Responsible Business

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

DEI is woven into everything we do, from recruiting talent, fostering a culture that values collaboration and different perspectives, and partnering with clients on our mutual commitment to DEI.

A Firm Commitment

Diversity, equity and inclusion is in our DNA and we have a long-standing commitment to DEI. We believe that the various perspectives and experiences of our lawyers and professionals enable us to identify creative solutions for our clients and enrich all aspects of our firm and communities.

Our focus on building a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is present at every level. Across our offices worldwide, firm leaders build inclusive teams, practice groups partner with clients to foster meaningful relationships and lawyers collaborate with organizations that advance DEI in the legal profession.

Akin is proud to have received various recognitions for our DEI efforts. These recognitions are based on our commitment to DEI and demonstrated results from our actions related recruiting terrific talent, focusing on development and advancement and ensuring leadership commitment and engagement in our efforts.

Our global DEI strategy provides the vision to guide our efforts and enables everyone in the firm the opportunity to contribute. From unconscious bias and inclusive leadership training to DEI councils, firmwide resource groups, our signature health and wellness program and a range of industry-leading benefits and services, we strive for a culture where our lawyers and business services professionals can see themselves working far into the future.

“Everything drives from leadership commitment. At Akin, our greatest strength is our leadership commitment to DEI which starts with our Chairperson Kim Koopersmith. She is able to drive that commitment throughout our firm management committee, practice group leaders and the firm community overall.”

Nimesh Patel
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

From the Top

As one of the few women leading an AmLaw 50 law firm, Akin chairperson Kim Koopersmith brings a deep commitment that empowers everyone at the firm to work together in moving the needle on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Our chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer (CDEIO) reports directly to the chairperson and is responsible for leading our strategy and executing key initiatives. As CDEIO, Nimesh Patel brings an extraordinary track record of public and private sector leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion at the C-suite level.

Our firmwide DEI Council is led by our chair Kim Koopersmith and CDEIO Nimesh Patel and includes senior leaders from across the firm, as well as partners in charge of firmwide and local DEI initiatives. The council sets the tone from the top, setting priorities, providing oversight and driving accountability to ensure Akin is a model for DEI.

Highly Ranked for DEI Efforts

Mansfield Rule Certified Plus firm, four years in a row, which means that we achieved at least 30 percent representation of women, lawyers of color and LGBTQ+ lawyers in candidate pools and key firm leadership roles and committees.
2022-23 Seramount Best Law Firms for Women and 2021 Working Mother 50 Best Law Firms for Women, which recognizes the law firms that are most successful in their efforts and results in retaining and promoting women lawyers.
2023 top firm for culture, 2020 top firm for working mothers and family planning and 2019 Top Ten Family-Friendly Law Firms by Yale Law Women.
2023 and 2020 national finalist for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s (MCCA) Thomas L. Sager Award. The award recognizes law firms “that champion a more diverse and inclusive workforce and have demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of diverse attorneys.” Akin last won the national Sager Award in 2017 and won the regional award four times.
2023 we received the U.K. Gold Standard Certification from the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF). In 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2018, we were awarded WILEF’s U.S. Gold Standard Certification, marking four years of receiving the recognition.
2023 marked 16 years with a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index benchmark for LGBTQ+ employee policies and practices.
2021 firmwide DEI Council selected as one of Diversity Journal’s Diversity Team Award Winners. This award recognizes those who work together to support and advance diversity, equity and inclusion within their organizations.
2020 Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Flex Impact Award for policies or initiatives poised to have a significant impact on the culture of flexibility in an industry.
2019 Morgan Stanley Leadership and Excellence in Inclusion and Diversity (LEID) award, presented to law firms that have shown progress and innovation in advancing diversity and inclusion in their organizations.
2019 National Asian Pacific Bar Association Law Firm Diversity Award.

Kim Koopersmith accepts the Thomas Sager Award, presented to AmLaw 200 law firms that champion a more diverse and inclusive workforce and have demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of diverse attorneys.