Van Ness Feldman was named one of the Best Law Firms of its size for Minority Attorneys in a recent survey conducted by Law360.  Law360 grouped firms based on U.S. attorney headcount in order to evaluate them with similar-sized peers and excluded any firm that had below-average minority representation at any level of the firm.  They then ranked the remaining firms based on their percentage of minority attorneys, both at the nonpartner and partner level. Law360’s 2018 Diversity Snapshot shows the attorney workforce at U.S. law firms is still overwhelmingly white. Among the more than 300 law firms surveyed, racial and ethnic minorities makeup about 21 percent of nonpartners and about 8 percent of equity partners, inching up only incrementally from last year’s survey.

“We are pleased to be recognized as a firm that is demonstrating a commitment to a building a diverse workforce,” said Gwen Keyes Fleming, co-chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.  “We believe that diverse perspectives enrich the quality and creativity of the services we can provide clients, as well as the culture of the firm.  While the survey results are encouraging, we know there is still more work to be done and we plan to build upon our ongoing diversity efforts.”  Among Van Ness Feldman’s diversity and inclusion activities are hosting a summer legal learning program for disadvantaged law students entering their first year of law school; conducting Unconscious Bias Training;  employing a dedicated 1L diversity summer associate position; and raising awareness and collegiality within the firm through the celebration of diversity in its many forms throughout the year.  

“Van Ness Feldman has always been committed to excellence, and we know that diversity is an essential part of that,” said Nancy Macan McNally, Managing Principal of the firm’s Washington, DC office.  “We are gratified to be making progress in an area that is so important to the firm.”  Ms. McNally was named Managing Principal in July of 2017—the first shareholder at Van Ness Feldman to hold such a position. 

A complete overview of Van Ness Feldman’s diversity and inclusion initiatives may be found on the diversity section of our website.  

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With over 100 professionals in Washington, DC and Seattle, Van Ness Feldman is known for the enduring relationships we build with clients.  The firm is a nationwide leader in law and government relations pertaining to energy, the environment, natural resources, native affairs, health care, land use, and real estate.  

Van Ness Feldman’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee is also chaired by Michael Farber, Partner.