On June 1, Seramount revealed the Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity, recognizing firms that utilize best practices in recruiting, retaining, promoting, and developing women lawyers and lawyers from underrepresented groups, including people of color. Bass, Berry & Sims was among the 50 firms that earned spots on this year’s list. This is the fifth consecutive year (2019-2023) Bass, Berry & Sims has been recognized on the list.
“I’m proud to expand our Best Law Firms for Women to include diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts,” said Subha V. Barry, President of Seramount. “From increasing representation of historically excluded talent to expanding upon their family-friendly benefits, our Best Law Firms are putting in the work necessary to build firm cultures where employees can thrive.”
Seramount’s 2023 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity application includes more than 300 questions about attorney demographics at different levels, flexibility, paid time off and parental leaves, and development and retention of women and people of color as well as those from other underrepresented groups. Questions about family-friendly benefits and mentoring and sponsorship participation are also included.
“It’s an honor to once again be recognized by Seramount as a Best Law Firm for Women & Diversity. The expansion of the list this year to include lawyers from other underrepresented groups shows there is still work to do within the industry to increase equity. Our inclusion on the list demonstrates our firm’s commitment to closing that gap and working to advance this important goal,” said Michele Bendekovic, director of diversity & inclusion at Bass, Berry & Sims.
Highlights of the 2023 Best Law Firms for Women & Diversity
- Representation by the numbers: 42% of lawyers are women, up from 41% last year; 23% of lawyers are people of color, up from 22% last year; 34% of lawyers hired are people of color, up from 33% last year; 41% of women lawyers hired are women of color, up from 39% last year.
- Advancement by the numbers: The percentage of women promoted to equity partner is 39%, up from 37% last year; the percentage of people of color promoted to equity partner is 17%, down from 18% last year.
- Benefits by the numbers: 84% of firms offer backup childcare, up from 80% last year; 90% subsidize everyday childcare costs, up from 88% last year
About Seramount
Seramount, now part of EAB, is a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Over four decades, partnering with more than 450 of the most iconic companies in the world, we’ve built a deep, data-driven understanding of the employee experience, which lays the groundwork for everything we do. We meet each partner’s needs no matter where they are on their journey and guide them along an ever-changing talent landscape. Learn more at www.seramount.com.