Phillips Lytle LLP Receives National Diversity Award From AT&T

Mar 21, 2012 4:00 PM ET

Wayne Watts, Sr. Executive VP & General Counsel, AT&T Inc., presents David J. McNamara, Managing Partner at Phillips Lytle LLP and Douglas W. Dimitroff, Partner and Telecommunications Team Leader at Phillips Lytle LLP, with the 2012 AT&T Legal Department Diversity and Inclusion Award. (PRNewsFoto/Phillips Lytle LLP)

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 21, 2012 /3BL Media /PRNewswire/ -- Phillips Lytle LLP, one of the region's best known law firms, has received the 2012 AT&T Legal Department Diversity and Inclusion Award for the medium sized firm category. The national award, which recognizes Phillips Lytle's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, was accepted by David J. McNamara, the firm's managing partner, and Douglas W. Dimitroff, leader of the firm's Telecommunications Team, in ceremonies in Dallas, TX on February 15.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120321/NY74105 )

Phillips Lytle was recognized by AT&T for mirroring the telecommunication giant's Rethink Possible goals and diversity vision.

"AT&T is pleased to present the 2012 AT&T Legal Department Diversity and Inclusion Award to Phillips Lytle. Their unique activities and accomplishments are a testament to their commitment to increasing diversity in the legal community. We are proud to partner with a law firm that shares our commitment to diversity," said Wayne Watts, Sr. Executive VP & General Counsel.

"Phillips Lytle recognizes that commitment to diversity and inclusion takes many forms. It is about policies, culture, education, activism, community service and dedication to the pipeline into the professions. Diversity remains a core value of the firm as we continue to introduce new initiatives that embrace an environment of inclusion," said Mr. McNamara.

"To be selected by AT&T for this prestigious award makes us very proud and reinforces our commitment to making diversity part of everything we do everyday," he added.

Among the firm's many diversity initiatives that contributed to the AT&T award are:

Phillips Lytle's innovative "Peace Out" pipeline program, in which firm lawyers guide middle school students in urban and underserved schools in legal problem solving in areas of interest to the students;
the Phillips Lytle Diversity Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to law school students who are traditionally under-represented;
involvement in organizations supporting diverse communities, such as the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; National Association for Women Lawyers; DuPont Legal Minority Counsel Network; Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program.

Phillips Lytle LLP, established in 1834, is a multi-disciplined law firm with offices in New York State and Canada. The firm represents a diverse, multinational client base, including Fortune 500 companies, global, regional and local financial institutions, mid-sized and emerging businesses, and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. For more information, visitwww.phillipslytle.com.

Contact:
Rebecca E. Farbo
Phillips Lytle LLP
716-847-8307