Dallas – Global law firm K&L Gates LLP has been awarded a United States Gold Standard Certification by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) for a tenth time, recognizing the high levels of success by the firm’s women as partners and leaders. 

WILEF, a premier organization for women in law, grants Gold Standard Certifications to major firms that meet objective criteria representing the attainment of a firm’s female lawyers, including the number of female equity partners, number of women in firm leadership positions, and number of women among a firm’s most highly compensated partners. For 2022 Gold Standard Certification, firms were required to show that 25 percent of equity partners or, alternatively, 40 percent of the attorneys becoming equity partners during the past 12 months, were women, and that 10 percent of women equity partners are women of color or 4 percent of women equity partners are LGBT. In addition, firms must have met at least two of four other criteria, including maintaining specific percentages of women as firm and U.S. branch office heads, primary governance or compensation committee members, or in the top half of equity partners in terms of compensation. 

“K&L Gates’ focus on its talented women, and the firm’s ability to meet WILEF Gold Certification standards, reflect the many remarkable women leaders with whom I practice law and the incredible opportunities available in our firm,” said Cindy Ohlenforst, a Dallas tax partner and chair of K&L Gates’ global Women in the Profession committee.

Founded in 2007, WILEF is dedicated to women from the largest law firms and corporate law departments in the United States. It is one of numerous diversity-related programs in which K&L Gates serves as a sponsor or participant, in addition to internal programs which include the firm’s establishment of a global policy recognizing diversity hours for its lawyers; a Conversation About Race speaker series focusing on the lingering effects of inequality and systemic racism in society; an equal justice pro bono effort to provide pro bono assistance in areas of particular need, such as voting rights, criminal justice reform, and the rights of indigenous peoples; a Pathway to Success client development program with Ms. JD to aid the firm’s women and diverse associates in building their careers; and the firm’s Pathway to Leadership program designed to help women on the path to equity partnership.

To read more about K&L Gates’ commitment and approach to diversity and inclusion, please visit the firm’s website.