Those participating work closely with senior “rainmaker” sponsors, an internal marketing coach, and an external executive coach to affirm their personal brands and interaction styles, raise their internal and external profiles, develop client opportunities, and expand leadership capabilities.

“Being identified by firm leadership as an attorney with great business development and leadership potential gave me real confidence to push the bounds of my comfort zone and seek out highly visible speaking opportunities. Those opportunities, in turn, led to more client pitch opportunities and assignments, as well as invitations to serve in leadership roles on firm committees,” said Atlanta partner Brandee Kowalzyk, a member of the first class.

“This group is an indication of Nelson Mullins’ desire and commitment to offer an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of its employees, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning employees,” notes Denver Managing Partner Mark Clouatre. “It is important to include members of all ethnicities, genders, disabilities, and orientations and to acknowledge and appreciate the issues important to each group. Through our work, we can promote the culture of the firm and improve client service through [a wide variety of] viewpoints.”

The group holds local networking and discussion events and actively participates in and supports community-related groups such as the National LGBT Bar Association.

“My WOGO group has inspired me to start a conversation with the women I work with to find out what they want to accomplish personally and professionally and what I can do to help raise them up,” says Ginger Boyd, a leader of the Tallahassee office WOGO group.

Bethany practices in Atlanta with the firm’s Emerging Growth and Venture Capital team, which has garnered global and national honors. “I chose to return as an associate because it is rare to find colleagues that invest in the success of their associates, while also cultivating an atmosphere of excellence and collegiality,” Bethany said. 

Nelson Mullins' Scholarship Program is open to 2L law students and is designed to recognize exceptional law students who are committed advancing diversity, equity, and social justice in and through the legal profession. "The Scholarship Program is an important tool to help us attract the talent we need to continue to grow and innovate," managing partner Jim Lehman said.

Awardees receive a scholarship and a salaried summer associate position at one of the firm’s offices. The selection process coincides with Nelson Mullins’ regular summer associate recruiting process.

During the fall and spring semesters, externs work side by side with Atlanta attorneys from Nelson Mullins’ Corporate Group and gain exposure to the entire M&A process as they become involved in a variety of matters related to a transaction. 

Sheryl Ortmann Award — Named after Nelson Mullins' first woman partner.

Sara Turnipseed "Women on the Go" — Named after former Executive Committee, Partner Sarah Turnipseed.

Early Start Award — Recognizes attorneys who support the engagement and opportunities of other attorneys early in their careers.  

Other Recruiting and Talent Development Initiatives

• Nelson Mullins partners with Claflin University (a Historically Black College and University in Orangeburg, SC) for pre-law scholarships.

• The firm participates in the Atlanta Bar Association’s Minority Clerkship Program, which places minority first-year students from Georgia law schools with several large law firms in the Atlanta area.

• The firm has collaborated with clients and a local chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel to support Street Law Inc., working with local high schools to enhance the awareness of opportunities within the legal profession and culminating with a hosted workshop at our office. We have also sponsored NJ LEEP’s Diversity Gala (New Jersey Law and Education Empowerment — a college access and success program).

• The firm encourages its attorneys to become involved in local and national diversity organizations. Firm attorneys hold and have held officer and leadership positions in such organizations as the Colorado LGBT Bar Foundation; the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network, the ABA’s Women Rainmakers Committee, the State Bar of Georgia’s Diversity Program, the Korean American Bar Association, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the Cuban American Bar Association, the Japanese American Bar Association, the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, and more.