Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion

When it comes to driving diversity and inclusion, many companies and law firms spend way too much time talking and not enough time doing. As the largest, national, full-service, woman-owned law firm in the U.S., we don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. Our demographics and stats speak for themselves, as does our unique, objective, and 100% transparent compensation system.

WE ARE THE LARGEST NATIONAL FULL-SERVICE WOMEN-OWNED LAW FIRM IN THE U.S.

80%

80% of our leadership Team are women

47%

of our Practice Group Leaders are women

30%

of our attorneys are women

29%

of our attorneys self-identify in one or more diversity categories

19%

of our attorneys self-identify as LGBTQ+

12%

of our attorneys self-identify as disabled

10%

of our attorneys self-identify as people of color

CM Law PLLC is proud to report the firm’s diversity data that exceeds the numbers at most (if not all) national law firms.

Our multi-ethnic multi-cultural roster, includes attorneys with African American, Asian American, Latino and Native American roots, along with representation from LGBTQ+ and disabled groups. Still, we don’t pretend to be perfect or claim to have it all figured out, but we’re definitely not afraid of having tough conversations, acknowledging the realities of unconscious bias and adopting practical and meaningful changes to help us keep moving the needle.

We’re proud to lead the charge for equality as the largest women-owned, national, full-service law firm in the U.S.

Looking beyond the raw demographic data, CM Law has also fully eliminated the traditional glass ceiling of gender-biased compensation. Indeed, for the past several years the female attorneys at CM Law have historically achieved a higher average take-home compensation than their male counterparts, and women frequently represent a significant percentage of our annual “Top 10” earners.

Thought Leadership

Our attorneys are honored by frequent requests to speak, opine or write about diversity and inclusion topics within the legal and business communities. Here are some recent examples:

In the News: OUR COMMITMENT TO Diversity & Inclusion

Grant Walsh Interviewed by Medium: How To Create More Inclusive Workplaces

March 17, 2024

Kelly Culhane & Nicole Joseph: How Firms Can Ensure Associate Gender Parity Lasts

March 01, 2024

Jo Bennett is guest on “Hold On…Let Me Close My Door” podcast to discuss the NYS Pay Transparency Law

December 29, 2023

Culhane Meadows Honored by NAMWOLF as the 2023 Law Firm MVP

October 29, 2023

Kelly Culhane Interviewed By Texas Lawyer: Culhane Meadows Eyeing Westward Growth, ‘Staying the Course’ on Diverse Hiring

October 02, 2023

Stephen J. Weed in Law360: USPTO Efforts On Patent Bar DEI Miss Underlying Issues

August 15, 2023

Awards and Recognitions

As recognition of our comittment toward a more diverse and inclusive legal marketplace, and because of our willingness to think outside the box, many outside DEI organizations have honored our firm and members of our Leadership Team with various awards and accolades, including:

Awards & Recognitions: CM Law Diversity & Inclusion

Texas Lawyer names Kelly CM Law a 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Champion

We’re proud to lead the charge for equality as the largest national full-service women-owned law firm in the U.S. and we are certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Memberships & Involvement

NAMWOLF

CM Law is an active member of NAMWOLF (the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms) and was named as the organization’s 2021 Law Firm MVP of the Year. Founded in 2001, NAMWOLF this is a nonprofit trade association comprised of minority and women-owned law firms throughout the United States. Many corporations and public entities interested in diversifying their outside law firm ranks turn to NAMWOLF’s carefully screened member firms to fulfill those needs. NAMWOLF’s Law Firm Membership is comprised exclusively of AV-rated firms across the nation that represent major corporate clients. NAMWOLF assists its Law Firm Members in developing strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations with large corporations, in-house counsel, and other legal trade associations. Through these efforts, NAMWOLF helps empower and raise the profile of law firms like CM Law Meadows that have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

CM Law was named WOL's 2021 Champion of the Year for advancing females in the legal industry

CM Law’s attorneys have been active in Women Owned Law (WOL), a ground-breaking group created to connect and advance women legal entrepreneurs. WOL supports its members and other women entrepreneurs in the law in their business endeavors at every point in the business life-cycle. CM Law proudly advocates on behalf of women legal entrepreneurs and has been instrumental in raising the profile of women in the law through our support and involvement with WOL. The WOL Board of Directors recently named CM Law Meadows as the 2021 Champion Law Firm of the Year.

CM Law attorneys are regular supporters, sponsors and attendees for numerous diversity-focused bar organizations, conferences, and trade groups, including:

CM Law Diversity & Inclusion

Hispanic National Bar Association
National Bar Association
National Association of Women Lawyers
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
National LGBTQ+ Bar Association

LAVENDER LAW CONFERENCE & CAREER FAIR (LGBTQ+)
Sponsor to the Austin Bar Association’s Equity Summit
the Travis County Women Lawyers' Association

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