Fenwick's Kate Fritz Named Among the Top 50 Women Lawyers by the Diversity Council
Fenwick managing partner Kate Fritz was recognized by the National Diversity Council as one of their Top 50 Women Lawyers for 2017.
“The 2017 Top 50 Women Lawyers award list highlights the most extraordinary female leaders in the legal field,” said Dennis Kennedy, founder and chairman of the NDC. “These women are the most prominent leaders, and they have reached the top of their profession by being effective leaders in their organization. They drive change, innovate, and inspire others to succeed while contributing to business growth.”
As Fenwick’s managing partner, Fritz has devoted significant efforts to advancing women and driving the firm’s continued dedication to pro bono work and community impact.
Under her leadership, Fenwick partnered with Diversity Lab to pilot the Mansfield Rule. Under this regulation, 30% of candidates for leadership and governance positions must be women and minorities. Fenwick continues its commitment to work/life balance and providing opportunities, rather than barriers, for women to succeed. The firm offers a flexible, reduced-hour schedule available to all from associates to partners, along with other benefits such as backup childcare.
Fenwick also sponsors and partners with several other outside organizations to provide career development opportunities and support for Fenwick women lawyers and women in the community. For example, under Fritz’s leadership, the firm participates in the OnRamp Fellowship, a leading-edge program that provides women lawyers re-entering the legal profession with an opportunity to update their skills and legal contacts through one-year, paid positions with top law firms.
The firm also regularly sponsors women lawyers—and men—passionate about public service careers through Equal Justice Works Fellowships. Partnering with firm or corporate sponsors, the nonprofit awards these fellowships to highly competent lawyers who have designed creative legal initiatives to address issues in at-risk communities. Two of Fenwick’s most recent fellows tackled issues directly impacting the well-being and success of women, serving victims of domestic violence and pregnant and parenting students.
Fenwick has also launched a new corporate social responsibility program dedicated to greater community impact.
In addition to her invaluable diversity and pro bono work, Fritz is a top intellectual property litigator and has provided strategic guidance to leading technology, media, and internet companies for over 23 years.
The National Diversity Council is a nonprofit organization that supports a nationwide network of councils to advance diversity and inclusion in the work place and community. Each year, the NDC honors 50 women who go above and beyond to uphold the values of this organization, serve as an effective role model for other women and demonstrate a commitment to corporate citizenship.
For more information about the awards, please visit the National Diversity Council website.