Lathrop GPM LLP Named MCAA 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award Finalist
KANSAS CITY (October 10, 2023) — Lathrop GPM is pleased to announce that the law firm was named a finalist for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award, which recognizes a law firm’s commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal industry that benefits everyone. The award includes three categories: Category 5 for firms with more than 650 lawyers, Category 4 for firms with 251-650 lawyers, and a separate category for labor and employment (L&E) firms. Lathrop GPM was recognized as a Category 4.
Established in 1999, the Sager Award honors the legacy of former DuPont Senior Vice President and General Counsel Thomas L. Sager, a pioneer in increasing diversity in the legal profession. Sager’s creation of the DuPont Company Legal Model is an industry benchmark for the hiring, retention, and promotion of women and diverse attorneys.
"In the midst of today's rapidly evolving global landscape, the importance of building community cannot be overstated," said Jean Lee, President and CEO of MCCA. "It is critical that we double down on our efforts to improve equity, economic inclusion, and justice for all. I applaud the innovation and leadership of the finalists for the Thomas L. Sager Award."
"We are proud to be included as a finalist for the 2023 Sager Award, as it validates a core Lathrop GPM value that critical and collaborative thinking results from a diverse workforce and strengthens our ability to represent our clients passionately," said Vanessa Vaughn West, Director of Diversity & Inclusion. "We have long been dedicated to enhancing our commitment to inclusion and belonging and that promise is more significant than ever, given our nation's introspection on matters of race as we move forward from the pandemic. We will continue to be intentional and focused on our initiatives as a prominent law firm that promotes diversity, equity and inclusivity for all."
Finalists and winners for the Sager Award are determined through an extensive review of submissions from the 2023 MCCA Law Firm Diversity Survey. The survey was first launched in 2002, the longest running diversity survey in the legal industry, gathers information on law firm demographics, leadership composition and the hiring, retention, and advancement of diverse attorneys.
In addition to the recognition cited above, Lathrop GPM was recently awarded the Mansfield Certification for the second consecutive year. Lathrop GPM has also launched several inclusion networks such as the Diverse Professionals Network (DPN) and their Women’s Initiative Network. Recently, the firm established its Caregivers Network which provides a support system and discusses available resources for planning and assisting elderly family members and parents.