Women in Law Empowerment Forum Recognizes Vinson & Elkins with Achievement of Gold Standard Certification

WILEF grants Gold Standard status to major law firms that meet objective criteria concerning the number of women among equity partners, women promoted to equity partner, and women in firm leadership positions, and includes criteria covering women of color and LGBTQ+ women.

“Our culture of inclusion starts at the highest levels of firm management, and the focus throughout the firm is to provide opportunities that elevate and give a purposeful voice to women and attorneys of color,” said Trina Chandler, partner in Vinson & Elkins’ Mergers & Acquisition group, the firm’s Financial Review Chair, and Chair of the Women’s Initiative. “The recognition from WILEF reinforces our commitment to women lawyers, and we are excited for what the future holds as we continue to create meaningful solutions that are critical to advancing and retaining top-tier, diverse talent.”

WILEF focuses on benchmarks that drive women lawyers to succeed in business development and leadership roles, and Vinson & Elkins is one of only two firms in the U.S. added to this year’s list. Among the firm’s newest women in leadership are Hilary Preston, Vice Chair-Elect and a partner in the firm’s Austin office and Chair of the Intellectual Property & Technology Litigation practice, and Sarah Morgan, a Houston partner who was recently named co-head of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Capital Markets practice group.

Only 29 U.S. law firms were awarded 2021 Gold Standard Certification by WILEF this year, down from 48 in 2020.