Why NAMWOLF?

NAMWOLF’s approach to increasing diversity in the legal profession is unique. Many corporations and other entities, interested in achieving diversity in their outside law firms, have focused almost exclusively on the utilization of minority and female attorneys at majority firms. Yet, the available data strongly suggests that these efforts have not resulted in diversity in the legal profession. It is NAMWOLF’s view that the most effective way for corporations to increase diversity in the legal profession is to increase their retention of minority and women-owned law firms.

Minority and women-owned law firms hire and promote minority and women lawyers at much higher rates than majority owned law firms. Hence, greater support of those firms will necessarily lead to greater opportunities in the legal profession for minority and women lawyers.

How does NAMWOLF work?

NAMWOLF initiates contact with major corporations and public entities on behalf of its members and encourages these corporations and public entities to form business relationships with minority and women-owned law firms.

The National Association of Minority & Women Owned Law Firms has developed The Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program (CPEPP) to encourage corporations to increase their utilization of certified minority and women-owned law firms. CPEPP requires interested corporations and other entities to agree to set an aspirational goal of spending a minimum of 5% of their outside counsel budget with certified minority and women-owned law firms. There is no cost for corporations and other entities to join the program. Additionally, while the participating corporations and other entities do not necessarily have to use NAMWOLF law firm members to be part of the program, however, they must use firms that are certified by a credible and recognizable entity.

What are the benefits of joining?

• RESOURCES: Partners will have access to the NAMWOLF Law Firms Membership Directory. With access to this directory, corporations will have the ability to select minority and women-owned law firms by area of practice, geographic location and law firm name.  Additionally, NAMWOLF provides Partners the opportunity to share best practices at our events.
• NETWORKING: NAMWOLF brings together corporate counsel and M/WBE law firms at our events, and our experts often speak and participate in a range of industry conferences.
• RECOGNITION: If your corporation decides to become a member of the NAMWOLF Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program, NAMWOLF will issue a press release stating that your corporation has committed to set a goal of eventually expending a minimum of 5% of your outside counsel budget with certified minority and women-owned law firms.
• BRANDING: Upon joining the NAMWOLF Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program, each corporation will have their name and logo listed on the NAMWOLF web site, under the Corporate and Public Entities Partners Section. Additionally, each corporation and public entity will have an option to provide a link from the NAMWOLF web site to the Corporate and Public Entities Partners’ web site.

For more information about the Corporate and Public Entities Partnering Program, please contact:

Yolanda Coly
Senior Director of Advocacy & Development
ycoly@namwolf.org
414.277.1139 x 2137

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