ChIPs Honor Roll is a joint initiative between ChIPs and Diversity Lab.
Selections are based on findings from Diversity Lab’s Inclusion Blueprint, which provides diversity benchmarks of historically underrepresented groups (female lawyers, underrepresented racial/ethnic lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities) in law firm leadership and across practice groups, including IP. The Inclusion Blueprint also includes inclusion efforts for law firms to adopt to ensure their lawyers have fair and equal access to compensation, leadership roles, and other critical career-enhancing opportunities. The Inclusion Blueprint is conducted annually and is open to large law firms by invitation.
The Inclusion Blueprint is different from traditional diversity surveys, as it goes beyond just measuring headcount. In addition to assessing the overall representation of diverse groups in leadership and at the practice group level, it asks if firms are actively monitoring and measuring their lawyers’ work activities and experiences, such as work allocation, leave, sponsorship, client pitches, and other critical development and advancement opportunities. The purpose is to ensure that diverse lawyers have equal access to these opportunities and to interrupt any unconscious biases that may exist within firms’ practices or structures.
The data is collected and analyzed by Diversity Lab’s team of data experts. Recognition will be given to the ChIPs Honor Roll Award firms, Inclusion Champion firms, and firms that make bold commitments.
Current diversity representation target thresholds and year-over-year progress
Ongoing inclusion practices and activities
A commitment to ‘hard’ actions to be implemented over the next year
