Nixon Peabody Diversity Update

November 2007 Nixon Peabody is HRC Inside this issue: National Dinner sponsor Laura Whitbeck represents Nixon Peabody on panel; Corning wins leadership award 2 Again this year, Nixon Peabody purchased a table at the 11th Annual The grades are in and Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National Dinner on October 6, 2007 at Nixon Peabody tops the list 3 the Washington Convention Center. For its sponsorship, the firm received Nixon Peabody wins recognition in the program and on the television screens at the event. Top Five Spectrum Award 3 Affinity group retreat set Members of the firm who attended the event included Randall Kelly, for November 1 and 2 4 Michael Reardon, Monica Sussman, all partners in the Washington DC McKnight scholarship office; Christine Brosonski, a paralegal in Washington DC; Bill Baldwin, an recipients update 5 associate in Washington DC; and Bill Kelly, a partner in the Boston office. Firm sponsors MCCA Dinner 6 The firm also invited four clients and a local District of Columbia official. Nixon Peabody sponsors Spirit of Justice Award annual dinner 7 “All of our guests were inspired by the positive messages of the evening. It was Pride in Our Work event an evening of celebration, and everyone had an enjoyable time,” Randy said. provides networking opportunities 8 Women of Color in New York City 8 At the event, the HRC recognized the efforts of Washington’s Gay and Nixon Peabody contributes to Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU). Additionally, Matthew Broderick, the 12th annual SAGE dinner 9 award-winning actor; Sheryl Swoopes, a WNBA player with the Houston Diversity remains a top focus Comets; and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were honored—and spoke. in recruiting efforts 10 Approximately 3,000 people attended the sold-out dinner, according to Nixon Peabody is a Marin Services published reports. “It was a great opportunity for Nixon Peabody to show for Women dinner sponsor 11 its leadership in diversity efforts and to network with some of the largest Providence office named Best Place to Work 12 and most well-known corporations in the country,” Michael said. Nixon Peabody attends inner-city scholarship fund lunch 13 During this year’s dinner, transgender activists protested outside the event, as well as inside, because of controversy surrounding the then-pending continued on the next page . . . Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Printed on paper containing 100% post-consumer fiber and manufactured with wind power. Inside this issue continued: The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization Susan Robfogel named first woman working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By chair for George Eastman House 13 inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination Laurie Miller recognized against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fair- for her work 14 ness and equality for all. Three Nixon Peabody women named Upstate New York Super Lawyers 14 Congratulations to Grace Wu 14 Stacie Boeniger Collier named Laura Whitbeck represents to Providence Business News’ 40 under Forty 15 Nixon Peabody on panel; Anita Pelletier selected for Up and Coming Award 15 Corning wins leadership award Anjali Chaturvedi speaks at South Asian Bar dinner 15 Laura Whitbeck, Nixon Peabody’s Library Resources manager, was a pan- Andrea Cohen joins elist at the annual Equality Leadership Conference held October 19 in BayBio Institute board 16 Rochester, New York. The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley (GAGV) and the Cathy Fleming quoted in new book 16 Finger Lakes LGBT Workforce Alliance (FLLWA) sponsored the event. Laurie Miller’s new role garners national attention 16 At this year’s conference, Corning Inc. was awarded the 2007 Business Anita Pelletier’s article appears Leadership Award, which is given to a company that is recognized as a in Business Strategy 16 leader in the advancement of fair and equitable workplaces for LGBT Joe Ortego and Tracey Ehlers employees. Two representatives from Corning, including Debra Turner- write diversity article for Bailey, the company’s director of diversity, accepted the award, which is National Law Journal 17 presented annually. Nixon Peabody won the award at the 2006 Equality Kendal Tyre speaks at Congressional Black Caucus 17 Leadership Conference, and the firm congratulates Corning on its award and its commitment to the LGBT community.

Susan John, a New York State Assembly member, received the 2007 Community Leadership Award. This individual recognition is given to someone who has “made a significant contribution to the greater Rochester area LGBT community,” according to the conference program.

