Celebrating
Community

Equal Time recognizes the work we’ve engaged in over the past year, and the stories that inspire us. Under this year’s theme, “Celebrating Community,” we spotlight the people, progress, and purpose that define our firm.

Photo of Randy Mehrberg and Ishan Bhabha

A Message from Our
Co-Managing Partners

Randy Mehrberg and Ishan Bhabha

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Photo of Erin Schrantz and Reid Schar

A Message from Our
committee co-chairs

Erin Schrantz and Reid Schar

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Welcome to Equal Time, our Annual Inclusion and Engagement Report

At Jenner & Block, we are a firm driven by our core values of excellence, collaboration, inclusion, and pro bono service. Our values guide our work, shape our culture, and inspire us to make a meaningful impact on the legal profession.

For over a century, our strength has never been measured on our legal acumen and zealous representation alone—it's been our ability to bring together brilliant minds, each contributing unique perspectives from varied backgrounds that make us better partners to each other, and ultimately, fiercer advocates for our clients.

Equal Time captures the spirit of that commitment.

Sincerely,

Signature of Jim Dandy Mchigan in white on a black background.

Welcome to the 2025 Edition of Equal Time

This year has been a powerful celebration of our firm’s fearlessness, strength, and shared commitment to our values. In the report below, you’ll see how we continue to grow, connect, and uplift one another.

We hope you enjoy this year’s edition of Equal Time

Sincerely,

Close-up of a white signature on a black background.

Recognizing Growth and Leadership

2025 Annual Promotions

This year, we proudly welcomed exceptional lawyers to our partnership and special counsel ranks. These promotions reflect outstanding legal achievement, client dedication, and commitment to our firm’s core values.

Get to Know Our Team

Growing Our Community

Welcoming New and Returning legal leaders

Our community has grown with the addition and return of talented partners, special counsel, and of counsel, who bring fresh perspectives from their experiences beyond Jenner. Each new colleague strengthens our shared commitment to excellence and inclusion.

Meet These Leaders

Hear from our colleagues about what drew them to the firm—and why they choose to stay.

Champion Spotlight

2025 Inclusion and Belonging Champion Awards

Jenner & Block’s Inclusion and Belonging Champion Awards recognize individuals at the firm who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment reflective of the firm’s core values. Partner Keisha Stanford and Associate Director of Coaching and Partner Integration Shannon George were recognized as the 2025 Champions at the third annual awards ceremony on June 12.

Photo of Keisha Stanford

Keisha Stanford

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Shannon George

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The Pathmaker: Keisha’s Decade of Impact

In her decade at Jenner & Block, Keisha has exemplified leadership through action. Beyond her exceptional work in white collar defense, government enforcement, regulatory, and compliance matters, she has been a tireless advocate for inclusion and belonging.

Since joining the firm as an associate in 2015, Keisha has steadily risen through the ranks. Today, she serves as Chair of the firm’s Anti-Corruption and FCPA Practice, maintains an active pro bono practice, and is a role model for lawyers across the firm. Her award-winning representation, including receiving the Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award, underscores that excellence in practice and dedication to inclusion and justice go hand-in-hand.

“In addition to her incredible work for Jenner’s clients, Keisha is dedicated to supporting others—especially junior lawyers—as they navigate their careers,” said Senior Associate Karam Jardaneh, one of Keisha’s nominators. “She helps associates build skills and confidence, and she always leaves the ladder down so others can climb up behind her.”

“Keisha is fearless. She’s an advocate. And she’s brilliant. She’s a champion for everyone she interacts with and uplifts people at every turn,” said Associate Tanner Lockhead, another nominator. “She’s also incredibly generous with her limited time, and for that, I’m deeply grateful.”

 “She’s a true thought partner, especially for young associates trying to find their place at the firm,” continued Tanner. “She gives not only practical and insightful advice, but she also centers the conversation on you: your goals, your purpose, and what brings you joy. That spirit is what draws people to Jenner, and what keeps them here.”

