MCCA Announces Search for New CEO

MCCA Announces Search for New CEO
West Will Leave Legacy of Membership Growth and Valuable Career Development Initiatives

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) announced that it has launched a search for its next President and CEO. The mission of MCCA is to advocate for the hiring, promotion, and retention of diverse attorneys in corporate legal departments and the law firms that they retain. Since its founding in 1997, MCCA has emerged as a knowledge leader on diversity issues, and its programs and initiatives cover a wide range of diversity management issues, with an emphasis on the professional challenges faced by race/ethnic minorities; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lawyers; people with disabilities; and multi-generational workforces. As a result of its significant impact on the legal profession, MCCA serves as one of the key voices in the Diversity Bar.

MCCA’s current President and CEO Joseph K. West will be transitioning out of his role as head of the organization at the end of the year. West has led MCCA since September 2011. Under his watch, the organization vastly expanded its membership, and launched new business and skills development programs as well as training initiatives designed to hone the talent of diverse lawyers. West also utilized his extensive range of contacts to forge new strategic partnerships with like-minded foundations and bar associations.

“I have been honored and humbled to lead MCCA over the past four years, and have the highest regard for the hard work put in by the organization’s Board, staff, sponsors and partners,” West said. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together in this time and will continue, just as I did before this role, to support and champion MCCA in its mission to push for greater diversity and inclusion in the legal community. I look forward to spending the next few months focused on the important work that remains and on creating a seamless transition as MCCA identifies a replacement to lead this great organization.”

“I want to thank Joe for his contributions to MCCA and his commitment to advancing a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. He has been a transformative presence and the profession is better as a result of his efforts,” said MCCA Board Chair Michelle Banks. “Our search is underway for a new leader to continue the critical work of diversifying corporate legal departments and the law firms that support them. We wish Joe the very best as he accepts a new opportunity, and look forward to MCCA’s next chapter.”

The search for the next MCCA President and CEO is being led by Linda Madrid, Global Leader of the Legal & Compliance practice at DHR International.

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The Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) was founded in 1997 to advocate for the expanded hiring, retention, and promotion of minority attorneys in corporate law departments and the law firms that serve them. MCCA furthers its mission through the collection and dissemination of information about diversity in the legal profession. MCCA takes an inclusive approach to the definition of “diversity.” Therefore, its research addresses issues of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, and generational differences which impact the legal profession’s workforce.