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Opportunity & Inclusion

Opportunity & Inclusion

At Winston & Strawn, we strengthen our firm and service to clients by cultivating a culture where individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together to achieve our collective goals. We believe that a workplace grounded in respect, belonging, and collaboration produces excellence and allows us to deliver passionate—even unreasonable—service to our clients and colleagues.

Our efforts focus on fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, broadening access to opportunity, and encouraging meaningful engagement across every level of the firm. We develop innovative programs and invest in partnerships that strengthen our recruitment, retention, and development of all talented lawyers and business professionals throughout the firm.

 

At Winston, we’re creating lasting change by embedding inclusive practices, expanding opportunity, and fostering a culture where everyone can thrive.

Kobi Kennedy Brinson, Charlotte Partner, Chair of Opportunity & Inclusion Committee

Recruitment Initiatives
At Winston, we’re committed to expanding access to opportunity through early, meaningful engagement with law students.
Learn More
Recruitment Initiatives
At Winston, we’re committed to expanding access to opportunity through early, meaningful engagement with law students.
Learn More
Retention and Advancement Initiatives
Recruiting talented lawyers is only the first step. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where our lawyers can grow, thrive, and have a fulfilling career.
Learn More
Retention and Advancement Initiatives
Recruiting talented lawyers is only the first step. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where our lawyers can grow, thrive, and have a fulfilling career.
Learn More
My overarching objective is to foster an environment of greater understanding, inclusivity, and support where every member of Winston & Strawn has meaningful access to the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

Sylvia James, Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer

Firmwide Networks

Winston has 10 firmwide networks that are open to all lawyers and serve as platforms for connection, networking, and community. These networks reflect the wide range of identities, interests, and experiences that make up our firm community:

Austin Leach and Angela Smedley, Co-Chairs

Johanna Rae Hudgens and Richard Weber, Co-Chairs

Carrie Hardman and Ivan Poullaos, Co-Chairs

Saranya Raghavan and Alessandra Swanson, Co-Chairs

Donald Goff and Monica Lopez-Rodriguez, Co-Chairs

Imad Khan and Pete Morgan, Co-Chairs

Scott Border, Chair

Shawn Obi and Jovial Wong, Co-Chairs

David Sakowitz, Chair

Sophie Dechaumet and Jennifer Kurtis, Co-Chairs

Winston’s Military Service Network creates a space where veterans feel seen, supported, and connected. We bring the values we learned in service—leadership, discipline, and teamwork—into everything we do, and it’s meaningful to be part of a firm that recognizes and builds on those strengths.

Scott Border, Chair, Military Service Network

The Black Lawyers Network has been instrumental in helping me grow my network, find mentors, and feel a strong sense of community. Being part of BLN means knowing you have a support system behind you, cheering you on and invested in your success.

Precious Nwankwo, Associate Advisor, Black Lawyers Network

Community Engagement

Winston is proud to partner with organizations that expand access to meaningful connections and opportunities for lawyers across the legal industry, and strengthen the pipeline of talent in law.
Learn More

Awards & Recognitions

Winston’s commitment to cultivating an inclusive and opportunity-rich culture has been recognized by leading organizations. 

Notable Honors

Named One of the Best Companies to Work for Among U.S. Law Firms

U.S. News & World Report 2025®

6 Years as a Top 15
Pro Bono Firm

The American Lawyer Pro Bono Scorecard

Scored 100 on the Corporate Equality Index for 16 consecutive years

Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Named a Top 50 Law Firm for Women in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2017

Seramount (formerly Working Mother)

Earned MCCA Approved 2023 GOLD Seal

Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Named a 2022 Change Agent

Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms

Received the 2022 and 2024 Compass Award

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

98 Tier 1 Rankings®

Best Law Firms®
U.S. News & World Report 2025®

Named One of the Best Companies to Work for Among U.S. Law Firms

The American Lawyer Pro Bono Scorecard

6 Years as a Top 15
Pro Bono Firm

Human Rights Campaign Foundation

Scored 100 on the Corporate Equality Index for 16 consecutive years

Seramount (formerly Working Mother)

Named a Top 50 Law Firm for Women in 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2017

Minority Corporate Counsel Association

Earned MCCA Approved 2023 GOLD Seal

Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms

Named a 2022 Change Agent

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity

Received the 2022 and 2024 Compass Award

Best Law Firms®

98 Tier 1 Rankings®

Opportunity & Inclusion Committee

Winston’s Opportunity & Inclusion Committee is chaired by Charlotte Partner Kobi Kennedy Brinson and includes firm leaders, partners, and senior business professionals who drive strategic initiatives to promote opportunity, inclusion, and community across the firm.

