Firm and Diversity Committee Sponsor and Host Elimination of Bias CLE, Draw Diverse Corporate Counsel
On June 23, 2011 Lindquist & Vennum and the firm's Diversity Committee sponsored and hosted the CLE "The New Science of Unconscious Bias: Implications for the Legal System." The CLE was open to the public and drew more than 50 attendees, including more than 20 outside corporate counsel from high-profile Twin Cities corporations.
Laura Krenz, a Lindquist & Vennum real estate attorney who attended the CLE noted "the demographics of our community are radically changing. We need to understand these changes, and our cultural differences, in order to best serve our clients and the future of our firm."
The session featured David Hunt, President and CEO of Critical Measures, L.L.C., a national speaker on issues of racial and ethnic disparities and a leading expert on cultural competency.
Diversity Committee Sponsors 10th Annual Lena O. Smith Luncheon
Lindquist & Vennum was one of three gold-level sponsors for the 2011 Lena O. Smith luncheon. Named for the first black woman admitted to practice law in Minnesota, the luncheon celebrates the accomplishments of African-American women attorneys. This year's event, which took place on April 29, featured keynote speaker Prof. Verna Williams of the Cincinnati College of Law, who spoke about her law review article on law school classmate Michelle Obama.
Firm Sponsors Hispanic National Bar Association National Convention
The Firm's Diversity Committee supported the HNBA National Convention as a sponsor, which was held in Minneapolis September 8-13th. Attorneys and Judges from almost every state attended the CLE’s, luncheons, receptions and social events. A number of honorable speakers addressed the attendees, including retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Honorable Edward Toussaint, JR, Honorable Manuel J. Cervantes, Honorable Tanja Manrique (Jude, 4th Judicial District), and U.S. Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar. James Lodoen paneled the CLE “Business Bankruptcy Basics for the Generalist.” Angelita Hernandez attended the events, including the VIP Reception and Gala Dinner.
Diversity Committee Sponsors Lena O. Smith Luncheon
Lindquist & Vennum was a gold sponsor of the annual Lena O. Smith Luncheon, held on Friday, April 30, 2010. The luncheon honors Lena O. Smith's historic contribution to the legal profession as Minnesota's first black woman attorney and recognizes the accomplishments of black women lawyers. This year, the Minnesota Black Women Lawyers Network honored recent black women graduates of Minnesota's law schools and the Hon. Pamela Alexander gave the keynote presentation on "Race and the Justice System" and received the Achievement Award from the organization.
Lindquist & Vennum was represented by
David Algeyer, Thomas Barnes, Veronica Basel, Dan Gilchrist, April Hamlin, Joann Kunjummen, Jill LaMere, Ryan McGary, Chris Pham, and Nancy Vollertsen.
Lindquist & Vennum Honors Martin Luther King
As part of the firm's commitment to diversity and to honor Dr. King's legacy of social justice, civil rights and nonviolence, Lindquist & Vennum sponsored a table at the the
20th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Breakfast on Monday, January 18, 2010 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The theme of this year's Holiday Breakfast was
"Dream from the Mountaintop: Share the Legacy, Shape the Future." The keynote address was delivered by the
Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. Dr. Lowery, considered the dean of the civil rights movement, co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. King in 1957. He has received numerous awards for his civil rights career including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award. Representing the firm at this year's breakfast were
Celia Thomas,
Bob Tunheim,
Bob Hennessey,
Tyren McGruder,
DeAnne Hilgers,
Eleanor Davis,
Jim McCarthy,
Dan Gilchrist and
Thomas Pariegat.
The Diversity Committee also held a food and household items drive benefiting NorthPoint Food Shelf in Minneapolis and the Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver.
Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Ambassador program
Lindquist & Vennum is participating in the
Twin Cities Diversity in Practice Ambassador program. The program connects attorneys with students of color at the four Minnesota law schools. Each Ambassador is assigned two or three law students to mentor and meet with during the academic year.
Sarah Valenziano,
Nicole Siemens,
Veronica Basel,
David Snider,
Mike Kuhn,
Jim Lodoen, and
Craig Kepler are serving as Ambassadors for Lindquist & Vennum.
Lindquist & Vennum Named a “Best Law Firm for Women” for Second Consecutive Year by Working Mother Magazine
Working Mother magazine, the authoritative source for career mothers, and Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, a national consulting firm advising attorneys and legal employers on work-life balance, have named Lindquist & Vennum a 2009
Working Mother & Flex-Time Lawyers Best Law Firm for Women. In order to effect change, the two have partnered for the third year in a row to recognize 50 firms that have redefined the standards of success by creating a workplace that encourages the retention and advancement of women. Lindquist & Vennum was also named in 2008, the first year the firm submitted its credentials for consideration.
“The recession has created a shift in the legal industry and now is the time to push through mutually beneficial, cost-effective reforms that directly benefit work-life balance and allow working moms to succeed both at home and in the court room,” said Carol Evans, President, Working Mother Media. “We salute the 2009 Best Law Firms for recognizing that making the legal profession work for women is good business for everyone.”
“We are proud of our 2009 Best Law Firms for Women because they understand that when the market improves, the war for talent will return and they will be better positioned to recruit and retain the best and brightest,” said Deborah Epstein Henry, Founder and President, Flex-Time Lawyers. “Big salaries and bonuses will no longer be the pivotal means for firms to draw the best talent, and culture and environment will become more important ways for firms to distinguish themselves.”
Nancy Vollertsen, senior partner and chair of Lindquist & Vennum’s diversity committee, remarked, “I’m proud that our firm continues to support not only working mothers, but working fathers as well. We’re honored that our efforts have been recognized again.”
Read the profile of Lindquist & Vennum online
here.
Celebrating Sotomayor's Appointment On Aug. 27, Minnesota celebrated the historic confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. The event, held at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, featured guest speakers Minnesota Senator Patricia Torres Ray, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (right), U.S. Senator Al Franken, and U.S. District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis.
Lindquist & Vennum was a sponsor for this confirmation event, which supported the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association and the state’s Latino community. Angelita Hernandez and Kirstin Kanski, pictured at right with Franken, represented the firm. Angelita said, “The event was outstanding. It was an honor to meet Senator Franken.”
Angelita Hernandez (L&V), U.S. Senator Al Franken, and Kristin Kanski (L&V)
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar