Bloomfield Hills, MI — May 14, 2008—Plunkett Cooney was recently honored as one of the 2008 “Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity” by MultiCultural Law Magazine, an annual legal publication that acknowledge leading law firms for diversity and highlights successful minority and women lawyers.

“We believe that diversity enhances the quality of service and resources we provide to our clients,” said Henry B. Cooney, President and CEO of Plunkett Cooney. “It is important to embrace our differences and continue to explore ways to enhance diversity in our firm and the legal industry.”

To determine its law firm rankings, MultiCultural Law magazine sent surveys to more than 200 firms on the American Bar Association’s list of firms with more than 100 lawyers. The magazine’s research staff then compiled its annual rankings based on the survey results, diversity statistics, diversity committee initiatives and leadership support, among other factors.

In an article highlighting national diversity advocates, the magazine features Kenneth L. Lewis, a member of Plunkett Cooney’s Board of Directors and chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. Lewis discusses the two principles that have made a difference in the success of the firm’s diversity initiative – its willingness to leave behind comfort zone safety restrictions and its commitment to increasing diversity communications among staff and clients.

In addition to its inclusion among the top 100 law firms for diversity, Plunkett Cooney was recently named one of the “Top 100 Law Firms for Women,” according to Women 3.0 magazine, a sister publication of MultiCultural Law, that promotes the accomplishments, contributions and importance of women in the legal industry. 

Plunkett Cooney, which was also listed among the “Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity” in 2005, is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment with equal opportunity for all employees to succeed. The firm’s “ Great Place to Work Initiative” provides ongoing programs to attract and retain a diverse team of exceptional professionals, paralegals and support staff.

Formed in 2002, Plunkett Cooney’s Diversity Committee meets monthly to address issues pertinent to recruiting, hiring and retaining employees. Committee members are focused on moving the firm further along the diversity continuum by achieving the firm’s goals of reflecting the population of the communities in which its employees work and live and by creating an environment of mutual respect and equal opportunity for all.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney is one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest full-service law firms with more than 150 attorneys in nine Michigan cities, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, IN. The firm has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms.

For more information about Plunkett Cooney being named one of the “Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity,” contact the firm’s Practice Development Manager John E. Cornwell at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com. 

– End –