The law firm of Lavin, O’Neil, Ricci, Cedrone & DiSipio in Philadelphia, has been chosen to receive the Women in the Profession’s Award for the Promotion of Women to Leadership Positions Within the Firm.
Lavin, O’Neil is a 70-lawyer, mid-sized firm specializing in civil litigation, with offices in Philadelphia, Manhattan and Mount Laurel, NJ. The firm has served as local, regional and national counsel for large and small corporations across the country in a variety of civil matters.
Lavin, O’Neil prides itself on its diverse practice and practitioners and its dedication to bringing together “the best lawyers in diversity,” as its motto states. Women comprise 43 percent of its lawyers, over 30 percent of its shareholders, 25 percent of its shareholder-administrators and 54 percent of its associates.
The Award for the Promotion of Women to Leadership Positions Within the Firm was established in 2002 to recognize the firm among the 100 largest firms in Pennsylvania that has done the most to promote its women lawyers to leadership positions within the firm. By celebrating the accomplishments of the firm that is selected to be honored, the award recognizes standards that other firms can aspire to meet. By describing the methods the firm uses to promote women to leadership positions, the award highlights successful tactics that other firms can emulate.
The important leadership positions in most firms that carry the greatest prestige and monetary awards are managing partner, equity partner, and department/section/practice group head. The representation of women in substantial percentages in these categories show a firm’s commitment to utilize and reward the talents and abilities of all of its most accomplished lawyers.
The total percentage of women in a firm does not indicate that the firm is making the best use of its talented and able women lawyers unless they are also well-represented in leadership positions. Associate and non-equity partner positions may or may not be stepping-stones to true leadership positions in a firm. Part-time positions might be compatible with wholesome family life and provide some women and men the ability to practice their profession which would not be available if they had to work full time. However, part-time positions should not be dead-end positions that exclude the possibility of equity partnership or other leadership positions. Opportunities for advancement of excellent lawyers should be available in varying circumstances.
For link to photo of some of our women attorneys pictured with Managing Shareholder Basil A. DiSipio, click here: