AWARDS, ACCOLADES AND RECENT SUCCESSES
Firm Client Toyota North America Selected Chambers’ 2021 Diversity & Inclusion Award Winner
Holland & Knight client Toyota North America has been honored as the Outstanding Company for Furthering Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) at the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2021. The firm nominated Toyota North America for the award earlier this year. This is a significant example of how Holland & Knight is able to deepen client relationships based on shared D&I values. Toyota North America was recognized because it doesn’t just expect excellence in D&I from its law firms but also works to ensure its own commitment to diversity is evident throughout the organization. The company values diverse teams and requires its outside legal counsel to demonstrate actionable steps toward advancing D&I, asking for detailed reports on how firms staff every matter (including the diversity makeup of the team and its leadership, as well as how business credits are awarded). Partners Mark Goldschmidt (DEN), Kwamina Williford (WAS), Judy Mercier (ORL) and Tiffani Lee (MIA), along with Business Analytics and Diversity Manager Hamlet Bonilla (OPC) assisted in the Chambers nomination submission. Toyota Financial Services is serviced by a committed team of Holland & Knight lawyers, including Partners Da’Morus Cohen (MIA), Carter 13
Burgess (JAX), Ashley Shively (SFO) and Mark Francis (NYC), Associates Justin Dixon (JAX) and Courtney Oakes (FTL), Staff Attorneys Karin Oko, Wes Ridout and Gina Bulecza (all JAX), as well as Paralegals Jennifer Vonderheide (JAX) and Dacia Owen (DEN). Toyota was shortlisted for the award along with other wellrespected companies in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space, such as Bank of America, General Motors and McDonald’s. Toyota was announced as the winner on June 17.
Marilyn Holifield
Lisa Kpor
Mark Melton
Holland & Knight and three of its attorneys also were shortlisted for the awards, which honor the legal profession’s true diversity and inclusion pioneers. The firm was a finalist in the Outstanding Firm for D&I category. In addition, three attorneys were finalists for individual honors: Partner Marilyn Holifield (MIA) for Outstanding Contribution, Associate Lisa Kpor (CHI) as Future Leader and Partner Mark Melton (DFW) as Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.
