McGuireWoods has appointed a new Diversity & Inclusion Committee chair and new leaders for its Women Lawyers Network and Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Lawyers Network.
- Atlanta partner Ken Neighbors is the new chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
- San Francisco partner Ali Baiardo and Richmond partner Elaine Sanderlin Ryan are the new leaders of the Women Lawyers Network.
- And Century City partner Lisa Atty and downtown Los Angeles office managing partner Hamid Namazie are the leaders of the new MENA Lawyers Network, the firm’s seventh affinity group.
Established in 2006, McGuireWoods’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee focuses on identifying, attracting and retaining diverse talent. The D&I Committee also helps incorporate inclusiveness in professional development, supports retention through lawyer networks, strengthens marketing and business development opportunities, and mentors lawyers from diverse backgrounds.
The firm’s lawyer networks are one important way McGuireWoods helps lawyers of color and LGBTQ+, women and veteran lawyers build communities and develop their careers. McGuireWoods is one of a handful of U.S. law firms with an affinity group for Middle Eastern and North African attorneys.
“It’s my honor and privilege to continue the D&I committee’s work along with Ali, Elaine, Lisa, Hamid and our other lawyer network chairs. I look forward to the engagement and collaboration this role demands, as we strive to make McGuireWoods the industry leader in diversity, equity and inclusion,” Neighbors said.
This year, McGuireWoods was a finalist in five categories in Chambers and Partners’ Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2022, which honor firms and individuals for advancing D&I. McGuireWoods was the only law firm recognized in each of the three Outstanding Firm categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Pro Bono and Veterans Advancement.