Diversity Track Record

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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

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

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

2016

2015

2013

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

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
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