Hispanic National Bar Association Selects Seyfarth Shaw as 2006 "Law Firm of the Year"

Chicago, IL (September 20, 2006) - - Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America’s leading full service law firms, has been recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) as “Law Firm of the Year” for 2006.  The award, presented at the organization’s recent  31st Annual Convention in San Francisco, honors Seyfarth Shaw for the firm’s leadership role in supporting diversity efforts in the workplace and its firm-wide commitment to attorney participation in regional and national bar associations and other organizations that promote diversity in the legal profession and in the community.

The award, presented by Edgardo Ramos, HNBA Finance Chair, and accepted by Nick C. Geannacopulos, managing partner of Seyfarth Shaw’s San Francisco office, distinguishes Seyfarth Shaw for its support of the Hispanic business community and the diversity initiatives the firm has established that reflect the tenets of the HNBA and other minority-sponsored organizations.  A non-profit association, the HNBA represents over 33,000 Hispanic American attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, legal administrators, and legal assistants/paralegals in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The HNBA works with other legal associations, governmental agencies and community groups to achieve greater involvement in and understanding of the American legal system in Hispanic communities around the country.

“We are honored that the Hispanic National Bar Association chose to recognize Seyfarth Shaw’s long-term and ongoing support of diversity initiatives,” said J. Stephen Poor, the firm’s Chair and Managing Partner.  “Our firm appreciates the creative contributions of an inclusive workforce and believes that achieving and valuing diversity is fundamental to the continued success of our profession, as well as our personal satisfaction as attorneys.  The diversity of our experiences, backgrounds and perspectives strengthens the quality of our work for our clients.  We are grateful and thank the Association for their exceptional direction and leadership.”

Seyfarth Shaw’s diversity initiatives include a national Diversity Action Team, which researches and formulates policies and practices aimed at facilitating diversity and further strengthening the firm’s recognition as a role model throughout the legal profession and various communities. The firm’s Lawyer Development Committee identifies training opportunities and addresses unique challenges confronting female and minority attorneys to attract, recruit, retain and advance diverse attorneys throughout its offices.

“It is a great pleasure to acknowledge Seyfarth Shaw as an effective ambassador for diversity in the workplace,” said Nelson A. Castillo, National President of the HNBA. “Our tribute to the firm is a testament to its admirable leadership and involvement in diversity activities.  Their efforts are consistent and noteworthy.”

Seyfarth Shaw encourages active participation by attorneys in various legal, cultural and minority associations, both regionally and nationally.  Included among the numerous organizations in which attorneys from the firm have taken leadership roles are the American Bar Association’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association.  In addition, Salomon Chiquiar-Rabinovich (based in the firm’s Boston office), is Deputy President of the HNBA (New England) and President of the New England-Latin America Business Council.

Seyfarth Shaw has over 650 attorneys located in nine offices throughout the United States including Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento as well as Brussels, Belgium.  Seyfarth Shaw provides a broad range of legal services in the areas of labor and employment, employee benefits, litigation and business services.  The firm’s practice reflects virtually every industry and segment of the country’s business community.  Clients include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, newspapers and other media, hotels, health care organizations, airlines and railroads. The firm also represents a number of federal, state, and local governmental and educational entities.  For more information, please visit www.seyfarth.com.