The daylong conference was held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The conference included nine educational sessions, as well as a keynote address.

Debra Turner-Bailey, Corning Inc.’s director of diversity, along with another company representative, accepted The workshop in which Laura was a participant was titled Learning from the 2007 Business Leadership Award, which as presented Each Other: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Gay Straight Alliances by a representative from Eastman Kodak Company. (GSAs). It included panelists from Corning, Thomson West, Wilson Magnet High School and Nazareth College, as well as Nixon Peabody.

2 The 90-minute question-and-answer discussion focused on the similarities, challenges and obstacles between these two groups. Laura represented Nixon Peabody’s employee resource group.

Nixon Peabody was a platinum-level sponsor of the conference, which was attended by several Nixon Peabody attorneys, representatives and guests.

The grades are in and Nixon Peabody tops the list

On October 10, Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession released a Diversity Report Card for the Washington DC area that placed Nixon Peabody on the honor role. The firm received a B+ from the group, which was the top grade awarded.

The Diversity Report Card is based on a study that looked at all forms of diversity, including gender, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, and ranked firms in relation to their peers. Nixon Peabody’s B+ was the highest score achieved. Howrey and WilmerHale, which earned Bs, closely followed Nixon Peabody. At the bottom of the list was Mayer Brown, Baker Botts, Kelley Drye and Gibson Dunn, which all received Fs.

The results are designed to help law students make more informed choices as they enter the legal profession. In addition to the report card, Law Students Building a Better Legal Profession looked at partnership diversity and pro bono participation in major markets throughout the country. The group consists of law students across the United States who are dedicated to helping law firms and lawyers maintain pride in the law, as both a business and a profession, according to the group’s Web site.

Nixon Peabody wins Top Five Spectrum Award

Nixon Peabody was recently honored in Albany as one of five top organizations supporting diversity. Andy Rose, office managing partner in Albany, accepted the award on behalf of the office. Dan Hurteau, a partner in Albany, Jena Rotheim, an Albany associate, and Robyn Churchill, the office administrator, also attended the event along with spouses and significant others.

“Personally, I am very proud to be a part of a firm that is so diverse in the workplace. In the past, there have been many business dinners and events that I attended without my partner because of a lack of diversity and acceptance,” Robyn said.

3 The Capital Region Human Resource Association’s (CRHRA) 2007 Top Five Spectrum Award: A Celebration of Workplace Diversity recognizes local businesses for promoting diversity in the workplace. In addition to Nixon Peabody, the other winners included the Capital District YMCA, Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, Hudson Valley Community College and Merrill Lynch.

“We salute these forward-thinking organizations for their achievements in promoting staff diversity at all levels, fostering inclusive policies throughout their organizations, and securing top management support in work-place diversity efforts,” according to an article in the CRHRA’s monthly newsletter.

A recognition reception and dinner was held Oct. 12 at The Desmond Hotel in Albany. The keynote speaker was Albany County District Attorney David Soares; the honorary guest speaker was Wes Holloway, vice president of diversity for Golub Corporation; and the master of cere- monies was Jim Kambrich, co-anchor of WNYT’s Newschannel 13 Live at 5, 6 and 11.

Affinity group retreat set for November 1 and 2

The Diversity Action Committee (DAC) is sponsoring an affinity group retreat, Nixon Peabody’s Diverse Lawyers’ Leadership Conference, in November. Approximately 70 lawyers expressed an interest in attending, according to Maggie Clemens, a member of the DAC.

Susan Manch, a partner at Shannon & Manch, is structuring the two-day leadership conference to maximize participation. “Our goal is to provide the opportunity to get everyone together to strengthen networking and share leadership strategies. The meeting also gives the various affinity groups the opportunity to, both together and within their groups, share knowledge and ideas for increasing participation and effectiveness,” she said.

