Firm Recognitions
The American Lawyer's 2013 Diversity Scorecard
The firm was recently ranked as one of the nation's top law firms for diversity on The American Lawyer's 2013 Diversity Scorecard. This is the publication's annual ranking of firms according to the proportion of minority representation within their respective partnerships and overall lawyer populations.
MultiCultural Law Magazine:
- Ranked in the 2012 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity" listing
- The firm ranked 50th among the nation's leading law firms and also received high honors among the following specialized listings:
- 6th in the "Top 25 Law Firms for African-Americans" listing
- 7th in the "Top 50 Law Firms for Associates" listing
- 8th in the "Top 25 Law Firms for Hispanic-Americans" listing
- 27th in the "Top 100 Law firms for Women" listing
- 29th in the "Top 50 Law Firms for Partners" listing
2014 Gold Standard Certified firm by Women in Law Empowerment Forum
In 2014 FordHarrison was a recipient of the Gold Standard award. The firm was recognized for it's commitment to the advancement of women for the fourth year in a row, the last two of which it has met all six of the criteria. The "Gold Standard" certification process focuses on whether women are represented in positions of power and are among the top-earning attorneys. Only 46 firms nationwide met the criteria for 2014, and FordHarrison was one of only seven firms to meet all six of the criteria. In 2015, the eligibility requirements of the Women in Law Empowerment Forum's (WILEF) "Gold Standard" award changed to exclude firms with less than 300 attorneys and FordHarrison is no longer a candidate for this certification.
Diversity Journal's 2014 Diversity Leader Award
In every November/December issue, Diversity Journal recognizes a number of exemplary organizations that go above and beyond standard corporate communications with the Diversity Leader award. The Diversity Leader award is critically important for many reasons. It encourages organizations to be open with its people, programs, and initiatives.
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA):
Honored with the 2011 Thomas L. Sager Award for the South/Southwest Region - this award is given to law firms that demonstrate a sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys.
Tampa Bay Business Journal:
- Honored at the 2010 Annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards – FordHarrison received the top award for the company/corporation category for our comprehensive diversity and inclusion efforts.
Individual Recognitions
National Diversity Council:
- Patricia G. Griffith, an Atlanta-based partner, was honored as one of the "Most Powerful & Influential Women of Georgia" at the annual Georgia Diversity and Leadership Conference in 2012.
- Tracey K. Jaensch, managing partner of the firm's Tampa office, and Kay Wolf, a now-retired partner in the firm's Orlando office, were honored as two of Florida's "Most Powerful Women" at the Florida Diversity & Leadership Conference in 2011.
The Helen Gordon Davis Centre for Women:
- Dawn Siler-Nixon, the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Partner, was selected for inclusion in the "League of Extraordinary Women"
National Black Lawyers:
- Destiny S. Washington, a Senior Associate in the Atlanta office is listed in "The National Black Lawyers - Top 100"
George Edgecomb Bar Association:
- Dawn Siler-Nixon, the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Partner, was awarded the Delano S. Stewart Diversity Award by the George Edgecomb Bar Association in 2012.
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Member
LCLD Fellows
- Paige Lyle, a counsel in the firm's Nashville office is FordHarrison's 2023 Diversity Fellow;
- Jamie Mahler Westbrook, a counsel in the firm's St. Louis office is FordHarrison's 2022 Diversity Fellow;
- David Cheng, a partner in the firm's Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Area offices is FordHarrison's 2021 Diversity Fellow;
- Destiny Washington, a former counsel in the firm's Atlanta office was FordHarrison's 2020 Diversity Fellow;
- Tim Reed, a former partner in the firm's San Francisco office was FordHarrison's 2019 Diversity Fellow;
- Patrick Ryan, a former partner in the firm's Atlanta office was FordHarrison's 2018 Diversity Fellow;
- Kristin Gray, a partner in the firm's Spartanburg office was FordHarrison's 2017 Diversity Fellow;
- David Kim, a former partner in the firm's Berkeley Heights and New York offices was FordHarrison's 2016 Diversity Fellow; and
- Lavern Wilson, a partner in the firm's Tampa office who now serves as the firm's Talent and Recruiting Partner, was FordHarrison's first LCLD Diversity Fellow in 2015.
