Press Release
K&L Gates Recognized as Top Performer in Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program
11 November 2016
Seattle - Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has been honored as a top achiever in advancing diversity within the legal profession by Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program (LFDP). A Microsoft Premier Provider Program law firm and participant in the company’s LFDP, K&L Gates was recognized as one of the program’s top performers for its work in increasing diversity across three key areas: among the firm’s overall partnership and leadership, among Microsoft’s relationship partners, and on Microsoft work matters.
“Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program challenged our lawyers and law firm to deliver on the promise of diversity among the firm’s partners, leadership, and legal teams,” said Seattle partner Annette Becker, a co-leader of K&L Gates’ global corporate and transactional practice area and Microsoft relationship partner.
Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program was introduced in 2008 to increase diversity within major law firms and teams working with the company. After making significant gains toward its original goals, Microsoft raised the bar in 2015 to increase diversity among the partner and leadership ranks of law firms within its premier provider network, with the company recognizing and financially rewarding firms that demonstrate improvement in any of Microsoft’s three focus areas.
K&L Gates has participated in Microsoft’s efforts to fuel diversity since the introduction of the program.
The LFDP recognition is the latest in a series of recent accolades honoring the firm’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion. In September, longtime client Lockheed Martin also recognized K&L Gates for excellence in diversity and inclusion, while, in July, K&L Gates was named among Yale Law Women’s Top 10 Family Friendly Firms of 2016, a ranking based on law firm policies relating to part-time and flex-time options, parental leave and family accommodations, gender equity, billing requirements, and professional development.
“Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program challenged our lawyers and law firm to deliver on the promise of diversity among the firm’s partners, leadership, and legal teams,” said Seattle partner Annette Becker, a co-leader of K&L Gates’ global corporate and transactional practice area and Microsoft relationship partner.
Microsoft’s Law Firm Diversity Program was introduced in 2008 to increase diversity within major law firms and teams working with the company. After making significant gains toward its original goals, Microsoft raised the bar in 2015 to increase diversity among the partner and leadership ranks of law firms within its premier provider network, with the company recognizing and financially rewarding firms that demonstrate improvement in any of Microsoft’s three focus areas.
K&L Gates has participated in Microsoft’s efforts to fuel diversity since the introduction of the program.
The LFDP recognition is the latest in a series of recent accolades honoring the firm’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion. In September, longtime client Lockheed Martin also recognized K&L Gates for excellence in diversity and inclusion, while, in July, K&L Gates was named among Yale Law Women’s Top 10 Family Friendly Firms of 2016, a ranking based on law firm policies relating to part-time and flex-time options, parental leave and family accommodations, gender equity, billing requirements, and professional development.
K&L Gates comprises approximately 2,000 lawyers globally who practice in fully integrated offices located on five continents. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.
