is a vital component of our culture, identity, strategic planning and overall well-being,” said Jerry H. Biederman, managing partner, Neal Gerber Eisenberg, “In fully embracing women-focused initiatives, we reflect that which is great about our community and society at large; we best serve our clients’ interests; we fulfill our obligations as members of the bar and we promote creativity, opportunity and professional development for women at every level.”

Since its inception, the Neal Gerber Eisenberg Diversity Committee has worked to expand and enhance the firm’s diversity initiatives and to build upon the philosophy of inclusion long existing in the firm’s work environment. To further such goals, several years ago the firm launched a group called the Women’s Network, which is designed to support and to expand opportunities available to the firm’s women attorneys. The Women’s Network provides forums for women attorneys to network and develop, both personally and professionally, both inside and outside of the firm. Key among several goals of this group is to make a positive impact on the lives and practices of the firm’s women attorneys as well as on the community at large.

Neal Gerber Eisenberg has long fostered individual growth and development of its women attorneys in a number of ways, including:

• Allowing attorneys and staff to balance commitments to work, family, community and personal life by pioneering the development and maintenance of a flexible work environment (including part-time and flexible work schedules and job-sharing). Approximately 11% of total attorneys and 31% of women attorneys in the firm have alternative work schedules
• Conducting the Neal Gerber Eisenberg 2007 Women’s Business Law Conference in which female in-house counsel from among the firm’s clients were invited to attend a full day of events that included management education programs featuring the firm’s women partners as presenters followed by relaxing spa treatments and dinner
• Hosting informal luncheons and social hours for members of the firm’s Women’s Network
• Sponsoring a variety of in-house business and professional development presentations tailored to the needs of the firm’s women attorneys
• Supporting a variety of women-oriented bar associations to help groom leaders within their ranks and prepare their student members for the practice of law

Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s commitment to women is reflected in the many leadership positions they hold within the firm: nearly one-third of the law firm’s 21 practice groups are chaired or co-chaired by women; seven of the eight director-level positions are held by women (including that of the firm administrator); women co-chair the firm’s Diversity and Hiring Committees and the position of general counsel within the firm is held by a woman.

“Neal Gerber Eisenberg has made great strides in recent years with respect to our ongoing efforts on behalf of women and, yet, we recognize that such efforts are never ‘completed’ in the true sense of the word. It is a goal that requires our constant vigilance and continuous effort in order to nurture a truly women-friendly environment,” notes Victoria L. Donati, a partner and co-chair of Neal Gerber Eisenberg’s Diversity Committee. “We believe the best way to attract, develop, retain and promote the careers of women within our firm is to create an environment that respects, supports and rewards individuals on the basis of personal achievement and contribution. In an age when women often wonder whether they can ‘fit in’ and be successful in balancing work and life, there is a whole class of women at Neal Gerber Eisenberg who are doing it and doing it well.”

About MCCA and Vault

MCCA was founded in 1997 to advocate for the expanded hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA accomplishes its mission through the collection and dissemination of information about diversity in the legal profession. Website: www.mcca.com.

There’s a reason Fortune recently called Vault “the best place on the Web to prepare for a job search.” Job seekers, students and professionals have discovered that Vault is among the Internet’s top destinations for insider career and education information. Vault’s unique content and services include carefully researched and continually updated insider information on over 5,000+ companies and 70 industries. Vault’s company information includes exclusive salary surveys on major employers. Website: www.vault.com.

About Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP

Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a Chicago-based law firm providing legal services to a diverse group of clients in a wide array of domestic and global business transactions and litigation matters. The firm’s clients include privately and publicly held companies, financial institutions, non-profit organizations and high net worth individuals. The firm’s client base reflects virtually every business industry, including a number of Fortune 100 companies. The firm has grown to nearly 200 attorneys who share common values of integrity, a dedication to high quality legal services and a commitment to diversity. The firm’s 21 practice areas range from Corporate & Securities, Corporate Governance, Securities & Commodities Litigation, White Collar Criminal, Regulatory & Internal Investigative Services, Real Estate and Private Wealth Services to Health Law, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Tax, Litigation and Labor & Employment. Website: www.ngelaw.com.

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