Joseph K. West, current Council member and Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Duane Morris, is the recipient of the inaugural Chambers and Partners’ Lifetime Achievement Award: Diversity & Equality. West was selected for his commitment to furthering the advancement of diversity and inclusion and was honored at the 2019 USA Chambers Diversity and Inclusion Awards in June in San Francisco.
“I’m both humbled and honored to be the first person chosen for this award,” said West. “The legal profession has come a long way in opening up opportunities for diverse lawyers, but there is still much more work to be done. Collectively, we have to do a better job of reaching out to historically under-represented populations in our profession and then retaining our diverse talent once they join us. That will come over time by intentionally recruiting diverse lawyers and including them in the fabric and leadership structures of their organizations.”
London-based Chambers and Partners is considered one of the world’s most exclusive rating services for attorneys, law firms and corporate legal departments.
To read more about West, his involvement in diversity and inclusion efforts, and the award, click here.