The Firm

In the Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms, 2013 edition, Quarles & Brady ranked #13 in Best Law Firms for Diversity, #8 in Diversity for Women and #14 for Diversity for Minorities. In the Quality of Life section of the guide Quarles & Brady ranked #9 in Informal Training.

Quarles & Brady has been listed as one of the law firms qualifying for Gold Standard Certification by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) for 2012. The Firm was also recognized on the inaugural list in 2011. This designation is reserved for firms that have integrated women in top leadership positions and compensated them well. Quarles' selection for this recognition reflects our long standing commitment to the women attorneys in our firm.

Quarles & Brady has been listed in Multicultural Law Magazine's 2012 "Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity". Additionally, the Firm ranked 25th in the "Top 100 Law Firms for Women".

The Milwaukee office was named a Top 100 Workplace in Southeastern Wisconsin for 2012 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Workplace Dynamics.

The Firm's Florida offices were listed in the fourth annual Florida's Best Companies to Work For 2012 by Florida Trend magazine and Best Companies Group.

Quarles & Brady earned a 100% rating in both the 2010 & 2011 Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation annual Corporate Equality Index.

Quarles & Brady was honored at the 2012 Human Rights Campaign Arizona Gala with the Corporate Equality Award. This significant recognition is the result of the active steps Quarles has taken to create an inclusive workplace and institute LGBT friendly programs and policies.

Equality Illinois in  2012 continued to recognize Quarles & Brady as one of the 'A' List law firms doing business in Illinois. The firms that made the 'A' List were applauded for their treatment of LGBT employees based on personnel policies, domestic partner benefits, diversity training, and other factors.

The firm was named by az magazine and BestCompaniesAZ as a Hall of Fame honoree in  2012 because we have been named as one of the “Top 25 Workplaces for Women” in Arizona many years running.

Quarles & Brady was named among the 50 Best Law Firms for Women by the National Association for Female Executives (NAFE)  and Flex-Time Lawyers for 2011.

The Individuals

Jean Baker was named a 2011 Woman of Influence in the category of "Innovation," based on her substantive work with scientists, inventors and legal innovators on the cutting edge of technology and intellectual property development by The Business Journal of Milwaukee.

Lyzzette Bullock was selected as a recipient of the 2012 'Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona' award by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education. The Top 50 Pro Bono Attorneys in Arizona award recognizes attorneys who have tirelessly given their time and expertise to assist Arizonans who would otherwise have no legal resources. She was nominated by Community Legal Services.

Ann Comer was named a 2011 "Woman in the Law" by the Wisconsin Law Journal. Ann was also honored with a "Women in Real Estate" award from Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women (WCREW) - this award recognizes women who have made a significant contribution to the real estate industry in Wisconsin and who are significant role models and mentors for other women in the industry.

Patrick Costello is on the Board of Directors of the Florida Diversity Council and is also the Secretary of the Southwest Florida Diversity Council.

John Daniels is very active in the community and has been recognized many times for his contributions in bringing business, government and community leaders together. Recent recognitions include:

• Received the  2012 Excellence in Education Award from the Milwaukee Public School Board of School Directors.
• Named 2012 Parents of the Year by COA Youth and Family Centers along with his wife Irma Daniels.
• Received the “Friend of the University Award” from the Marquette University Alumni Association in  2012. 
• Recognized with the 2012 Spirit of Excellence Award from the American Bar Association Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession. Mr. Daniels was selected for this award for his positive contributions to the profession, lawyers of color and to the community in his decades of service. Each year, only six attorneys nationally are chosen to receive this prestigious award.
• Named on Being A Black Lawyer’s  2012 inaugural Power 100 list, a comprehensive catalog of the nation’s most influential black attorneys working in government, academia, and both the public and private sectors.
• Received the “Outstanding Alumnus” medal in 2012 as part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of North Central College (NCC) in Naperville, IL.
• 2011 Legend of the Year, Milwaukee Community Journal.
• Received the 2011 Pathfinder Award by the African-American Managing Partners Network.
• Featured in the Profiles in Diversity - CEO Leadership in Action.
• The 2011 Friends of the Hispanic Community Award from the United Community Center (UCC).

Anneke Diem has been selected as one of the Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 — Class of 2012 by The National LGBT Bar Association. The Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40 award recognizes outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender legal professionals under the age of 40 who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrated a profound commitment to LGBT equality.

Steven Hunter is one of our movers and shakers and is recognized as such not only by us but by external organizations. Steven's recent accomplishments include:

• Fellow for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) staring in  2012.
• Named Young Lawyer of the Year in 2012 by the Illinois State Bar Association.
• Recipient of the 2012 Executive Award from The Conversation.
• Selected by IMPACT and the National Bar Association (NBA) as a finalist for the 2011 “Nation’s Best Advocates: 40 Lawyers Under 40.” The award recognizes talented individuals within the African American legal community who have achieved prominence and distinction.
• Received "Man of Excellence" Award from the Chicago Defender in January 2011.
• Received the "Board of Directors" Award" for Pro Bono service from Chicago Volunteer Legal Service in 2010.
• Recognized for Outstanding Achievements in Public Service and Pro Bono Work by Loyola University Chicago School of Law and received the Public Interest Convocation Award, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in October 2010.
• Appointed to the Chicago Child Care Society's ("CCCS") Board of Directors. The Chicago Child Care Society has been serving children and families since 1849.