LCLD Pathfinders
- Jennifer Ohn, former senior associate in the firm's Dallas office, and Danielle Pierre, former senior associate in the firm's Washington, D.C. office, were FordHarrison's 2023 Diversity Pathfinders;
- Nicole T. Herron, a former senior associate in the firm's Dallas office, and Min K. Kim, counsel in the firm's Los Angeles office, were FordHarrison's 2022 Diversity Pathfinders;
- Jenny Choi, counsel in the firm's Los Angeles office was FordHarrison's 2021 Diversity Pathfinder;
- Fabian Ruiz, a former senior associate in the firm's Miami office was FordHarrison's first Diversity Pathfinder in 2020.
Profiles in Diversity Journal "Women Worth Watching":
- Kristin Gray, Spartanburg partner, was selected for inclusion in the 22nd annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2023.
- Geetha Adinata, a Los Angeles based partner and key member of FordHarrison's Business Immigration Group, was selected for inclusion in the 20th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2021.
- Rachel Ullrich, a Dallas based partner and key member of FordHarrison's Coronavirus Taskforce, was selected for inclusion in the 19th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2020.
- Amy Turci, the managing partner of the firm's Jacksonville office, was selected for inclusion in the 18th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2019.
- Angela B. Cummings, the former managing partner of the firm's Charlotte office, was selected for inclusion in the 17th Annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2018.
- Tiffany D. Downs, an Atlanta based partner and leader of FordHarrison's Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group, was selected for inclusion in the 15th Annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2016.
- Christine D. Hanley, the former managing partner of the West Palm Beach office, was selected for inclusion in the 14th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2015.
- Tracey K. Jaensch, the regional managing partner of the firm's Florida offices, was selected for inclusion in the 13th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2014.
- Buena (Vista) Lyons, the managing partner of the firm's Dallas office, was selected for inclusion in the 12th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2013.
- Kay L. Wolf, a now-retired Orlando based partner, was selected for inclusion in the 11th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2012.
- Dawn Siler-Nixon, the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Partner, was selected for inclusion in the 9th annual "Women Worth Watching" issue in 2010.
Profiles in Diversity Journal "Latino Leadership International Award" (formerly "Latino Leaders Worth Watching"):
- Luis Santos, Deputy Diversity Partner based in firm's Tampa office, was selected for inclusion in the "Latino Leadership International Award" issue of Profile in Diversity Journal in 2023.
- Allison Vasquez Saunders, partner in the firm's Los Angeles office, was selected for inclusion in the "Latino Leaders Worth Watching" issue of Profile in Diversity Journal in 2021.
Savoy Magazine:
- Dawn Siler-Nixon, the firm's Diversity and Inclusion Partner, was recognized in the publication's "Most Influential Black Lawyers" list
National Diversity Council
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The National Diversity Council (NDC) was established in 2008 and is a national organization, comprised of state and regional councils, that cultivates diversity and inclusion in workplaces and communities throughout the country and recognizes the achievements of those working in their communities to advance diversity and inclusion. In 2016, Vista Lyons was named to the NDC's "Top 15 Business Women in Dallas" list at the 2016 Dallas Women's Conference. For more information on the other FordHarrison attorneys who have been recognized by the NDC and its regional councils, please see our Additional Firm and Individual Recognitions.
Lawyers of Color:
- In 2014, Atlanta partner Geetha Adinata was named the "Hot List" for the Southern Region.
Executive Women of the Palm Beaches:
- Christine D. Hanley, former managing partner of the firm's West Palm Beach office, was selected as the recipient of the 2014 Women in Leadership Award in the Private Sector.