MCCA Honors Covington & Burling as Sager Award Winner

Minority Corporate Counsel Association Honors Covington & Burling as Sager Award Winner

Washington, DC − The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) honored Covington & Burling LLP with its prestigious Thomas L. Sager Award for the Mid-Atlantic Region on June 9, 2011. The presentation took place at MCCA’s annual Regional Networking Forum held at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Accepting the award on behalf of Covington & Burling was Tom Williamson, Co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee and Chair of its Employment Practice Group.

Two other firms were recognized as finalists during the Regional Network Forum: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and WilmerHale. The event was attended by more than 300 people and was hosted by Cox Communications.

The Thomas L. Sager Award is given to law firms that demonstrate sustained commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of minority attorneys. It is named for MCCA board member and DuPont Company Senior Vice President and General Counsel Thomas L. Sager. It is presented to outstanding law firms at five Regional Networking Forums during the year.

“Covington takes enormous pride in being selected by the MCCA as the Mid-Atlantic winner of the Thomas Sager Award both because it is a validation of our firm’s dedication and commitment to diversity and because the MCCA’s recognition will inspire us to work even harder to overcome the continuing challenges of advancing diversity in the legal profession,” Mr. Williamson said.

“MCCA is pleased to acknowledge Covington & Burling with this award,” said Executive Director Veta T. Richardson. “Their commitment to diversity sets an example for other law firms as together we work toward a legal profession where everyone is truly welcome.”

The event was the last for Ms. Richardson as MCCA’s Executive Director. She will assume the post of President and CEO at the Association of Corporate Counsel on July 1.

The mission of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association is to advance the hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse attorneys in legal departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA furthers its mission by publishing research on achieving diversity and best practices in the legal profession, honoring innovative diversity programs with its Employer of Choice and Thomas L. Sager awards, and assisting diverse law students through the Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program. MCCA’s work has been recognized with awards from the National Minority Business Council, Inc., the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Gay and Lesbian Law Association, and the Association of Corporate Counsel.

Founded in 1997, MCCA is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and also has a Southeast regional office in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, go to mcca.com.