ST. LOUIS RECORD

Armstrong Teasdale announces that it has been named a Top Performer and Compass Award winner by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), one of the nation’s leading organizations promoting diversity. The awards recognize member law firms and corporations that show a strong commitment to building more diverse organizations and a more inclusive legal profession.

LCLD consists of more than 430 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who have dedicated themselves to creating a truly diverse U.S. legal profession.

“In addition to our efforts to drive greater awareness and acceptance of diverse perspectives, participation in LCLD has been instrumental in supporting real movement within the diversity, equity and inclusion space,” said Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Sonji Young. “The engagement opportunities they provide are transforming the legal profession and paving the way for the future through pipeline programs.”

The Top Performer award recognizes those organizations in the top 20 percent for participation in LCLD programs and activities. The Compass Award recognizes those individuals and organizations that fulfill all of the following requirements in a single calendar year:

• Member attendance at the LCLD Annual Membership Meeting and/or Member attendance at a Leadership Summit and/or submission of a Leader’s Pledge.
• Participation in the LCLD Fellows and Pathfinder Programs.
• Participation in an LCLD Pipeline program (the 1L Scholars program or the Success in Law School Mentoring Program).

“Both of these designations are representative of our ongoing focus on DEI, at the firm through our strategic goals, and in the broader profession,” said Managing Partner Patrick Rasche. “We are committed to building vital links with clients and colleagues on DEI and taking a collaborative approach to drive meaningful change.”

This is the third time Armstrong Teasdale has earned the organization's Compass Award, and the second time the firm has earned the Top Performer award.

“LCLD has afforded me countless opportunities to engage with other diverse lawyers, in-house and in private practice,” said Associate Gabriela Baeza-Stout, one of Armstrong Teasdale’s 2022 LCLD Pathfinders. “This experience is invaluable in advancing leadership skills, professional networking and relationship building, and career development strategies, alongside other professionals who have the same goals in sight.”

In addition to Baeza-Stout, Senior Associate Paul Brusati and Associate Lizl Leonardo are 2022 LCLD Pathfinders. Partner Untress (Trez) Quinn is a 2022 LCLD Fellow. They join nearly a dozen LCLD program alumni at the firm. 

Armstrong Teasdale has long been recognized for its commitments and engagement in the DEI space. For several years in a row, the firm has received the highest possible score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer workplace equality. Earlier this year, Armstrong Teasdale announced that it will pursue Mansfield Rule 6.0 certification in 2022-2023 in alignment with the firm’s dedication to championing DEI initiatives.

Original source can be found here.