In her own words, Keisha reflects: “I’m a first-generation lawyer. The idea that I’d one day be an equity partner at a major law firm would have been unimaginable to some. There was no parent or relative to call when I was choosing a law school, studying for exams, applying for clerkships, or deciding which firm would be the right professional home.”

“Every phase of my career has taken immense hard work, long hours, and the support of an incredible network of friends, family, and mentors,” continued Keisha. “That’s why I’ve long been committed to supporting associates, because I believe Jenner is a place where lawyers from a broad range of backgrounds can and do succeed. But that success is never automatic. Even for the most well-credentialed lawyers, it takes a village.”

 “It takes time, resources, and investment. It takes senior lawyers willing to walk alongside you, to guide you, to remind you that you deserve to be here.”

Room to Belong, Space to Lead: Shannon’s Coaching Legacy

With two decades at Jenner & Block, Shannon operates at the intersection of leadership and belonging to help lawyers navigate transitions while bringing their authentic selves to our culture of fierce advocacy.

Shannon’s approach is deeply personal and strategic. She fosters genuine connections that help colleagues find their footing and contribute their unique perspectives. Her development of lawyers into future firm leaders helps Jenner build future generations of fearless advocates.

“Shannon’s contributions are vital to Jenner,” said Partner Alexis Bates, who nominated her for the award. “Through one-on-one confidential coaching and counsel, she supports lawyers as they navigate some of the most challenging and formative moments of their careers. She works with people from all backgrounds who are striving to thrive in a high-performing environment. Whether you’re a lateral partner bringing in a major book of business, a former judicial clerk adjusting to private practice, a new parent balancing responsibilities, or a first-generation lawyer navigating a new world, Shannon is there. Her work truly is for everyone.” 

Alexis added, “Inclusion and belonging are lived experiences that define how we show up, stay, and advance in our careers. Shannon brings those values to life every day. She creates an environment where people feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to take risks, and grounded enough to grow, both professionally and personally. That, in turn, strengthens the fabric of our firm.”

Senior Associate Karam Jardaneh, another nominator, echoed this sentiment: “Shannon has shown me and many others that inclusion isn’t just a buzzword. It’s something we live by every day. And it makes us better not only as individuals, but also as teammates.”

“It is Shannon's work that helps to distinguish Jenner as the type of inclusive and supportive environment that makes the firm not only successful as a legal service provider but importantly, a place where attorneys and staff truly feel they belong," shared Special Counsel Ian Moss, a third nominator of Shannon’s.

 “My hope is that this award opens the door for many more after me to ask for what they need, and to seek support and to believe they belong here,” said Shannon. “There is a room at Jenner for your full, authentic self. Not just a room, but a need. Your lived experience, your creative problem solving, the way that you do things, it’s not just welcome, it’s essential to us and an ingredient that makes us what we are. And it’s a basic business imperative.”

Expanding Perspectives

Speaker Series and Trainings

Our 2025 Speaker Series brought thought leaders who challenged us to think differently about advocacy, leadership, and inclusion. Building on our theme of “Celebrating Community,” we created opportunities throughout the year to spotlight Jenner colleagues, host special guests, and explore how connection fosters an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected.

  • Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus and UC Law SF Foundation Chair Joan Williams, founder of the Workplace Bias Interrupters framework, presented strategies for tackling bias across hiring, performance evaluations, promotions, and assignments.

  • A civil rights champion and litigator shared insights from her 25+ years of experience advancing social justice.

  • A representative of the National LGBTQ+ Bar joined Jenner Partner Gail Morse, Associates Chasel Lee, Daniel McCord, and then-Associate (now Partner) Lauren Greene for a roundtable on current challenges and the path forward for LGBTQ+ advocacy.

  • Partner Alex Romain moderated a conversation with Special Counsel Ian Moss and Director of Administration Herb Abercrombie on developing true community throughout our careers.

  • Partners Suedeen Kelly and Julie Shepard joined Partner Lindsey Lusk for a discussion on community and the impact of Women’s History.

