Alston & Bird has been named by Novartis AG to its newly adopted “preferred firm program for legal services” based on the firm’s pledge to meet specific diverse staffing requirements for each engagement it undertakes for the Swiss pharmaceutical multinational and long-time firm client.
As part of the program, Alston & Bird has agreed to commit at least 30 percent of billable associate time and 20 percent of partner time by females, racially/ethnically diverse professionals, or members of the LGBTQ community.
In a press release announcing the new panel, Novartis Group General Counsel Shannon Thyme Klinger said: “Building on our company’s public pledge to achieve pay equity and transparency by 2023, and supporting the UN’s Human Rights global LGBTI business standards, the third iteration of our Preferred Firm Program prioritized in its selection process firms with a demonstrably strong commitment to D&I and who were willing to stand by this commitment from a financial perspective as to all Novartis matters.”
Alston & Bird is a recognized leader in diversity and inclusion and has won numerous accolades for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, including selection to Fortune’s 2019 “100 Best Workplaces for Diversity” and 2019 “Best Workplaces for Women.” Additionally, the firm has earned the distinction as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality, having achieved a top score of 100 percent in the 2020 Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the 16th consecutive year the firm has scored a perfect rating.
As part of the program, Alston & Bird has agreed to commit at least 30 percent of billable associate time and 20 percent of partner time by females, racially/ethnically diverse professionals, or members of the LGBTQ community.
In a press release announcing the new panel, Novartis Group General Counsel Shannon Thyme Klinger said: “Building on our company’s public pledge to achieve pay equity and transparency by 2023, and supporting the UN’s Human Rights global LGBTI business standards, the third iteration of our Preferred Firm Program prioritized in its selection process firms with a demonstrably strong commitment to D&I and who were willing to stand by this commitment from a financial perspective as to all Novartis matters.”
Alston & Bird is a recognized leader in diversity and inclusion and has won numerous accolades for creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, including selection to Fortune’s 2019 “100 Best Workplaces for Diversity” and 2019 “Best Workplaces for Women.” Additionally, the firm has earned the distinction as one of the best places to work for LGBTQ equality, having achieved a top score of 100 percent in the 2020 Corporate Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the 16th consecutive year the firm has scored a perfect rating.