Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie has received a Special Recognition Award for its commitment to LGBTQ+ youth advocacy in pro bono work.
The Firm was selected in recognition of its partnership with Lambda Legal and the work that has been done to support and advance opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people across the country.
"We are thrilled to receive Stonewall’s Special Recognition Award for our Pro Bono work,” said Angela Vigil, the Firm's Pro Bono Partner and Executive Director, Global Pro Bono. "I am so proud of the whole team, who have worked incredibly hard to keep up the momentum during challenging times, and who have made a significant, positive impact in the lives of so many LGBTQ+ young people.
Stonewall also commented: "These vital legal interventions and civil society support initiatives have demonstrated the power and potential of law firms to use their resources and expertise to challenge discriminatory legislation, uplift local and national LGBTQ+ organisations, and stand up for the community."
In addition to this fantastic achievement, Stonewall have also named Can Sozer, a Partner with Esin Attorney Partnership, member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein, as a recipient of their Changemaker of the Year Award for the 2023 Global Equality Index.
"I am very excited and emotional to receive Stonewall’s Changemaker of the Year Award as a recognition of our efforts in Türkiye for the last decade for inclusion of people from various gender identities and sexual orientations. This is absolutely one the greatest moments in my career and this award will make me even more motivated and stronger to keep moving forward" says Can.
David Palumbo, Chair of Baker McKenzie's Global LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, commented: We are incredibly proud of the work that’s being done across the Firm with respect to LGBTQ+ inclusion and it’s great to see these achievements being recognized via these awards. Can is a changemaker in every sense of the word, and this award is acknowledgement of his bold and unflinching advocacy, to improve the lives of others."
Further information on both awards can be found on the Stonewall website.
The Firm was selected in recognition of its partnership with Lambda Legal and the work that has been done to support and advance opportunities for LGBTQ+ young people across the country.
"We are thrilled to receive Stonewall’s Special Recognition Award for our Pro Bono work,” said Angela Vigil, the Firm's Pro Bono Partner and Executive Director, Global Pro Bono. "I am so proud of the whole team, who have worked incredibly hard to keep up the momentum during challenging times, and who have made a significant, positive impact in the lives of so many LGBTQ+ young people.
Stonewall also commented: "These vital legal interventions and civil society support initiatives have demonstrated the power and potential of law firms to use their resources and expertise to challenge discriminatory legislation, uplift local and national LGBTQ+ organisations, and stand up for the community."
In addition to this fantastic achievement, Stonewall have also named Can Sozer, a Partner with Esin Attorney Partnership, member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein, as a recipient of their Changemaker of the Year Award for the 2023 Global Equality Index.
"I am very excited and emotional to receive Stonewall’s Changemaker of the Year Award as a recognition of our efforts in Türkiye for the last decade for inclusion of people from various gender identities and sexual orientations. This is absolutely one the greatest moments in my career and this award will make me even more motivated and stronger to keep moving forward" says Can.
David Palumbo, Chair of Baker McKenzie's Global LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group, commented: We are incredibly proud of the work that’s being done across the Firm with respect to LGBTQ+ inclusion and it’s great to see these achievements being recognized via these awards. Can is a changemaker in every sense of the word, and this award is acknowledgement of his bold and unflinching advocacy, to improve the lives of others."
Further information on both awards can be found on the Stonewall website.
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