Overview
International law firm McDermott Will & Emery was named a top 3 firm on its client Facebook’s 2020 diversity scorecard and ranked #1 on its accompanying patent diversity survey. Each year, Facebook collects diversity data from 40 of their largest spend US-based law firms and ranks them using a scoring system. This year’s analysis also included a separate ranking of the 20 U.S. firms with the largest patent teams, regardless of spend. The scoring methodology includes diversity staffing on Facebook matters, meaningful and measurable leadership/high-value opportunities given to the diverse attorneys on Facebook matters, diversity of the relationship partner, diversity initiatives at the firm and diversity makeup of the incoming partner class. The firm was recognized at the Facebook Legal Diversity Champion Awards on May 12.
“As a Firm, we are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of true diversity, inclusion and belonging, and we feel honored to be recognized by Facebook for this commitment,” added Ed Zacharias, Facebook relationship partner and managing partner of the Boston office.
Ahsan Shaikh, head of McDermott’s Patent Prosecution practice and Facebook relationship partner added, “We are incredibly honored to be partnered with an organization who values and celebrates diverse perspectives. We look forward to continuing our work with Facebook and striving to be a leader in diversity efforts.”
Ahsan is helping Facebook improve its diversity in innovation program through the implementation of ideas like hybrid brainstorming to better engage more diverse employees in the patenting process at Facebook. He is also working with Facebook’s patent team to launch the United States Intellectual Property Alliance’s (USIPA) first Diversity in Innovation Conference in July 2021, sponsored and supported by McDermott, to highlight ways to improve diversity across all industries in the US patenting process.
“It’s rewarding to see the impact our commitment to improve and build on diversity and inclusion in our Firm, our industry and in our communities is having,” said Tony Upshaw, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion. “Though this is just the beginning, it is an honor to partner with clients like Facebook in support of greater opportunity—and ultimately equality—around the world.”
About McDermott
McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,200 lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
