Portland – Oregon political nonprofit organization the League of Minority Voters (LMV) will recognize global law firm K&L Gates LLP as a 2020 “Liberty and Hope Award” recipient at an awards ceremony taking place on Thursday, September 10. K&L Gates will be the first law firm ever to receive the award, which annually recognizes community leaders effectively promoting liberty and hope across all regions the LMV serves, including the Portland and greater-Oregon communities.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our inclusive culture, where individuals can feel a sense of belonging and acceptance as we work together to serve the firm’s clients,” said Pallavi Mehta Wahi, K&L Gates’ co-managing partner, United States, and chair of the firm’s global Diversity Committee. “ This award showcases the hard work and commitment the lawyers and allied professionals in our Portland office, and elsewhere across the firm, put forth each day. Drawing on the talents of our colleagues from a variety of backgrounds, we are better able to understand and meet the needs of each other, our clients, and our communities.”

Past recipients of LMV’s “Liberty and Hope Award” include Nike founder Phil Knight; Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and former owner of the Portland Trailblazers; Larry G. Miller, president of the Jordan Brand at Nike; associate justice of the Oregon Supreme Court Adrienne Nelson; senator Jeff Merkley; congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR); former Oregon governor Victor Atiyeh; and Portland mayor Ted Wheeler, among many others. 

The League of Minority Voter’s mission is to promote bipartisan advocacy for the advancement of minority voters’ rights within the electoral process through education and empowerment on the issues that uniquely impact communities of color.

K&L Gates has received numerous recognitions recently for its commitment to opportunities for diverse lawyers, including a 10th consecutive rating as a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality” from the Human Rights Campaign in January; a ninth Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) in June; a Top Performer designation by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD); and an “Employer of Choice for Gender Equality” certification by the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Portland office, commented: “When we continue to commit to standing together against injustice and for diversity, equity, and inclusion, change is possible, as evidenced in our Portland office. Among others, this award is the result of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, change of culture, and hard work to implement the initiatives that began several years ago. Today, we are building on a strong diversity foundation. Our efforts are not only good for the soul, but are good for our clients, our communities, and our firm.”