  • Former associate Adam Abdel-Mageed moderated a conversation with Special Counsel Ali Alsarraf and Senior Associate Karam Jardaneh exploring the richness of Arab cultures and the evolving impact of these identities.

  • Partners Alison Stein, Sarah Weiss, Terry Truax, and Of Counsel Dan Murray presented an oral history of Jenner’s Jewish community, highlighting instrumental people and events.

  • In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Associate Chasel Lee moderated a conversation with Pro Bono Counsel Nura Maznavi, Associate Kai Luan, and former associate Jeremy Wang about their accomplishments in the Asian American community.

  • Former partner Ben Halbig hosted Partners Howard Suskin, Associate Noah Rosenberg, and former associate Becky Diamond for reflections on LGBTQ+ advocacy history, current inclusion, and future hopes.

  • Partner Joseph Torres moderated an alumni conversation discussing community, inclusion, and collective heritage.

  • The firm hosted a conversation with Judge Victoria Pratt on fostering respect and collaboration in professional environments.

Connection and Community

Jenner’s 13 affinity groups—open to all lawyers and professional staff—strengthen our firm by fostering spaces where colleagues connect, grow, and champion inclusion together.

view our affinity groups

Beyond the Firm: Industry and Community Leadership

Hear from our colleagues about what impact truly means to us, and what sets Jenner & Block apart.

Recognition Across the Industry

Legal Awards and Honors

Our commitment to building a firm where excellent lawyers from all backgrounds build exceptional careers continues to earn recognition across our industry.

  • Gail Morse, Partner

    Recognizes individuals or entities that have demonstrated a commitment to promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession.

  • This prestigious award recognizes a law firm that has had an exceptional year. In collaboration with Perkins Coie, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, Susman Godfrey, Williams & Connolly, Cooley, Clement & Murphy and Munger, and Tolles & Olson.

  • The A-List is an annual ranking of firms operating at the highest level—excelling not just in financial success but across talent, culture, and social responsibility. Jenner & Block ranked No. 4 in the 2025 rankings—a 10-spot leap from 2024.

  • Randy Mehrberg, Co-Managing Partner 

    Honors a firm leader that demonstrates business leadership prowess and notable initiatives and successes around law firm management.

  • Precious Jacobs-Perry, Partner

    Highlights lawyers who have forged ahead with continued strength and resilience in the face of challenging times and circumstances.

  • Honors employers that achieved a top score in the Corporate Equality Index.

  • Illinois Powerhouse: Just one of four firms recognized as an “Illinois Powerhouse” by Law360 in 2025. Prestigious law firms that made the list reflect “not only the work of exemplary firms, but also emerging legal trends in each state.”

    Energy Practice Group of the Year: Named a 2024 Energy Practice Group of the Year by Law360, a distinction that recognizes “the attorney teams behind litigation wins and significant transaction work that resonated throughout the legal industry this past year.”

  • Created by the association’s LGBTQ Division to celebrate those whose work has significantly contributed to improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ people of color.

  • Highlights the capacity of diverse lawyers to move up the ranks in firms, make meaningful contributions, and develop as lawyers.

Our Commitment in Action

Access to Justice and Pro Bono

Jenner & Block’s dedication to fierce advocacy extends to all of our clients–paying and pro bono. This year, our lawyers contributed thousands of pro bono hours, using our skills to advance justice for underserved communities. Read more in the 24th edition of our pro bono report, The Heart of the Matter.

  • 0

    Dollars in free pro bono services provided between 2021-2024

  • 0

    Number of lawyer pro bono hours in 2024

  • 0

    Ranking, nationally and internationally, on the 2025 Scorecard for The American Lawyer

Stories That Shape Us

The Jenner & Block Story Project

Partner Terry Truax sits down with colleagues, alumni, and others connected to the firm to share stories from our century-plus journey. These interviews capture the voices and experiences that make Jenner & Block’s story uniquely ours.

listen to their stories

A message of gratitude from our Chief Inclusion & Engagement Officer Courtney Carter.