Shearman & Sterling was awarded the third annual law firm diversity award from Bank of America's Legal Department and its Diversity and Inclusion Business Council (DIBC). The award was presented by the bank’s Global General Counsel, Gary Lynch, at a ceremony last month. The award recognizes the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion and its support of the bank's diversity and inclusion mission and goals. In its third year, the award acknowledges the active support of Bank of America’s diversity and inclusion goals and mission by its outside counsel.
Shearman & Sterling was selected from over 200 firms that completed the Bank of America DIBC-sponsored diversity and inclusion survey.
“We are delighted to recognize Shearman & Sterling with this award,” said Amy Littman, Executive Sponsor of the Legal Department DIBC. “The mission of the DIBC is to foster a diverse and inclusive environment where our internal and external counsel both reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and feel respected, valued and included. Shearman & Sterling shares that mission and stood out in its efforts to partner with us on programs that further our diversity and inclusion goals.”
Shearman & Sterling and Bank of America partnered on a number of diversity and inclusion initiatives in recent years. Programs included: the launch of the Sterling Pride Ally program, which ensures support and advocacy for LGBT equality in the workplace, and the annual “Women Leading” event hosted by Shearman & Sterling’s women’s inclusion network, among other programs and initiatives.
“It is a great honor for us to receive this award from Bank of America,” said Shearman & Sterling’s Creighton Condon, the firm’s Senior Partner. “We highly value our relationship with Bank of America—not just in our ability to counsel them on key legal matters but, just as important, to be an active partner in creating a positive, supportive work environment. We have always believed that diversity—in all of its forms—is critical not just for our culture but also to the quality of our service to clients.”
Adam Hakki, Shearman & Sterling’s Global Litigation Head, who works closely with the bank and accepted the award on behalf of the firm, said, “We are honored to be recognized along with the other finalist firms. Through its efforts to encourage law firms to stay focused on diversity and inclusion, Bank of America’s Legal Department is driving positive and important change and setting an example for law firms and clients to follow. It is gratifying that the internal lawyers we work with so closely share our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”