Epstein Becker Green Named a Finalist for MCCA’s 2023 Thomas L. Sager Award and Earns Gold Seal Accreditation for Diversity Efforts

Washington, DC (September 27, 2023) – Epstein Becker Green (EBG) is proud to announce that it has been named as a finalist for the Minority Corporate Counsel Association’s (MCCA) prestigious Thomas L. Sager award, highlighting the firm’s commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive legal industry that benefits everyone.

EBG has also earned the 2023 MCCA Approved Gold Seal, the result of tangible results in working to hire, retain, and promote diverse attorneys. MCCA “was thrilled to learn more about the efforts made by EBG to know better, do better, and lead better to enable substantive transformation of DEI dedication in the legal profession.”

“We are honored to be named a finalist for the Sager award and to have earned the Gold tier accreditation status,” said Carrie Valiant, Chair of the firm’s Diversity and Professional Development Committee and Member of the firm’s Board of Directors. “This reflects our dedication to creating a legal environment where every voice and perspective is valued, and a profession in which every individual can thrive. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded into our Core Values—at EBG, diversity is not just a goal but a source of strength and innovation.”

After a thorough analysis of the 2022 MCCA Law Firm Diversity Survey submissions, MCCA determined the finalists and winners for the Sager Award. Launched in 2004, this survey is the longest standing diversity survey in the legal industry. It gathers insights about law firm demographics, leadership composition, retention, and promotion of women and diverse lawyers; and analyzes this data through the Diversity Scorecard to build industry-wide standards and firm-specific recommendation.

The Diversity Scorecard measures quantitative data including demographics, recruiting, retention and promotion as well as qualitative. It is the only scorecard in our industry that conducts this level of comprehensive data analysis, trends and provides a roadmap to achieve more positive outcomes for all.

“In the midst of today's rapidly evolving global landscape, the importance of building community cannot be overstated,” said Jean Lee, President, and CEO of MCCA. “It is critical that we double down on our efforts to improve equity, economic inclusion, and justice for all. I applaud the innovation and leadership of the finalists for the Thomas L. Sager Award.”

Presented since 1999, the Sager Award is named after former DuPont Senior Vice President and General Counsel Thomas L. Sager, a pioneer in increasing diversity in the legal profession. Sager’s creation of the DuPont Company Legal Model, is an industry benchmark for the hiring, retention, and promotion of women and diverse attorneys.

“We express deep appreciation for the achievements of our finalists,” said Wanji Walcott, Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer at Pinterest and MCCA’s Board Chair. “They exemplify inclusive leadership across all levels of their organizations, working tirelessly to promote equity within the legal profession. Their commitment to forging alliances to drive collective change underscores the vital role collaboration plays in advancing these crucial goals.”

EBG is a top 20 finalist in MCCA’s Category 4, of firms with 251 – 650 lawyers. 

For more information, please visit MCCA.com.

About the Minority Corporate Counsel Association

The Minority Corporate Counsel Association is the preeminent voice on diversity, equity, and inclusion from the counsel’s office to the C-suite and across corporate America. For over 25 years, MCCA has championed diversity in the legal profession and beyond by publishing research, providing professional development opportunities, convening thought leaders, and offering advisory services. Today, MCCA empowers members with the tools needed to know, do, and lead better – and to transform their company, industry, and corporate America for the better.

About Epstein Becker Green

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., is a national law firm with a primary focus on health care and life sciences; employment, labor, and workforce management; and litigation and business disputes. Founded in 1973 as an industry-focused firm, Epstein Becker Green has decades of experience serving clients in health care, financial services, retail, hospitality, and technology, among other industries, representing entities from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Operating in locations throughout the United States and supporting domestic and multinational clients, the firm’s attorneys are committed to uncompromising client service and legal excellence.  For more information, visit www.ebglaw.com.