Holland & Knight's Rising Star Program Honored with 2014 "Most Innovative Gender Diversity Award" by Chambers USA Women in Law

NEW YORK (April 11, 2014) - Holland & Knight received the "Most Innovative Gender Diversity Award" for 2014 from Chambers USA Women in Law at a ceremony held in New York on April 8. The award is presented to the firm that has "excelled in introducing gender diversity and mentoring initiatives that have made a significant difference to the retention and promotion of female legal talent."

The firm was honored specifically for its Rising Star program, which is designed to prepare women attorneys for leadership opportunities.

"We are extremely pleased to be honored in this way by Chambers USA Women in Law," said Tammy Knight, national chair of the firm's Women's Initiative and a graduate of the Rising Star program herself. "Partners Janis Schiff and Deb Barnard founded this unique program 12 years ago, and it continues to serve as a model for other law firms and organizations to mentor their most promising young women."

Rising Star is an intensive, year-long leadership, mentoring, marketing and management program that Holland & Knight provides for a select group of women attorneys to help them elevate their profiles in the legal profession and the community. It features a regular series of presentations and activities aimed specifically at improving business and leadership skills. The program has become an effective recruiting tool for the firm and contributed to the firm being recognized by Working Mother magazine and the National Association for Female Executives.

Ms. Schiff and Ms. Barnard accepted the award on behalf of the firm.