The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) honored two corporate legal departments and two law firms with diversity awards at the organization's 2008 South/Southwest Region Diversity Dinner on February 27 at the Westin Galleria in Houston.
Receiving MCCA's Employer of Choice Award this year were the legal departments of Entergy Services, Inc. and Waste Management. They were chosen for demonstrating a commitment to diversity and creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace. Accepting the awards on behalf of these legal departments were Robert D. Sloan, general counsel, Entergy Services, Inc. and Rick Wittenbraker, general counsel, Waste Management.
Two law firms, Abbott, Simses & Kuchler and Vinson & Elkins, were named recipients of the Thomas L. Sager Award, named in honor of MCCA Chairman of the Board and DuPont Company Vice President and Assistant General Counsel Thomas L. Sager. This award is given to law firms that demonstrate sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys.
MCCA also hosted the Diversity Dialogue, a panel discussion of diversity best practices featuring the award winners. The Diversity Dialogue is part of a professional development series that gives attendees information about award-winning diversity initiatives in their local areas, as well as practical information they can take back to their companies.
The Houston dinner is one of five anuual dinners designed to address issues of diversity in corporate law departments. MCCA Diversity Dinners are also held in Chicago, Washington, DC, New York City and Los Angeles.