The conference will focus on two overarching topics: • Exercising and Increasing Influence • Building a Foundation for Business Development

Smaller working discussion groups of approximately eight to 10 lawyers will focus on sub-issues within the two main topics. “The retreat is designed to get everybody actively involved in the discussions, to provide lots of good information and to generate a lot of new opportunities,” Manch said.

The sub-topics under each of the two main topics include:

Exercising and Increasing Influence • Maximizing your role in the practice group and on project teams • Developing a targeted career plan 4 • Exercising influence in community and professional activities • Building a positive reputation in the firm

Building a Foundation for Business Development • Deepening client relationships and enhancing client service • Developing a network of relationships • Building relationships with internal clients (partners/groups)

Nixon Peabody’s Diverse Lawyers’ Leadership Conference begins at 1 p.m. on November 1. The first day, in addition to the programs, includes a cocktail reception, dinner and after-dinner networking opportunities. On November 2, the day kicks off with breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m. The luncheon program features a keynote address by Kermitt Brooks, first deputy superintendent of insurance for New York State and a former Nixon Peabody attorney. He will be speaking about his experience as an associate, how his time here shaped his career and the importance of mentoring.

McKnight scholarship recipients update

Since the William McKnight Scholarship Fund was established in 1986, more than $90,000 in scholarships has been awarded to 21 area students. The fund awards an annual scholarship to a promising young African-American high school senior, from Monroe County, New York, or a neighboring county, who has been accepted to an accredited four-year college. Screeners look for a recipient with economic needs who exhibits the traits that were characteristic of Bill McKnight, for whom the fund was established.

John Witmeyer, a partner in the Rochester office who helps select the recipients and who was one of Bill’s close friends, periodically hears from some of the recipients. While their career paths are greatly varied, each has found a successful niche and is busy building a future.

So where are past recipients now?

Shameka Gainey was a McKnight Scholarship recipient 10 years ago and is currently an associate in the Washington DC office of Fulbright & Jaworski in their litigation group. She does mostly commercial litigation, but has lately been doing some white-collar work. Shameka graduated from Eastridge High School in Rochester, received a BA in history from the University of Miami and graduated from Cornell Law School in 2004.

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva was the 1988 McKnight Scholarship winner. She attended Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School and then Spelman College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in

5 economics. She later received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a doctorate degree from Georgia State University. Now Yolanda is the associate executive director of Project GRAD Atlanta, an organization that helps Atlanta public school students graduate from high school and college. She is also managing partner and principal consultant for Strategic Consulting Solutions in Decatur, Georgia. In 2005, she coauthored a historical book titled, Daring to Educate: The Legacy of the Early Spelman College Presidents (1881–1953).

Wanda Reynolds, the 1990 recipient, initially went to North Carolina A&T State University and then on to Rutgers for an MBA in marketing. She is currently working as a sixth grade teacher in Orange, New Jersey. She also owns an event planning and promotions company called MaRey.

John also keeps in touch with Tracy Thomas, the 2004 recipient who went to Joseph C. Wilson Magnet High School and on to Rochester Institute of Technology where she has been on the dean’s list. Tracy was a guest at the Nixon Peabody table at the Urban League Black Scholars dinner in 2005 and in 2006. She and her brother, William, were the keynote speakers at the Urban League of Rochester’s Annual Meeting last spring. John was honored at that meeting with the Urban League’s Outstanding Community Leader Award for 21 years of working with the Black Scholars program and the McKnight Scholarship.

Tarae Howell also keeps in periodic touch with the firm, through Maggie Clemens. He never received a McKnight scholarship. However, Bill McKnight’s legacy has still influenced him to pur- sue a legal career. Tarae was the 2006 winner of the McKnight Moot Court Competition; and he is currently attending the University of Connecticut School of Law. He will graduate in 2010.

“I wanted to let you know that my participation in the moot court competition really increased my confidence. I must admit that I was a little afraid to participate in the competition at first. However, I tried to channel the energy to allow myself to succeed and it worked. As a result of participating, any of the reservations that I had about applying to law school disappeared,” he wrote in an e-mail to Maggie.

