White and Williams Receives Pennsylvania Bar Association Honor for Women's Initiative

Philadelphia - White and Williams LLP was named to the prestigious "Honor Roll of Legal Organizations Welcoming Women Professionals" by the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession.

Through its Honor Roll, the Commission on Women in the Profession recognizes law firms, corporate legal departments and other lawyer organizations that demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of women in law. White and Williams is joined on the 2009 Honor Roll by seven other law firms and the Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania.

In selecting White and Williams for the recognition, the Commission cited the many ways the firm demonstrates its support for women in the profession, from its Inspiring the Future mentoring program to flexible work schedules. Also, the firm established the Virginia Barton Wallace Award in honor of the firm's first female partner. At an annual luncheon, the award is given to a woman who embodies the qualities of leadership, drive and inspiration to others. The event is acclaimed as one of the premier women's events in the Philadelphia legal community.

White and Williams is also proud of the representation of women on essential firm leadership committees including the Executive Committee, Compensation Committee, Marketing Committee, Associate Evaluation Committee, Diversity Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee and Pro Bono Committee.

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About the Virginia Barton Wallace Award

The Women's Initiative began in 2006 with the introduction of the Virginia Barton Wallace Award Breakfast. Each year, the firm selects a professional woman in business who embodies the same qualities that Virginia "Ginny" Barton Wallace possessed-leadership, drive, exemplary work ethic, and an ability to inspire other women to succeed. The honoree is recognized, not only for individual success, but also for providing meaningful mentorship to other women with the goal of achieving professional success. The honoree is acknowledged by female attorneys and clients of the Firm during a breakfast ceremony, and presented with an award and a $10,000 donation to a charity of her choice.

Past recipients of the Virginia Barton Wallace Award include Emmy-award winning news anchor and radio personality Cokie Roberts (2008), Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin (2007) and Philadelphia news anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah (2006).

About Inspiring the Future

In the summer of 2008, White and Williams expanded on its Women's Initiative by launching Inspiring the Future, a campaign aimed at recognizing, supporting, motivating, and empowering female attorneys to achieve personal and professional satisfaction and success within the firm through a mentoring system.

All 69 of the firm's female attorneys are divided into nine diverse mentoring groups, consisting of associates, partners and counsel across different practice areas, departments, and offices. Each group sets up their own meeting times, whether it's once a month or once a quarter, and is available at all times for personal and professional development needs. This helps to maintain a healthy work/life balance.