Diversity Track Record

Milestones & Honors

While Plunkett Cooney celebrates a number of achievements in diversity, we still have work to do in order to create a truly inclusive environment within the firm. Noted below are highlights of some of our accomplishments. Our diversity effort continues with enthusiasm.

2021

Director of Diversity & Inclusion Laurel McGiffert named by Savoy magazine to its annual list of Most Influential Black Lawyers for 2021.
Senior Attorney Claudia Orr named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2021 Class of Women in the Law.
Partner Courtney Nichols selected by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its 2021 Go-To Lawyers in the area of employment law
Director of Diversity & Inclusion Laurel McGiffert named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2021 Hall of Fame class.
Partner Christina Corl named co-chair of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) Champions program at her alma mater Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

2020

Banking law and commercial liability attorney Lisa Hall selected as one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly's 2020 Women in the Law.
Plunkett Cooney Human Resources Director Dawn Fraczek named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of its 2020 Unsung Legal Heroes.
Auto liability and no-fault law attorney Abe Barlaskar named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly

2019

Plunkett Cooney sponsors inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Conference hosted by Michigan Lawyers Weekly
Insurance coverage attorney Nicole Ruggirello named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly

2018

Firm names partner Laurel McGiffert its first Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
Municipal law attorney Rochelle Clarke joins the Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2018 class of Up & Coming Lawyers.
Michigan Lawyers Weekly names insurance coverage attorney Elaine Pohl among its 2018 Women in the Law.
National Law Journal names Plunkett Cooney among the top law firms nationally for female diversity for third consecutive year.

2017

Ohio Diversity Council honors Plunkett Cooney's Christina Corl as one of Ohio's "Most Powerful & Influential Women."
Plunkett Cooney attorneys among featured speakers at inaugural Fiat Chrysler Black Supplier Forum
National Law Journal names Plunkett Cooney among the top law firms nationally for female diversity for second consecutive year.

2016

Michigan Lawyers Weekly names Carolyn Jereck among its featured "Women in the Law" for 2016.
National Law Journal names Plunkett Cooney among the top law firms nationally for female diversity.

2015

Laurel McGiffert named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of the 2015 "Women in the Law."

2013

Michigan Lawyers Weekly names Ellen Jannette among its 2013 "Women in the Law."

2012

DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar creates the Mary Massaron Award for the Advancement of Women in the Profession.
National Law Journal ranks Plunkett Cooney 13th out of 250 of the nation's law firms for the highest percentage of female equity partners (22.35%)
Audrey Forbush named among the Michigan Lawyers Weekly 2012 "Women in the Law"

2009

Michigan Lawyers Weekly names Mary Massaron to its "Women in the Law" class of '09.

2008

First female African American elected to firm’s board of directors
Multicultural Law magazine names Plunkett Cooney to its list of "Top Law Firms for Diversity" in 2008.

2007

First African American elected to firm’s board of directors

2006

First African American practice group leader named
Mandatory diversity training for all employees
Plunkett Cooney launches Women’s Initiative for attorney development

2005

First female elected chair of firm’s board of directors
Firm chairman among featured corporate leaders at Thomas M. Cooley Law School panel discussion
on diversity in the legal profession
MultiCultural Law Magazine names Plunkett Cooney among its Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity

2004

Firm issues first formal diversity plan

2003

Board of directors approves firm’s diversity statement

2002

Diversity committee formed
First female department leader named

1994

Firm publishes its professional objectives among which the firm states that it “will be vigilant to recruit the finest professional staff based upon merit, talent and ability. In that process, we will bring to our firm men and women of diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.”

1991

First female African American shareholder named

1987

First female shareholder named office managing attorney

1983

First African American shareholder named

1978

First female attorney promoted to shareholder

1967

First African American attorney hired