The annual Women in Law Awards recognize women attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional professional achievements and success, leadership capabilities, and dedication to mentoring and advancing other women in the legal profession.

As managing partner of Reed Smith’s Chicago office, DePriest handles the strategic operations of the firm’s third-largest office and its 200-plus personnel, including more than 100 attorneys.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, DePriest manages an active litigation practice, representing clients in high-stakes intellectual property disputes, including trade secret misappropriation; patent, trademark, and copyright infringement matters; and unfair competition. She has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict and is widely regarded for her litigation strategy and implementation.

A dedicated mentor, DePriest has provided career guidance to countless women at Reed Smith and in the legal profession. She is an active member of the firm’s Women’s Initiative Network and in 2021, was selected for the Theresa L. Davis Mentorship Award, which recognizes a Chicago partner for mentorship activities, commitment to the advancement of women and diverse attorneys, and encouraging others to participate in pro bono legal service. She also co-leads the firm’s Trial Training Program for senior associates.

Throughout her career, DePriest has dedicated hundreds of hours of pro bono legal service to underserved Chicago residents. She has assisted numerous immigrants in obtaining asylum in conjunction with the National Immigrant Justice Center. For many years, DePriest has served on the firm’s global Pro Bono Committee and as co-chair of the Chicago office’s Pro Bono Committee. She also serves on the board of the Chicago Bar Foundation.

As managing partner in Chicago, she leads the office’s participation in community service initiatives that have a direct positive impact on area residents. As an example, the office has partnered on a number of occasions with the My Block, My Hood, My City initiative, which works to beautify underserved neighborhoods.