Virginia Lawyers Weekly featured McGuireWoods in its inaugural “Empowering Women” issue, which recognized law firms with a strong commitment to supporting and elevating women attorneys. Honorees were profiled in the March 18, 2024, edition of Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
McGuireWoods devotes significant efforts and resources to hiring, recruiting and advancing women lawyers — including women of color, LGBTQ+ individuals and veterans — and is committed to building upon its successful initiatives while introducing new and creative approaches.
Key initiatives include the firm’s annual Women’s Leadership Development Forum, which builds leadership skills to help senior associates transition to partner and other senior roles inside and outside the firm; and the Women Lawyers Network, which enhances lawyers’ business and career development skills. In addition, McGuireWoods’ Diverse Associates Leadership Program creates a pipeline of talent, including women, to shape the firm’s future.
In 2023, McGuireWoods again achieved Mansfield Certification Plus status from Diversity Lab after completing a 12-month certification program, thereby fulfilling a commitment to increase firmwide inclusivity and diversity in leadership. The certification is reserved for firms that voluntarily measure the outcomes of their diversity and inclusion processes and achieve positive results.
At McGuireWoods, 41% of the firm’s lawyers are women, including 52% of associates. Women make up 30% of the firm’s executive committee and board of partners. Nearly half of McGuireWoods’ office managing partners are women, including the leader of the firm’s largest office in Richmond, Virginia.
“I am proud of our collective efforts to empower and elevate women attorneys in Virginia and throughout the firm,” said Janet Peyton, Richmond office managing partner. “This recognition is a testament to our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where the talents of women are recognized and celebrated.”