Life at Winston

Two associates, one partner, and the firm’s chairman recently shared their personal experiences being the first lawyer in their families and offered their advice for thriving as a first-generation member of the legal profession. They also discussed how other members of the firm can actively support their first-gen colleagues. The panel was sponsored by the firm’s First-Gen Professional Network.

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.

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.

On June 18, Winston & Strawn’s Chairman Tom Fitzgerald kicked off the firm’s Juneteenth celebration by introducing Harvard Law School Professor, noted historian and author of On Juneteenth—Annette Gordon-Reed. Chicago Partner Cardelle Spangler then led an engaging and educational Q&A session with Professor Gordon-Reed.

In celebration of Pride Month, Winston & Strawn hosted a virtual screening and discussion with Patrick Sammon and Bennett Singer for their award-winning new documentary, Cured. They were joined by Reverend Magora Kennedy, one of the key interviewees featured in the film.

Winston & Strawn wrapped up its celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage month with a conversation with Congressman Ted Lieu, who represents California’s 33rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

As part of Winston & Strawn’s celebration of Women’s History Month, trailblazer, author, and former Wall Street Journal careers columnist, Joann S. Lublin provided insider tips on how to manage a career and parenthood.

In honor of International Women’s Day, Winston welcomed author and film critic, Elizabeth Weitzman for a discussion on the role of pop culture and entertainment in shaping society’s views about women.

On October 14, Winston & Strawn employees are invited to attend a virtual presentation with Juan Cartagena, president and general counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF, regarding economic justice, democracy building, and criminal justice transformation in 2020 and beyond.

Our Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) team in London recently hosted a very special live experience where acclaimed art historian Rose Balston guided through the compelling gazes of three significant portraits: “unknown artist’s “Portrait of Elizabeth I of England, The Armada Portrait”, Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring”, and Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Self Portrait as the Allegory of Painting”.

In celebration of Pride Month, the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Winston Pride Affinity Group hosted a virtual panel featuring Winston & Strawn LGBTQ lawyers, staff, alumni, and clients. Panelists reflected on the community’s progress, its ongoing fight for change, personal stories about heterosexism in the workplace, and their coming out experiences.

In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month 2020, the Winston Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Winston Asian Leadership Initiative held a panel on May 14th titled “Pathways to Success: Diverse Asian Pacific American Perspectives.” The overarching goal of the panel was to bring together a diverse group of voices to discuss their individual experiences as Asian Pacific Americans as well as their common goals and challenges.

Winston & Strawn’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Black Lawyers Network affinity group were pleased to present a Black History Month celebration on February 12 featuring Professor James Forman Jr., Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America.

Winston’s Diversity & Inclusion leaders recently gathered for their annual Affinity Group Summit. Joined by Chief Talent Officer Sue Manch, Director of Diversity & Inclusion Sylvia James, and Director of Coaching and Well-Being Diane Costigan, the groups reviewed progress on key action items and set their strategic direction for the coming year.

Winston & Strawn’s women attorneys in Dallas and Houston recently gathered in the firm’s Dallas office for a one-day professional development retreat hosted by our Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI).

The Women’s Leadership Initiative in Winston & Strawn’s Los Angeles office invited firm members, clients, and friends to eat, drink, and shop local at a Holiday Bazaar it hosted on December 3. This event “for women by women” featured five vendors – all women-owned businesses – selling a variety of apparel, jewelry, art, plants and pots, and health and wellness items.

Winston’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Latina/o Lawyers Alliance at Winston (LLAW) affinity group hosted a firmwide videoconference last month featuring Dr. Jose B. Gonzalez, an English professor, published poet, and Fulbright Scholar. Associate and LLAW member Marcus Garcia welcomed the 300 firm members, alumni, and friends in attendance and introduced Dr. Gonzalez, who was born in El Salvador and immigrated to the United States at age eight.

Led by New York Partner and Winston Pride Co-Chair David Sakowitz, Winston Pride had a significant presence at the National LGBT Bar Association’s 2019 Lavender Law Annual Conference & Career Fair held August 7-9 in Philadelphia. Our firm is a major sponsor of the LGBT Bar and has participated in this event for more than a dozen years.