(New York—June 26, 2012) — For the second year in a row, the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) has named Reed Smith LLP for its select “Gold Standard Certification.”

We are pleased to again be recognized as a leader in promoting and empowering women in the legal profession,” says Reed Smith Global Managing Partner Gregory B. Jordan. “We are also grateful to WILEF for creating these standards, and for encouraging law firms to adhere to them, and to strive to do better—it's a tremendous benefit to our firm internally and to our clients.”

WILEF Certification emphasizes the leadership roles achieved by equity women partners, rather than the policies or practices of the firm or the overall number or percentage of women in the partnership. To receive WILEF’s Gold Standard Certification, firms had to meet at least three of six criteria, demonstrating their commitment to women’s career advancement. In 2012, a record 50 firms qualified, although Reed Smith was one of only three firms to meet all six of the following criteria:

• Women account for at least 20% of equity partners.
• Women represent at least 10% of firm chairs and office managing partners.
• Women make up at least 20% of the firm’s primary governance committee.
• Women represent 20% or more of the firm’s compensation committee.
• Women make up at least 25% of practice group leaders or department heads.
• Women represent at least 10% of the top half of the most highly compensated partners.

Reed Smith’s more than 600 female lawyers now account for approximately 21 percent of the total partnership, 41 percent of all counsel, and 54 percent of all associates. Women now also account for 23.5 percent of all leadership positions at Reed Smith, and 27 percent of the firm’s Compensation and Promotion Committee.

The firm's Women’s Initiative Network of Reed Smith (WINRS) is a global community of more than 600 lawyers in 23 offices dedicated to a workplace that attracts, engages, develops, supports and rewards Reed Smith’s women lawyers.

“As a longtime supporter and partner with WILEF, we are honored to be recognized with Gold Certification,” says Chicago-based partner Kit Chaskin, who leads WINRS. “At Reed Smith, we create concrete and quantifiable opportunities for our women lawyers that help position them for advancement, leadership and success, by cultivating relationships, building business skills, and removing roadblocks to success.”

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global relationship law firm with nearly 1,700 lawyers in 23 offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses, from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its lawyers provide litigation and other dispute resolution services in multi-jurisdictional and other high-stakes matters; deliver regulatory counsel; and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising, technology and media, shipping, energy and natural resources, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com.

U.S.: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Princeton, Northern Virginia, Wilmington, Silicon Valley, Century City, Richmond

Europe: London, Paris, Munich, Greece

Middle East: Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Asia: Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai