Working towards a diverse environment

WIPR’s Influential Women in IP initiative is another crucial piece of the conversation about advancing women in the field of IP and building communities of like-minded individuals—regardless of gender—who are committed to creating environments where everyone can thrive, writes Nicola Dagg of Kirkland & Ellis.

On behalf of Kirkland & Ellis, I am so proud to be the official Launch Partner for WIPR’s Influential Women in IP. This initiative is another crucial piece of the conversation about not only advancing women in the field of IP and ensuring things such as safe work environments and equal pay, but also about building communities of like-minded individuals—regardless of gender—who are committed to diversity and inclusion and creating environments where we all can thrive and share ideas that will benefit the
IP community.

At the end of 2018, I took the opportunity of a lifetime to join Kirkland’s market-leading IP practice in the London office, where the percentage of women in the practice’s partnership outpaces that of the rest of the firm. One of the many exciting things about my move to Kirkland is being a part of a culture where women lawyers are empowered through real work early on and have the ability to carve their own career paths from the start.

"I am thrilled to be a part of a firm that values diversity and the viewpoints that come from varying backgrounds." - Nicola Dagg

A key to our women’s success is not only strong mentorship, but also the firm’s progressive benefits, services and programmes that help them successfully balance their careers and personal lives. This support has led to Kirkland’s being named one of the Best Law Firms for Women every year since 2012. As mother to a seven-year-old daughter, this is so important to me.

Kirkland is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment, and advancement of women in the legal profession is an important part of this commitment. Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Gender Subcommittee is dedicated to examining issues, policies and practices that directly impact women lawyers at the firm.

Kirkland women serve in critical roles leading our firm, clients and communities. Furthermore, our Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI) promotes the recruitment, retention and advancement of our women lawyers and aims to develop them into leaders within their practice groups, the firm, the legal profession and the community.

We aim to accelerate gender parity and inclusion through our innovative WLI programming, and the WLI and Gender Subcommittee’s work is enhanced by a large network of allies and supporters at Kirkland who share the goal of further promoting gender diversity at the firm.

I am thrilled to be a part of a firm that values diversity and the viewpoints that come from varying backgrounds. I would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement of other amazing women, including the associates, partners, and practice assistants who helped me manage my time working in such a challenging, fast-paced and rewarding environment.

I am equally privileged to work with clients who value diversity, and to be able to mentor other women as they create their own paths in the field of IP. Thank you to WIPR for bringing gender diversity in IP to the forefront, and congratulations to all of the Influential Women in IP and the Trailblazers.

I am confident that together we can lift each other up and continue to make the area of IP a dynamic, exciting and rewarding field in which to work.