SAN FRANCISCO, CA (November 14, 2013) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, received Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company’s inaugural Legal Excellence Award for Inclusion and Diversity for 2013. The award, created to advance diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, recognizes Nationwide’s business partners who actively engage in promoting a culture of diversity within their respective workplaces. Littler was selected from a group of 28 firms that competed for the award.

“Diversity and inclusion are embedded in Littler’s culture, and to be recognized by Nationwide with this award is a true honor,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, co-managing directors of Littler, in a joint statement. “Our commitment to providing an environment that celebrates and recognizes the importance of diversity at every level of the firm is what continues to make Littler a great place to work.” 

"Nationwide is proud to recognize legal firms like Littler for their demonstrated commitment to diversity," said Pat Hatler, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Governance Officer at Nationwide. “At Nationwide, we believe that the ability to embrace diversity and inclusion and incorporate it into our organizations provides us with a broad skill base from which we realize greater opportunities. The 2013 recipients of the Legal Excellence Awards have realized greater opportunities for their firms/companies and for the legal profession."

Nationwide holds a company-wide commitment to diversity and inclusion, which is part of its overall commitment to professional excellence. The company fosters a culture that prides itself on the rich diversity of its associates and business partners, vendors and suppliers. Nationwide values diverse experiences, ideas, opinions, perspectives and decision-making styles that help deliver exceptional services for the company and its members.

James Oh, member of Littler’s Diversity & Inclusion Council and relationship shareholder for Nationwide in Littler’s Chicago office said, “It is especially gratifying to receive this award from a company that shares Littler’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace and legal community. We thank them for this honor and look forward to a continued successful relationship.”

Littler continues to earn recognition from clients, the media and the legal industry for its innovative diversity initiatives. The following represents a sample of the firm’s numerous diversity accolades, including:

• Earned 100% Corporate Equality Index rating – Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Best Places to Work Survey, 2009–2013
• Named a Best Law Firm for Women – Working Mother magazine, 2008-2009, 2011-2013
• Ranked #3 for Overall Diversity, #3 for Diversity for Women, #2 for Diversity for Disabilities, #2 for Diversity for Minorities and #7 for Diversity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Individuals – 2014 Vault Survey
• Certified Gold Standard – Women in Law Empowerment Forum, 2011–2013
• Recipient of 2012 Starbucks Law & Corporate Affairs Excellence in Diversity Award – Starbucks Coffee Company

About Nationwide

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor’s. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

About Littler Mendelson

Littler is the largest global employment and labor law practice with more than 1,000 attorneys in over 60 offices worldwide.  Littler represents management in all aspects of employment and labor law and serves as a single source solution provider to the global employer community. Consistently recognized in the industry as a leading and innovative law practice, Littler has been litigating, mediating and negotiating some of the most influential employment law cases and labor contracts on record for over 70 years.  Littler is the collective trade name for an international legal practice, the practicing entities of which are separate and distinct professional firms. For more information visit:  www.littler.com.