August 29, 2017 – Law360 named Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) one of the best firms for both women and minority attorneys. The ranking distinguishes firms that consistently demonstrate above-average hiring and promoting of both women and minorities. BAL is one of the eight firms with 20-149 lawyers recognized by Law360, highlighting BAL’s consistent rankings on Law360’s annual Diversity Snapshot and Glass Ceiling Report.

In 2017, Law360 ranked BAL third in its peer group for the Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys in the 2017 Glass Ceiling Report and second in its peer group for the Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys in the 2017 Diversity Snapshot. When looking at firm leadership, specifically, Law360 recognized BAL as a 2017 Ceiling Smasher with 43.9 percent of BAL’s equity partners identifying as female. Minority equity partners make up 28.6 percent of BAL’s leadership and BAL ranks sixth for the Best Law Firms for Minority Partners on Law360.

As Law360 reports, few firms maintain above-average diversity at all levels when looking at race, ethnicity and gender, often excelling in one aspect of diversity while lagging on another. BAL consistently ranks high for diversity representation at all levels – from associates to equity partners.

“We are proud to be recognized for our racial, ethnic and gender diversity in the workplace,” said Carla Tarazi, one of the firm’s equity partners. “BAL believes that encouraging those from different backgrounds and perspectives to succeed creates a stronger and more effective firm and, ultimately, it encourages everyone in our firm to succeed as individuals and as part of a team.”

Law 360 surveyed more than 300 U.S. firms, or vereins with a U.S. component, about their overall and minority headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2016. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey, and firms must have at least 20 U.S.-based attorneys to participate.