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Am Law 200 Firm To Actually Get A Woman Of Color As Its Global Chair

Change may be slow, but it's coming.

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Shauna Clark

Come January 1, an Am Law 200 firm will actually have a woman of color at its helm. While it’s true that women generally, and women of color specifically, make gains in the legal profession at a “glacial pace,” according to a report by the National Association of Women Lawyers, there is some good news. Yesterday, Norton Rose Fulbright announced that partner Shauna Clark will take the position of Global and U.S. Chair, starting in the new year.

In the firm’s statements about the appointment, there’s a recognition of the historic nature of Clark taking over the role. It’s the first time a woman of color has held either the Global or U.S. Chair role and she’ll be the only woman of color to chair an Am Law 200 firm, as Gerry Pecht, Norton Rose Fulbright’s Global Chief Executive, said:

“Shauna will expand client relationships with her collaborative nature and bring our firm closer together with her unifying vision. Shauna is the first woman of color to hold either of these important positions at our firm as well as the only woman of color to be Chair of an ‘Am Law 200’ firm. Our people and clients will benefit from both her legal prowess and excellent judgment in the courtroom and the boardroom, as well as her invaluable perspective on diversity and inclusion issues.”

Clark received her JD from Tulane Law School and got her BA in political science from Louisiana State University. She is currently U.S. Head of the firm’s Employment and Labor practice and serves on the Global Executive Committee and US Management Committee. Clark, who has been at this firm since 1994, is also a member of the firm’s U.S. Diversity and Inclusion Committee and US Racial Equality Council, and says “making a positive change” will be a priority for her tenure in the positions:

“My immediate focus is to connect with our clients and grow these relationships through our world-class talent and superior service. I also will work with colleagues and clients to advance racial equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our firm and the legal profession. Following this year’s traumatic events across the US and in other parts of the world, making a positive change stands as even more of a priority, both at Norton Rose Fulbright and throughout our communities.”

And Jeff Cody, the firm’s U.S. Managing Partner, expressed his support of Clark:

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“Shauna is a gifted leader, a dynamic communicator and trusted advisor.  As our new Global and US Chair, Shauna will bring her passion for the firm and her legal practice to client relationships across the US and around the globe. We have many exciting plans for Norton Rose Fulbright, and we are delighted to have Shauna in these roles.”

The Global Chair is a one-year role, which rotates across regions and the U.S. Chair position has a four-year term.

Congratulations to Clark!

headshotKathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, and host of The Jabot podcast. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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