Women in Law Empowerment Forum Awards Stoel Rives with Gold Standard Certification for 2019

PORTLAND, Ore. — Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has received Gold Standard Certification for 2019 from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (“WILEF”). WILEF is a leading organization for women in law dedicated to assisting women in the largest law firms and corporate law departments in advancing their careers by educating them on “how to become leaders in the workplace and in the community by building, exercising and implementing a strong sense of empowerment.”

The certification process focuses on whether women were significantly represented in a firm’s top leadership positions, as equity partners and among its top-earning attorneys. Of several hundred law firms solicited, as of June 17, Stoel Rives is one of only 45 U.S. law firms to meet the 2019 certification requirements. The firm is one of only 11 to have received the certification for the nine years since its inception.

“Having received the WILEF Gold certification every year since it was created is a great confirmation of the success of the firm’s ongoing efforts to ensure diversity in our workplace culture,” said Tim Taylor, chair of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “As an example, we have female office managing partners in four of our 10 offices, and we are pleased to have elected an extraordinarily well-qualified attorney as incoming firm managing partner in Melissa Jones.”

To receive WILEF Gold Standard Certification for 2019, a firm must meet the first criterion listed plus at least three of the remainder:

• Women account for at least 20 percent of equity partners or, alternatively, 33% or more of attorneys who became equity partners during the past twelve months.
• Women represent at least 15 percent of firm chairs and U.S. office managing partners.
• Women make up at least 20 percent of the firm’s primary governance committee.
• Women represent at least 20 percent of the firm’s compensation committee.
• Women represent at least 15 percent of the top half of equity partners in terms of compensation.
• Women of color represent at least 7 percent or women who are LGBT represent 3.5 percent of equity partners.

Stoel Rives is one of 16 law firms to meet all six criteria.