Nelson Mullins Recognizes Attorneys for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Staff Report From South Carolina CEO
Thursday, May 9th, 2019
To ensure increased diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has implemented several initiatives to guide the Firm in meeting its diversity and inclusion goals. The Firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee (established as a standing committee in 2005) provides leadership for the pursuit of key initiatives. The committee recognizes those with a special commitment to diversity and inclusion through the award of annual honors:
The Sheryl Ortmann Diversity Award is bestowed on an attorney making significant achievements in promoting diversity in the legal profession. The award is named after the Firm's first female partner. This year’s award was presented to Baltimore partner Deborah St. Lawrence Thompson for her efforts to teach, provide opportunities for, and champion women and diverse lawyers. Thompson was noted for her assimilation of litigation teams from an array of backgrounds, ethnic groups, ages, and genders to assess the facts of a case from a variety of points of view.
The Sara Turnipseed “Women on the Go” Award recognizes contributions by attorneys and policy advisors within the Firm who actively promote the success of women in the legal profession. It honors the late Nelson Mullins partner Sara Turnipseed and her tireless commitment to issues of gender equity and the promotion of opportunities for women in the legal profession. This year’s award was presented to Atlanta partner Amanda Norcross for providing professional and business development opportunities for female attorneys. Norcross created an externship in the mergers and acquisitions group in collaboration with the University of Georgia School of Law whereby students spend a semester at the Firm and receive law school credit for their experience.
A new recognition, the Early Start Award, recognizes outstanding efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession early in a career. The first recipient is Columbia associate Donna Tillis, who chairs the Recruiting Committee’s Diversity Subcommittee for the Columbia office. Tillis maintains relationships with professors at the University of South Carolina Law School to help recruit diverse candidates. She also is a liaison to the Black Law Students Association at the school.