Diversity Track Record
PDFMilestones & Honors
While Plunkett Cooney celebrates a number of its diversity, equity and inclusion achievements, we recognize there is still work to do. Noted below are highlights of DEI accomplishments and honors the firm has achieved through the years.
2025
2024
- Kelli Baker named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2024 List of Influential Women in the Law.
- Laura Adamaitis Thirion named the 2024 Paralegal of the Year by the Indianapolis Bar Association
- Firm elects first Hispanic and LGBTQ+ members to its board of directors.
- Courtney Nichols named among DBusiness Magazine's 30 in Their Thirties business leaders
- Crain's Detroit Business names D. Jennifer Andreou among its 2024 Notable Women in Law.
- Laura Dinon named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a Go To Lawyer for Employment Law
- Vergara elected to Michigan Asian-Pacific American Bar Association Board
- Firm names partner Audrey Forbush its Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
2023
- Audrey Forbush named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as a 2023 Leader in the Law.
- Crain's Detroit Business names Courtney Nichols among its 2023 Notable Leaders in Employment Law.
- Firm issues three $2,500 DEI scholarships to diverse law school students for their winning submissions in the firm's inaugural DEI essay contest.
- Mary Massaron named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly to its 2023 List of Influential Women in the Law.
- Lawyers of Color magazine names Vergara, Chidiac to its 2023 'DEI Hot List.'
- Firm receives midsize law firm Mansfield Rule Certification as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Vergara joins Michigan Asian-Pacific American Bar Association's Board of Directors.
2022
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly names Senior Attorney Sandra Densham to its 2022 Class of Influential Women in the Law.
- Director of Diversity & Inclusion Laurel McGiffert named by Savoy magazine as one of the nation's Most Influential Black Lawyers.
2021
- Plunkett Cooney joins international group of law firms seeking Mansfield Rule Certification for diversity and inclusion.
- 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.
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.
- 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 its 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 one of its "Women in the Law."
2008
- Laurel McGiffert becomes 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."
2007
- Ken Lewis becomes first African American elected to firm’s board of directors
2006
- Ken Lewis becomes first African American practice group leader
- Mandatory diversity training for all employees
- Plunkett Cooney launches Women’s Initiative for attorney development
2005
- Theresa Smith Lloyd becomes 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
- Carolyn Jereck named firm's first female department leader
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
- Laurel McGiffert becomes firm's first female African American partner
1987
- Suzanne Tomlanovich named firm's first female office managing partner
1983
- Mark Robins becomes firm's first African American partner
1978
- Jannette Paskin becomes first female attorney promoted to partner
1967
- First African American attorney hired