Life at Winston

On November 11, we welcomed 24 new protégés the firm’s D&I Associate Sponsorship Program, which is the centerpiece of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s efforts to retain, develop, and promote associates. Each year, we pair high-potential and high-performing members of the firm’s 10 affinity groups—in their fifth and sixth year of practice—with a member of Winston’s Executive Committee.

Women lawyers from the firm’s Paris and London offices recently gathered in Paris for the firm’s sixth annual Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) European Region Seminar. The day was filled with inspiring and enlightening presentations and concluded with a cocktail reception and guided tour of the historic Hôtel de la Marine in the heart of “the City of Light.”

Approximately 225 Winston lawyers came together in Nashville last week for the firm’s biennial DEI Retreat. The three-day event was filled with networking, collaboration, strategic planning, and professional development.

Across the firm, attorneys and professional staff in the U.S., London, Paris, and Shanghai, donned purple and struck the #InspireInclusion pose to celebrate International Women’s Day and the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide.

In conjunction with Black History Month, our New York office hosted youth from The Fresh Air Fund—a not-for-profit youth development organization—for a panel on Black Excellence in the Law.

Congratulations to the Winston partners who recently completed “Preparing for Rain”—an intensive 10-month business development program, which is considered the gold standard in business development training for women.

Winston for Good volunteers from across the U.S. and in London turned out in force to pay homage to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s unwavering commitment to civil rights and community service. More than 200 attorneys and professional staff assembled 2,600+ care packages, which will be distributed within our communities.

As part of the firm’s effort to foster an inclusive and understanding work environment, Winston welcomed Dr. Barbara Taylor as our guest speaker for World Menopause Day.

Last week, Winston & Strawn launched the fifth cohort of our D&I Associate Sponsorship Program. The innovative program pairs high-performing diverse associates in their fifth or sixth year of practice with a sponsor for one year. Each sponsor is drawn from Winston’s Executive Committee to ensure that protégés have sponsors with significant influence and connections to leverage on their behalf. 

To acknowledge National Employment Disability Awareness Month and to support our attorneys and staff who have ADHD, Winston welcomed Jon Krop, founder and CEO of Flourish Legal, to the firm.

The Vault Law 2024 Top Law Firm rankings are official, and Winston achieved top honors in several key categories.

On June 15, Winston & Strawn hosted the firm’s 11 LCLD Scholars in Chicago for a full day of professional development and networking opportunities.

On October 4, Winston & Strawn’s London Office held an Insight Day for young aspiring lawyers from Queen Anne’s School.

On July 7, Winston & Strawn’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) hosted our fourth annual European Region Seminar in Paris.

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Winston & Strawn’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee hosted a conversation with Lucy Lipiner, author of Long Journey Home: A Young Girl’s Memoir of Surviving the Holocaust. New York Partner Beth Kramer moderated the inspiring conversation with Lucy.  

In honor of Women’s History Month, Winston & Strawn hosted an illuminating and inspiring discussion with Eliza Reid, Iceland’s First Lady and author of “Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World.”

Winston & Strawn’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer—Sylvia James—authored an insightful article that was featured in Savoy Magazine’s 2022 Influential Black Lawyers edition. The article highlights Winston’s Diversity and Inclusion Associate Sponsorship Program and outlines the four key components to an effective sponsorship program.

Each year, Winston recruits several first-year law students from across the country to participate in our Leadership Council for Legal Diversity (LCLD) Scholars program. During the summer, our 1L scholars spend part of their time at Winston and part of it working directly with one of our clients.

In recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month, Winston welcomed Haley Moss, an attorney, neurodiversity expert, and author of “Great Minds Think Differently,” as our guest speaker.