Lisa A. Linsky Appointed as Diversity Liaison to the LGBT Community by the National Association of Women Lawyers
NEW YORK (August 5, 2009) — McDermott Will & Emery LLP is pleased to announce that Lisa A. Linsky, a trial partner in the Firm’s New York office, has been named Diversity Liaison to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Community for the Board of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL). NAWL is a voluntary legal professional organization devoted to promoting the interests and progress of women in and under the law.
A former career prosecutor and an esteemed litigator focusing on business investigations, toxic tort defense and civil trials, Ms. Linsky has also tirelessly served as an advocate for diversity issues throughout her legal career. She serves as McDermott’s first Partner-in-Charge of Firm-wide Diversity, and she created and chairs the Firm-wide LGBT Diversity Committee. Ms. Linsky is a member and officer of the Board of Directors for Lambda Legal. For these contributions, she was recognized as a “Mover & Shaker” by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association earlier this year.
“I am honored to have been selected to serve as the LGBT Community Diversity Liaison for NAWL, and I look forward to furthering NAWL’s cause to promote women and minorities in the legal profession and in our justice system,” said Ms. Linsky. “I continue to be impressed with the commitment and devotion exhibited by NAWL’s Executive Board and its individual members, and I’m excited for the opportunity to work with them to enhance our profession for women and other diverse attorneys,” Ms. Linsky added.
NAWL’s new diversity initiative looks to increase outreach, recruitment and retention of women and minorities in the legal profession and to develop programs to assist in attracting and retaining lawyers from diverse communities nationwide. As part of this ongoing effort, NAWL has also appointed the following as liaisons for their respective organizations: Emily Kuo of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Sharon Bridges of the National Bar Association; and Cynthia Carrasco of the Hispanic National Bar Association.
“Since its founding over 100 years ago, NAWL’s efforts have helped make great strides in the advancement of women and minorities in the eyes of the law,” said Lisa Gilford, the incoming President of NAWL. “With the appointment of Lisa Linsky as a Diversity Liaison, we are taking the critical next step toward promoting an ethical justice system for all – and focusing this particular initiative on the LGBT Community.”
“We proudly and enthusiastically welcome Lisa to this position as a Board Diversity Liaison,” said Vicky DiProva, Executive Director of NAWL. “Lisa’s unparalleled and unwavering devotion to fostering greater racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in the legal industry made her a natural choice to serve as our Diversity Liaison to the LGBT Community. Given Lisa’s leadership experience, and her impressive track record, we are confident new social, political and professional barriers will be crossed.”
McDermott Will & Emery is a leading international law firm with a diversified business practice. With the creation of three diversity committees, our firm is committed to a culture that values and nurtures diversity. We understand that our culture enhances our ability to attract and retain exceptional talent to best serve our clients.
