Sheppard Mullin Partner Mikela Sutrina Named Co-Chair of Women Lawyers Group
Sheppard Mullin is pleased to announce that partner Mikela Sutrina has been named co-chair of the firm’s Women Lawyers Group (“WLG”). Sutrina replaces former co-chair, Denise Giraudo, a Washington, D.C.-based Labor & Employment partner who will continue her leadership in a new capacity as one of the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group leaders. Jennifer Klein Ayers will continue to serve as co-chair with Sutrina.
The WLG is devoted to providing the firm’s women attorneys with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to achieve their maximum professional potential, taking into account issues of intersectionality and diverse experiences.
Sutrina, a Chicago-based Labor & Employment partner, has been an active member of the WLG since joining the firm as an associate in 2013 and a member of its National Leadership Council. “It’s truly an honor to join Jennifer in leading the Women Lawyers Group at Sheppard Mullin,” she said. “Sheppard Mullin is a place that has longstanding commitment to its support of women and creating meaningful opportunities. I look forward to continuing to help open doors and mentor lawyers early in their careers, discuss challenges and opportunities in our profession, identify new leadership roles within our firm and communities, and celebrate achievements.”
“Sheppard Mullin remains committed to creating real, substantive opportunities and growth for our women lawyers. We are not only committed to raising the bar for our own lawyers, but we also believe in being a leader beyond our walls to impact the broader legal community. We still have more to do, and Mikela will be an excellent steward for the firm,” said Luca Salvi, Sheppard Mullin’s chair.
The WLG is focused on addressing the following pillars of success: (i) strong professional skills, (ii) strategic business development, (iii) leadership and visibility within the firm and externally, (iv) mentoring and relationship building and (v) sponsorship. WLG serves as a vital, powerful, robust and inclusive network, connecting and supporting women across the firm at various stages of their careers and working collaboratively with all of the firm’s attorneys to promote their collective success.