Firm sponsors MCCA Dinner

Several members of the firm’s San Francisco office and their in-house counsel guests attended the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Western Region diversity dinner in San Francisco on October 11, 2007.

“It was a really good networking opportunity and program,” said Roz Mitchell, counsel in the San Francisco office and an active member of the group. Those attending the dinner from the San Francisco office included Steve Plevin, Beth Mitchell, Sonia Nayak, Laura Chapman, Charles

6 Lee, Nicole Reidy, and Roz. The Nixon Peabody table also included in-house counsel from eBay, Visa and Sun Microsystems, who were the firm’s invited guests.

Nixon Peabody was a Gold Patron sponsor for the event, which entitled the firm to several benefits, including a half-page advertisement in the dinner program and 10 attorney profiles posted on the MCCA Web site.

The dinner celebrated MCCA’s tenth anniversary with the presentation of “MCCA on Broadway,” a musical and theatrical production highlighting one decade of promoting diversity in the legal profession. The event provided an opportunity to honor the group’s leadership and to reflect on the achievements of the past decade. In addition to the main production, several other special pre- sentations were made and time was set aside for networking.

MCCA was founded in 1997 to advocate for the expanded hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them, according to MCCA’s Web site.

Nixon Peabody sponsors Spirit of Justice Award annual dinner

Nixon Peabody’s Diversity Action Committee (DAC) and the firm’s Boston office helped sponsor the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) Spirit of Justice Award annual dinner on September 28, 2007, at the Westin Boston Waterfront. For its sponsorship, the firm was acknowledged on the invitation.

Nixon Peabody also received a gracious thank you note from Marie Longo at GLAD. “We are very grateful to you and Nixon Peabody for helping make this year’s Spirit of Justice Award Dinner a tremendous success. Thanks to your generous support, we exceeded our goals and raised over $450,000 to support GLAD’s work!” she wrote.

The event was attended by several members of the firm’s GLBT affinity group, including Bill Kelly, Jennifer Collins, and Renée Jackson.

The annual dinner is GLAD’s signature event; it attracts more than 900 attendees from the Greater Boston area and across New England, according to GLAD.

The Spirit of Justice Award is given to individuals who are dedicated to a just society. This year’s award recipient was four-time Tony Award winning playwright Terrence McNally. He was honored

7 for his unyielding courage in presenting HIV/AIDS themes and LGBT lives on the stage, and in television and film, according to GLAD’s Web site.

GLAD is a nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1978, and is New England’s leading legal rights organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status and gender identity and expression. Providing litigation, advocacy, and educational work in all areas of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights and the rights of people living with HIV, GLAD has a full-time legal staff and a network of cooperating attorneys across New England, according to the organization’s Web site.

Pride in Our Work event provides networking opportunities

Several members of the firm attended the GLBT Business Networking event on October 9, which was sponsored by Bank of America. Nixon Peabody is a participating company in this series of events. In October, the meeting was held at the Boston College Club in the Bank of America building.

More than 200 attended the event, which provided an opportunity for everyone to network with other professionals in the Boston legal and financial industries.

The featured speaker was David Pallone, author of the best-selling autobiography titled “Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball.” The book is a look at David Pallone’s 18 years as a professional umpire and his view of baseball through the eyes of a gay man. Since his book was published in 1990, David has dedicated his life to educating and enlightening audiences about the realities surrounding sexual orientation, according to his biographical information.

Women of Color in New York City

Liz Moore, a partner in the New York City office, and Roz Mitchell, counsel in the San Francisco office, attended the Corporate Counsel Women of Color Third Annual Career Strategies Conference from October 3 to October 5 at the Hilton New York.

The sold-out event was exceptional and provided many networking opportunities, according to Roz. Nixon Peabody was a sponsor and received recognition at the event for its sponsorship. The firm is also listed on the organization’s Web site as a Silver sponsor.

