GM’S General Counsel Chris Johnson Named African American Executive of the Year
E. Christopher Johnson, Jr., General Motors North America vice president and general counsel, was awarded the 2005 "Urban Wheel" award as the auto industry's African American Executive of the Year.
The honor was announced at the ninth annual Urban Wheel awards ceremony, which was held last January. The award recognizes the auto industry's top achievements in reaching diverse markets and advancing diversity within the industry.
Johnson was honored for his work to increase racial and cultural diversity within GM's legal operations and the entire legal profession. In 2003, Johnson challenged GM's legal department to dramatically increase its business with minority and women owned firms. As of December 2004, with a full year left in the challenge period, GM's payments to women owned firms and female lawyers have increased 23 percent, and payments to minority firms and lawyers have increased 75 percent.
For his leadership in promoting diversity, Johnson was awarded the 2004 "Spirit of Excellence" award by the American Bar Association as well as the 2004 "Michael Franck" award by the State Bar of Michigan.
IKON GENERAL COUNSEL DON H. LIU RECEIVES 2005 JUSTICE IN ACTION AWARD
Don H. Liu, senior vice president and general counsel of IKON Office Solutions, was honored at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund's (AALDEF) annual Lunar New Year Gala along with author Salman Rushdie last February in New York City.
Liu received the "Justice in Action" award for his contributions in advancing social justice and equality, and for outstanding achievements in the legal industry. More than 800 individuals attended AALDEF's Lunar New Year Gala, which was followed by the "Justice in Action" awards ceremony. Liu was awarded the "Business Leadership Award" by the Korean American Coalition (KAC) last September. He was also awarded the 2004 Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey Annual Achievement Award. Liu is a member of MCCA's board of directors.
Founded in 1974, AALDEF is a New York based organization that promotes and protects the civil rights of Asian Americans nationwide.
CONGRATULATIONS SOUTH/SOUTHWEST REGION AWARD WINNERS
At its annual south/southwest region diversity dinner in February, MCCA® presented awards to the legal departments of three leading companies and a law firm for their successful diversity efforts and initiatives.
Accepting the "Employer of Choice" award on behalf of their law departments were: Joaquin R. Carbonell, executive vice president and general counsel, Cingular Wireless LLC; James A. Hatcher, senior vice president, legal and regulatory affairs, Cox Communications, Inc.; and Edward B. Stead, executive vice president and general counsel, Blockbuster Inc.
The "Sager" award, which is named in honor of DuPont's vice president and general counsel, Thomas L. Sager, is given to a law firm in the region for its commitment to improve hiring, retention, and the promotion of minority attorneys. The Sager award was presented to Henry N. Adorno, chief executive officer, Adorno & Yoss.
The keynote speaker was the Honorable Brenda T. Rhoades of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
AFRICAN AMERICAN INSURANCE ASSOCIATION ELECTS ANTHONY K. GREENE AS VICE CHAIR
Anthony K. Greene, CRM, CIC, a director at the Jamison Insurance Group, has been elected 2005 2006 vice chairman of the National African American Insurance Association (www.naaia.org).
Greene has more than 27 years of experience in providing risk management and insurance counseling to corporations, non profits, professional associations, accounting firms, and over 2,500 law firms. Prior to joining Jamison 16 years ago, he spent 10 years at Johnson & Higgins and Alexander & Alexander.
A board member of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association and the Insurance Brokers Association of New York, Greene is also a past president of the American Intellectual Property Law Education Foundation and National Insurance Industry Association.
From the March/April 2005 issue of Diversity & The Bar®