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When Diversity Works

By Robyn Crowther
July 23, 2004

Of the top litigation firms in the country that boast a blue-chip roster of Fortune 100 clients, how many are composed of more than 50% women lawyers, 25% gay or lesbian lawyers, and a Native American shareholder? I only know of one: Caldwell, Leslie, Newcombe and Pettit (CLNP) in Los Angeles.

There are six associates at CLNP (including one completing a clerkship and scheduled to join the firm in the fall). Five are women. Three are women of color. More than 50% of the firm's ownership is held by female or minority shareholders. Two of the women attorneys came to the firm later in life after other careers. All but one of the firm's shareholders have children ranging in age from nine months to 23 years. Many of those children, as a result of cross-cultural adoption or their parents' ethnicities, are racial minorities. The managing shareholder is a lesbian. By any standard applied to American businesses, and especially law firms, the representation of minorities and women at CLNP is remarkable. It is, however, no accident.

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