The conference featured Paula E. Boggs as the keynote speaker and honoree. She is currently executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Starbucks Coffee Company. Ms. Boggs, who has ded-

8 icated her time to diversity initiatives, received the CCWC™ Diamond Award of Excellence at the conference. Other conference highlights included Valorie Burton, a motiva- tional speaker and life coach; a number of insightful and strategic workshops; and entertainment and post-conference activities.

Corporate Counsel Women of Color is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2004 for women attorneys of color who serve as general counsel, assistant general counsel, corporate counsel, in-house legal counsel, and in Barbara Lukeman; Robert Christmas; Maggie Clemens; John Chermack, other capacities for Fortune 1000 companies, Forbes standing, from Hospice of New York, a firm client; Maritza Bolano, formerly an attorney with the New York City Council and the New York 2000 companies, not-for-profit corporations, and other State Assembly now in private practice; and Anne-Marie Dassler, in entities in the United States of America and abroad, neonatology at Beth Israel Medical Center according to the group’s Web site. The group has more than 1,900 members.

Laurie Robinson, who is the assistant general counsel in the labor and employment division at CBS Broadcasting Inc., founded the organization and serves as its chief executive officer. She has received considerable recognition for her dedication to promoting diversity.

Nixon Peabody contributes to 12th annual SAGE dinner

The 12th annual SAGE Awards dinner on October 3, 2007 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea was a sellout success, and Nixon Peabody again lent its support.

The gala, which benefits gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) seniors, has grown sub- stantially, with 550 people attending this year, according to published reports. Nixon Peabody has a long-standing relationship with the group. “Nixon Peabody or its legacy firms has been involved with SAGE since its foundation,” said Robert Christmas, a partner in the New York City office who attended the dinner, along with Maggie Clemens (ROC), Barbara Lukeman (LI) and several firm guests.

At the annual dinner, SAGE takes the opportunity to honor individuals who have made important contributions to the lives of GLBT seniors or have championed change that has enriched the broad- er gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

9 This year the honorees included: • Lieutenant Governor David Paterson, a long-time SAGE supporter • Judy Shepard, mother of the late Matthew Shepard and executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation • Robby Browne, a long-time friend of SAGE and a successful real estate entrepreneur and phi- lanthropist • Joyce Warshow, remembered as a distinguished filmmaker, leading psychologist and promi- nent activist. Joyce died Oct. 2, 2007, the day before the SAGE dinner. Dorothy Sander, Judy’s partner of 25 years, accepted her award.

SAGE, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders, was incorporated in 1978 as Senior Action in a Gay Environment by a group of seniors, social workers, gerontologists, and activists in the lesbian and gay community. It is the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender senior citizens, according to its Web site.

Diversity remains a top focus in recruiting efforts

Nixon Peabody’s Professional Personnel Department recruiting team continues to make strides to ensure that the firm has an advantage in meeting and interviewing

We can tell you Nixon Peabody the best and brightest talent across a diverse range of but we thought you’d prefer is a great place to work... a more objective opinion. potential job candidates. “We are focusing our attention on active, targeted outreach in the spring, prior to campus interviewing, so that our attorneys can meet students face-to-face,” says Chris White, director of Professional Personnel.

For the second year in a row, we have been able to tout the firm’s recognition on FORTUNE mag- azine’s 100 Best Companies to Work for® list. In addition to face-to-face spring outreach efforts, the firm also reached out in other ways to minority, GLBT and other diversity student organizations. Liz Moore and Kendal Tyre, cochairs of the firm’s diversity action committee (DAC), and other affinity group members wrote letters to student organizations at target law schools. The letters introduced students to the firm, provided pertinent details about Nixon Peabody and invited students to contact us for additional information. “This communication informs students of the many recognitions Nixon Peabody has received, such as our 100 percent rating from the Human Rights Campaign, Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality and our Mid-Atlantic MCCA’s Thomas

10 L. Sager Award. It also encourages them to consider interviewing with Nixon Peabody,” said Karen Marr, national attorney recruitment manager.

