Linklaters’ commitment to developing a female-friendly work environment has been recognised as the firm was last night presented with accolades for Best gender diversity initiative by an international firm and Best international firm for women in business law at the Europe Women in Business Law Awards 2012.
Individual Linklaters lawyers were also recognised for their achievements as leading female business practitioners in their fields across Europe. The night saw Nathalie Hobbs collect Best in banking and finance, Vanessa Havard-Williams awarded Best in environment, Anne Byrne won Best in real estate and Helen Crossley, managing associate in the London competition and antitrust practice, beat off strong competition to take the Rising star award.
A total of 11 Linklaters lawyers across nine practice areas were shortlisted by Euromoney Legal Media Group for these awards.
Linklaters is committed to supporting talented female lawyers, and most recently developed a Gender Action Plan which covers topics including knowledge and learning, inspiration and performance management from a female perspective.
Robert Elliott, Chairman and Linklaters Senior Partner, said:
“The retention and promotion of female lawyers within Linklaters is a key strategic priority for us as a firm. We need to continue to make progress in this area but I am pleased that our focus and investment in gender diversity has been recognised by the Europe Women in Business Law Awards.”
The awards were presented at a dinner held at the Savoy in London, hosted by Managing Editor of IFLR, Lucy McNulty. The ceremony also included keynote speeches from Laura Carstensen and Kim Hollis QC.
In just their second year, the Europe Women in Business Law Awards recognise law firms and professional services firms for their efforts in helping women advance in the legal profession, and those individual lawyers leading in their areas of expertise across Europe. Last year, Linklaters received Best International Law Firm for Minority Women Lawyers, and two of the firm’s partners – Fiona Hobbs and Rebecca Jarvis – collected individual awards.
For further information, please contact Rupert Winlaw on +44 20 7456 3219 or Katie Taylor on +44 20 7456 2287.
