NEW YORK, August 23, 2021: Morgan Lewis Chief Engagement Officer Amanda Smith has been recognized by Corporate Counsel as part of its 2021 Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) Awards, which honor general counsel, in-house leaders, and law firm partners who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law. Amanda is one of six honorees recognized for achievements in the Collaborative Leadership—Law Firm category.
“Amanda was part of the inspiration for our creation of the role of Chief Engagement Officer. Through the years and her many responsibilities at Morgan Lewis, Amanda has embodied the spirit of engagement that is essential to the success of any organization,” Firm Chair Jami McKeon said. “She is an inspirational and innovative leader who has prioritized connection, collaboration, and inclusion as the underpinnings of everything we do at the firm.”
Amanda was appointed as the firm’s first chief engagement officer in 2019—a global position that ensures the workplace experience, for all employees, is consistent with the firm’s unique and inclusive culture. In addition to designing and implementing the firm’s engagement programming, Amanda supports all firm personnel by directing the Associate Talent, Diversity & Inclusion, Well-Being, Community Engagement, and Pro Bono teams. She is also serving as chair of the board of directors of the Morgan Lewis Foundation, as well as a member of the board of the National Veterans Legal Services Program and the National Center for Access to Justice.
As further demonstration of how engagement is embedded in the firm’s culture, Morgan Lewis created a multifaceted racial justice Mobilizing for Equality task force to fight against systemic inequalities; enhanced our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by including two-track mentorship and sponsorship programs, establishing new affinity networks, creating additional allyship training, formalizing more pipeline recruiting initiatives, and adding benefits to help all thrive; and continued the expansion of the firm’s ML Well curriculum to host programs designed to support employees who may be facing mental health effects from the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice reckoning.
Amanda and fellow honorees are set to be recognized at an awards dinner on October 7 as part of Corporate Counsel’s WIPL Conference in Washington, DC.