Chris and Karen also secured the firm’s participation in a number of diversity job fairs again this year. The job fairs included: • Bay Area Diversity Career Fair (San Francisco), August 4 • LGBT Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Career Fair, August 18 • Lavender® Law Career Fair (Chicago), September 6 • Boston Lawyers Group Job Fair, September 7 • BLSA (Black Law Students Association) Mid-Atlantic Fair (Washington, DC), September 8 • Hispanic National Bar Conference & Job Fair (Puerto Rico), October 6

Robert Christmas was one of the attorneys who attended Lavender Law 2007 in Chicago. Nixon Peabody is a preferred recruiter for the Lavender Law career fair. “The event was well attended. We met with students who had call back interviews scheduled and also with potential prospects,” Robert said.

To help prepare attorney interviewers, Chris revamped her interviewer-training program this year to include how to interview for core competencies. The purpose is to improve interviewing skills, such as developing questions that focus on the firm’s success factors, looking for candidates with unique perspectives who would add extra dimensions to the firm’s practice, and presenting interview techniques that effectively “recruit” law students.

“For the second year in a row, our campus interviews resulted in an increase in our minority pres- ence in our 2007 summer program,” Karen says.

Nixon Peabody is a Marin Services for Women dinner sponsor

In support of Marin Services for Women (MSW), Nixon Peabody contributed to the purchase of a table at the group’s Annual Benefit Dinner on September 14, 2007. At the dinner, MSW honored best- selling author and activist, Anne Lamott, and Chief of Staff to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Susan Kennedy. The firm’s Diversity Action Committee, Pro Bono Committee and the San Francisco office all contributed to the purchase of a table for eight at

Faith Bruins, Talley McIntyre, Lauren Cappelloni, Laura Carter, Marjorie Fochtman and Karolyn Plummer, all from Nixon Peabody attended the dinner 11 the dinner. Talley McIntyre (SF) has been a member of MSW’s board of directors since 2006 and the agency has been a long-time pro bono client for Nixon Peabody and Marjorie Fochtman (SF).

Several Nixon Peabody attorneys from the San Francisco office attended the dinner, including Talley, an associate in Technology and Intellectual Property; Marjorie, a partner in Labor & Employment; Laura Carter, an associate in Technology & Intellectual Property; Sarah Wells, an associate in Business Litigation; Karolyn Plummer, an associate in the Private Clients group; Lauren Cappelloni, an associate in Litigation and Dispute Resolution; and Faith Bruins, a partner in the Syndication group.

For its contribution, Nixon Peabody was recognized as a sponsor in the event’s promotional mate- rial. Additionally, the contribution demonstrated the firm’s commitment to pro bono work and diversity at the community level, according to Talley, who coordinated the contribution for the firm.

“Through the work of Talley and Marjorie and our participation in events like this dinner, Nixon Peabody is increasingly becoming recognized in Northern California as a firm that participates in inno- vative, action-oriented, community-based programs,” said Kate Fitzgerald, director of marketing.

Marin Services for Women is a licensed chemical dependency care provider offering a full contin- uum of recovery programs for women who seek to overcome chemical dependency and substance abuse. MSW provides residential inpatient and outpatient care for women and is the leading service provider for pregnant and parenting women. The organization, which was founded in 1978, recently moved into a new facility in San Rafael, where they have doubled the number of women they can assist at one time.

Providence office named Best Place to Work

Congratulations to the Providence office on being selected as a Best Places to Work in Rhode Island. Steve Zubiago, office managing partner, accepted the honor on Thursday, August 30, during a dinner reception at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. In the small company category comprising businesses with 15 to 50 employees, Nixon Peabody came in fifth place as a Best Place to Work. Several Nixon Peabody clients were also selected for the Best Places to Work in Rhode Island honor, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Amgen.