Attorney & Business Professional Members

Attorney & Business Professional Members

Kobi Brinson, Chair

Victor Barnett

Director

New York

Email

+1 212-294-6754

Mats G. Carlston

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-6696

Linda Coberly

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-8768

Eva Cole

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-4609

Diane Costigan

Director

New York

Email

+1 212-294-4626

Peter Crowther

International Managing Partner

London

Email

+44 20 7011 8750

Steve D’Amore

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-5934

Dominick P. DeChiara

Chief Strategy Officer

New York

Email

+1 212-294-2609

Sandra Edwards

Partner

San Francisco

Email

+1 415-591-1412

Chris Gavin

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-1725

Sylvia James

Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer

Washington, DC

Email

+1 202-282-5856

Brett Johnson

Partner

Dallas

Email

+1 214-453-6416

Timothy Kincaid

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-5243

Beth Kramer

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-6646

Grine Lahreche

Partner

Paris

Email

+33 1 53 64 82 28

Samantha Lerner

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-6463

Angela M. Machala

Partner

Los Angeles

Email

+1 213-615-1997

Lisa A. McLafferty

Chief Talent Officer

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-6151

William O’Neil

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-5308

Krishnan Padmanabhan

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-3564

David A. Sakowitz

Partner

New York

Email

+1 212-294-2639

Amandeep S. Sidhu

Partner

Washington, DC

Email

+1 202-282-5828

Angela A. Smedley

Partner

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-9889

Cardelle Spangler

Managing Partner, Internal Affairs

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-7541

Jovial Wong

Partner

Washington, DC

Email

+1 202-282-5867

Kobi Brinson, Chair

Victor Barnett

Mats G. Carlston

Linda Coberly

Eva Cole

Diane Costigan

Peter Crowther

Steve D’Amore

Dominick P. DeChiara

Sandra Edwards

Chris Gavin

Sylvia James

Brett Johnson

Timothy Kincaid

Beth Kramer

Grine Lahreche

Samantha Lerner

Angela M. Machala

Lisa A. McLafferty

William O’Neil

Krishnan Padmanabhan

David A. Sakowitz

Amandeep S. Sidhu

Angela A. Smedley

Cardelle Spangler

Jovial Wong

Associate Advisors to the Opportunity & Inclusion Committee

Associate Advisors to the Opportunity & Inclusion Committee

Farah Z. Alkayed

Associate

Los Angeles

Email

+1 213-615-1722

John Drosick

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-7891

Marcus Garcia

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-9074

Amelia Garza-Mattia

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-6086

Nasir Hussain

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-3761

Jack O. Lenske

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-3752

Precious Nwankwo

Associate

New York

Email

+1 212-294-1779

Christopher M. Parker

Associate

Chicago

Email

+1 312-558-8085

Franklin Y. Shen

Associate

Houston

Email

+1 713-651-2722

Michelle D. Tuma

Associate

New York

Email

+1 212-294-3284

Farah Z. Alkayed

John Drosick

Marcus Garcia

Amelia Garza-Mattia

Nasir Hussain

Jack O. Lenske

Precious Nwankwo

Christopher M. Parker

Franklin Y. Shen

Michelle D. Tuma

For more information on Winston’s opportunity and inclusion program or to request a copy of the diversity data for our London office, please contact Sylvia James, Winston & Strawn’s Chief Opportunity & Inclusion Officer.

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March 28, 2025
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March 22, 2025
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February 18, 2025
Recognitions
Imad Khan Named a 2025 Diversity in Business Award Honoree by the Houston Business Journal
February 11, 2025
Recognitions
Danielle Williams Selected as a Charlotte Business Journal 2025 Women in Business Award Winner
January 27, 2025
Recognitions
Nimalka Wickramasekera Named Among the Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys
January 22, 2025
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Winston Volunteers Assemble 3,600+ Care Packages in Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 21, 2025
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Winston Kicks Off Sixth Cohort of D&I Associate Sponsorship Program and Graduates the Class of 2023-2024
November 25, 2024
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