Mary Pat Jacoby was selected  by the Wisconsin Law Journal as one of its 2012 Women In Law.

Kim Johnson was named “Woman Lawyer of the Year” by the Collier County Women’s Bar Association (2010).  The Woman Lawyer of the Year is awarded to an attorney who has excelled in her career, overcome traditional stereotypes associated with women, promoted the status of women within the profession, and/or promoted the status of women in the State of Florida.

Janine Landow-Esser was selected by The Law Bulletin as "Chicago Women in Law: Women Making an Impact" in 2012.  In 2011 she received the Ambassador Award from Chicago United, she also received the  2010 Program Champion Honorable Recognition.

Eric Ledbetter has been named to the list of 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch for 2010 by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company. 

Leonardo Loo was appointed General Counsel for the Arizona Hispanic Chamber in 2012.  As General Counsel, he will assist the chamber with governance and other legal compliance matters. In this role, Leo will also serve on the chamber's Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Melissa Manning became an Advisory Member to the Young Women’s Leadership Council of the Chicago Foundation for Women in  2012.

Cory Nettles has been named to the Board of Directors of Usher’s New Look Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by R&B singer ‘Usher.’ Nettles will serve on the Foundation’s development committee and lend his expertise to guide the strategic fund development goals of the Foundation, which certifies young people in four leadership areas including talent, education, career and service.

Lanse Scriven was selected for Diversity MBA Magazine's  2012 Top 100 Executive & Emerging Leaders List. Lanse also was the recipient of the Heman Marion Sweatt Award from the National Bar Association in 2012.  The HMS award recognizes African American attorneys who excel in their professional settings, who personify excellence on the national, state, or local level, and, who have demonstrated a commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession.

Kevin Slaughter has been selected to be a Board Member of the Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms.  The Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms is the preeminent voice and agent fostering racial and ethnic diversity in the Chicago legal community, impacting the broader legal profession. He is also a member of Chicago United Leaders Council and was selected as 2010 Business Leaders Program Champion and the 2011 Visionary Honorary Mention.

Nicole Stanton has a high profile in the community and is frequently recognized for her proactive stance against bullying and for equality. Recent honors include:

• Being one of three recipients of 2012 Ally for Equality Awards from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Nicole was recognized for the anti-bullying initiative she has launched.
• Honored in  2012 by Aguila Youth Leadership Institute.
• Recognized by the Anti-Defamation League with the  2012 "Al" Brooks Community Leadership Award for her leadership in fighting the nationwide epidemic of bullying in the schools. 
• Received the 2012 “Emerging Star” award from Emerge Arizona, a political leadership training program that works to indentify, educate and inspire Democratic women who want to pursue a career in politics at the local and state levels in Arizona. She was honored for her support of guiding the way for Democratic women to get into elected office.
• Recognized by Phoenix Pride at their annual 2012 Pride Gala with the Mayor Phil Gordon Spirit Award, which honors an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution in political issues for the metropolitan Phoenix LGBTQ community.
• 2011 Tribute to Women Honoree by the YWCA of Maricopa County’s in the Business Leader Category in 2011.

Dawn Valdivia was selected as a 2010 "40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40" honoree by Phoenix's Univision Radio and Chicanos Por La Causa. Dawn was also recently selected to the Inaugural Class of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the Association of the Corporate Counsel Pilot Project on Value-Based Skills: Equipping the Next Generation of Latina Corporate Practice Leaders.

Valerie Vidal was selected as half of Milwaukee's Big Brothers Big Sisters 2012 "Match of the Year." Valerie is also a recipient of United Way's "Philanthropic Five Award" for  2012 which recognizes five community leaders in their 20s, 30s and 40s that have made extraordinary commitments of leadership, volunteerism, mentoring, and philanthropy to Greater Milwaukee's nonprofit community.

Everett Ward has been elected as a member of the Board of Trustees of The Field Museum in Chicago. The Field Museum is an educational institution concerned with the diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures.

Marian Zapata-Rossa is on the Los Abogados Board of Directors.  Los Abogados is Arizona's Hispanic Bar Association.  Los Abogados primary purpose is to enhance the quality of legal services provided to the community with a view of promoting the business of the Hispanic legal profession within the state of Arizona. Marian has also been named as one of the 2011 "40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40" in Arizona by Univision Radio and Chicanos Por La Causa. Marian was also appointed by the Arizona Supreme Court to sit on the Commission on Minorities in the Judiciary. Marian will be a member-at-large of the Commission for a term of three years. Marian's appointment was made by Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch.

Four partners, Lisa Acevedo, Leezie Kim, Luis Ochoa, and Lansing Scriven, were named to DiversityMBA Magazine’s 2012 Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders list.  The four were selected as leaders from a group of more than 300 highly competitive candidates from public and privately held companies as well as entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations for their achievements in their communities.