12 Nixon Peabody attends inner-city scholarship fund lunch

On October 4, several Nixon Peabody attorneys and some clients joined other professionals from around the New York City area for a gala luncheon for the Inner-City Scholarship Fund’s Lawyers’ Committee. The organization provides inner-city students with funds to attend Catholic schools. Of the recipients, 93 percent are minorities and approximately half live at or below the poverty level. Additionally, 36 percent are non-Catholic. All of the children receiving assistance are “at risk.” However, because of this educational opportunity, they perform at levels higher than the national average and 97 percent go to college on full scholarships.

Jerry Coleman, a partner in the New York City office, is a member of the group’s steering committee and the firm has been a sponsor for the past 12 years.

This year’s luncheon, held at Cipriani 42nd Street, honored Patricia Hynes and Roy Reardon. Both were presented with the Saint Thomas More Award, which has been given annually since 1990.

Susan Robfogel named first woman chair for George Eastman House

Congratulations to Susan Robfogel, a partner in Nixon Peabody’s New York City and Rochester offices, on her election as chair of the George Eastman House Board of Trustees. Always a trailblazer, Susan is the first woman to lead the board in its 60-year history.

Susan has been a board member since 1993 and has served as vice chair of the board and as chair of its Government Affairs Committee. She will oversee a 50-member, all-volunteer board, which includes trustees located in various parts of the country, many of whom are national leaders in photography and motion pictures. Susan Robfogel

George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film “…is an educational institution that tells the story of photography and motion pictures—media that have changed and continue to change our perception of the world,” according to the organization’s Web site. Nixon Peabody lawyers were instrumental in the founding of the museum in 1947.

Susan’s accomplishment was noted online in the Rochester Business Journal and in the Democrat & Chronicle, as well as on the museum’s Web site.

13 Laurie Miller recognized for her work

The National Law Journal has chosen Laura Ariane Miller (DC) as one of the 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America. Laurie Miller was recognized for her legal counsel and experience as a lawyer and for her other professional, bar and philanthropic activities.

Laurie was honored on September 10, 2007, when The National Law Journal celebrated the 50 Most Influential Women Lawyers in America at an awards dinner at the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller in Manhattan, New York. In attendance at the dinner from Nixon Peabody were Harry Trueheart (NYC), Sam Goldblatt (BOS) and Laurie Miller.

Three Nixon Peabody women named Upstate New York Super Lawyers

Congratulations to all the lawyers who were named 2007 Upstate New York Super Lawyers. The list included Carolyn Nussbaum, who was also listed as a Top 10 Attorney, Maggie Clemens and Susan Robfogel, who were all listed in the Top 25 Women category. Nixon Peabody is the only firm that has three female lawyers in that category.

Carolyn Nussbaum, Maggie Clemens, and Susan Robfogel The complete list of Nixon Peabody 2007 Upstate New York Super Lawyers includes Bruce Baker, John Bouman, Rob Calihan, Maggie Clemens, Dave Cook, Scott Cristman, Henry DePippo, Jack Fitzgerald, Mike Goldman, Tom Greiner, Mike Hausknecht, John Hood, Jim Locke, Jean McCreary, John McQueen, Carolyn Nussbaum, Mike Roman, Susan Robfogel, Rich Richford, Dave Schraver, Jon Schumacher, Bill Thomas, Mike Tomaino, Gene Ulterino, Stan Widger, John Witmeyer.

Congratulations to Grace Wu

Grace Wu, an associate in the Washington DC office, was appointed to the board of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of the greater DC area (APABA-DC). Grace is cochair of the association’s Women’s Forum.

Nixon Peabody sponsored a table at the installation dinner, where Grace was sworn in. The dinner Grace Wu was held on Wednesday, September 26, at the National Press Club in Washington DC. The 14 Honorable Ricardo M. Urbina, United States District Court for the District of Columbia, was the keynote speaker for the event. Stacie Boeniger Collier named to Providence Business News’ 40 under Forty

Congratulations to Stacie Boeniger Collier on being named by the Providence Business News to its annual 40 Under Forty list. Stacie, a Labor and Employment partner in the firm’s Providence office, was selected from an elite group of 120 nominees.

