SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Brooks Kushman is pleased to announce the firm has been recognized as a national Honor Roll firm for the second year in a row by ChIPs, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing and connecting women in technology, law, and policy, based on the results of an Inclusion Blueprint Survey. A joint initiative between ChIPs and Diversity Lab, the survey measures diversity in law firm leadership and the IP practice.
Brooks Kushman is one of three firms that scored the highest on the ChIPs Blueprint Survey and were recognized during the Global Summit in Washington, D.C. 200 firms across the nation were asked to participate in a survey that evaluated diversity criteria in three categories, including: (1) diversity in leadership; (2) efforts to track inclusion metrics for their lawyers’ work activities and experiences; and (3) development and advancement opportunities in the IP group.
“We are thrilled to once again receive the ChIPs Honor Roll Award,” said Sangeeta Gandhi Shah, Chief Executive Officer at Brooks Kushman. “The Inclusion Blueprint & Diagnostic has been a great tool for our firm as we refine our processes to foster a more inclusive and diverse work culture. Through our increased tracking of advancement and compensation metrics, Brooks Kushman has been able to gauge incremental progress so we can take the steps needed to improve our DEI efforts year-over-year.” Prior to being named the CEO, Sangeeta served as Brooks Kushman’s Chief Diversity Officer for 7 years—leading the firm’s DEI initiatives both within the firm and in the broader legal community.
A total of ten firms were recognized during the ChIPs Global Summit for scoring the highest on the survey. Sheppard Mullin, Orrick, and Brooks Kushman scored the highest overall points on the survey, earning ChIPs’ Top Honor Roll Awards and were highlighted for their advanced approach to leadership and equal access to opportunities for diverse professionals.
“We are honored to be recognized by ChIPs and Diversity Lab for this award,” said Linda Mettes, Shareholder and Chief Inclusion Officer. “Diversity and inclusion are important facets of our firm and overall culture. Over the last decade, we have remained focused on becoming a change agent for diversity and inclusion within the legal community. Pipeline initiatives allow us to foster relationships and share best practices that lead to changes in our industry.”
As Chief Inclusion Officer, Mettes is instrumental in building the firm’s organizational pipeline dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and STEM. Since 2013, Mettes has been actively involved with the firm’s DEI efforts. She is heavily involved with many local and national organizations to elevate career opportunities and mentoring within the firm.
Brooks Kushman is a long-time supporter of ChIPs and regularly partners with the organization to help move the needle on diversity and inclusion within the legal community.
Click to read more about ChIPs and the Honor Roll here.
About ChIPs
ChIPs is a nonprofit organization focused on advancing and connecting women in technology, law and policy. ChIPs seeks to accelerate innovation in these areas by increasing diversity of thought, participation and engagement. At ChIPs, members are united in the belief that diversity, of all types, is essential to innovation and to a thriving, evolving society. Membership is open to anyone who shares this mission. Founded in 2005 by seven women chiefs of intellectual property, it has expanded beyond those roots, now with over 3,000 members and over a dozen regional chapters in the United States and abroad. Many members are engaged at the heart of current events — as active participants in the lawmaking, policymaking, judicial, advocacy and innovation processes. Please visit www.chipsnetwork.org.
About Diversity Lab
Diversity Lab is an incubator for innovative ideas and solutions that boost diversity and inclusion in law. Experimental ideas are created through our Hackathons and piloted in collaboration with more than 50 top law firms and legal departments across the country. Diversity Lab leverages data, behavioral science, design thinking, and technology to further develop and test the ideas, measure the results, and share the lessons learned. For more information, visit www.diversitylab.com.
About Brooks Kushman P.C.
Brooks Kushman P.C. is a premier intellectual property (IP) and technology law firm dedicated to the advancement and protection of innovations and brands that propel businesses around the world. With offices in Michigan and California, we work alongside corporations, small to medium sized businesses, and leading universities to protect their intellectual property assets. Our attorneys have a broad range of experience in industries and technologies, including consumer electronics, manufacturing, medical device, computer technology, aerospace, chemicals, biotechnology, and retail.
Brooks Kushman counts a number of Fortune 100 companies across a variety of industries among its clients. The firm is also recognized by leading legal publications and rankings, including Corporate Counsel magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Law360, Intellectual Asset Management, Managing Intellectual Property, and Intellectual Property Today. For more information, please visit www.BrooksKushman.com.