Providence Business News is a weekly publication covering business in Rhode Island, Southeast Massachusetts and nearby Connecticut. Its annual “40 Under Forty” feature is a listing of the area’s top professionals under the age of 40 in each of their respective fields. Congratulations, Stacie!

Stacie Boeniger Collier Anita Pelletier selected for Up and Coming Award

The Daily Record selected Anita Pelletier, an associate in the Rochester office and the winner of the Rodman Peabody pro bono award for the past two years, for the Up & Coming Attorney Award for 2007.

Anita was one of nine award recipients, four from Rochester, honored at a reception on July 31 at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia, New York, about 35 minutes from Rochester and Buffalo.

Anita Pelletier Anjali Chaturvedi speaks at South Asian Bar dinner

Anjali Chaturvedi (DC) spoke at the South Asian Bar Association’s August Dinner Series. The monthly dinner series provides networking opportunities and dynamic conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. The August dinner, held at the White Tiger Restaurant on August 23, featured a guided exploration of the South Asian culture’s effects in the workplace and on employees. Founded in 2001, the South Asian Bar Association of Washington DC (SABA-DC) is a voluntary bar association dedicated to the needs, concerns, and interests of the South Asian American legal community.

Anjali is the new cochair of the Asian affinity group at Nixon Peabody, along with Grace Wu. Anjali Chaturvedi

15 Andrea Cohen joins BayBio Institute board

Andrea Cohen (SF) has been elected to the board of directors of the BayBio Institute. The BayBio Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization operating continuously in Northern California since 1990. It serves the life science community in the region primarily through activities in best practice dialogues, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and science education. It is affiliated with BayBio, Northern California’s leading life sciences trade association.

Cathy Fleming quoted in new book

In a new book entitled Her Turn: Why It’s Time for Women to Lead in America written by Vicki Dolan, publisher of Women’s Business: Boston, and Helen French Graves, Cathy Fleming (NYC) is quoted extensively and identified as a Nixon Peabody partner. The book is more insightful because of Cathy’s contributions, particularly her insight on a diversity component in firm com- pensation schemes, according to Harold Ruvoldt, a partner in the New York City office. Cathy Fleming

Laurie Miller’s new role garners national attention

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) highlighted Laurie Miller’s (DC) new role as the Managing Director of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation in its August 28, 2007 edition. Featured under “Who’s News,” the WSJ noted that Laurie is succeeding two esteemed colleagues, who acted Laurie Miller as co-managing directors. Way to go Laurie!

Anita Pelletier’s article appears in Business Strategy

An article on diversity and education by Anita Pelletier appeared in the September edition of Business Strategy.

Anita Pelletier The article reviews the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decisions, which acknowledged that diversity in higher education was a legitimate goal if pursued appropriately, and the subsequent 2007 decision regarding voluntary school diversification efforts. Anita called the 2007 decision “not a clear victory for any side of the issue.” The key for diversity initiatives in educational institutions is a careful structure that meets the standards of the 2003 and 2007 decisions, she concluded. 16 Joe Ortego and Tracey Ehlers write diversity article for National Law Journal

The National Law Journal’s special section on diversity, which was published in October, included a bylined article from Joe Ortego, a partner in the New York office, and Tracey Ehlers, an associate in the Buffalo office.

The article discussed the diversity programs at several companies, which are Nixon Peabody clients, and provided details about how these programs have helped instigate changes within the companies.

The National Law Journal’s special section focused on trends and perspectives relating to diversity and law firms.

Kendal Tyre speaks at Congressional Black Caucus

Kendal Tyre, a partner in the Washington DC office, was a presenter at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 37th Annual Legislative Conference held from September 26 to September 29, 2007, in Washington DC. Kendal Tyre This year’s theme was “Unleashing Our Power,” and the program included over 70 seminars, workshops and information forums.