Gibbons Promotes Five Women to Director and Counsel Positions

Gibbons has made history by elevating five women attorneys, two of whom are part-time, to Director and Counsel positions within the firm. Lan Hoang, Jennifer Hradil, and part-time attorney Susan Nardone, all resident in the firm’s Newark office, have been named Directors. Debra Clifford, resident in the Newark office, and part-time attorney Jennifer Gelshenen, resident in the New York office, have been named Counsel to the firm.

“The promotion of these five outstanding attorneys is not only a testament to the firm’s commitment to the advancement of women attorneys, but also demonstrates how important women and their contributions are to the overall success of this law firm.” says Patrick C. Dunican, Jr., Managing Director of the firm. “Jennifer, Lan, Susan, Debra and Jennifer, as well as all of our women attorneys, make our firm stronger and better because of their strong leadership, outstanding accomplishments and commitment to excellence.”

With its commitment to the development, advancement and support of women attorneys, Gibbons maintains a strong presence of women within the management and executive levels of the firm. Currently, the firm has 36 women associates and 22 women directors and counsel. In addition, since 1997, the firm has supported the work of the Gibbons Women’s Initiative, an important platform for new and seasoned women attorneys to participate side-by-side with colleagues from other practice areas and offices of the firm, and with firm clients and contacts. Clearly, the work of the Gibbons Women’s Initiative has helped to increase the number of women in leadership positions within the firm.

The firm’s 15 women Directors and 7 women Counsel hold important leadership positions at the firm, serve as mentors for younger women lawyers and have gained recognition for their professional and community achievements. Three of the firm’s nine departments are headed by women. In addition, the firm’s Chief Operating Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Benefits, and Director of Marketing are all women.

The promotion of Susan Nardone and Jennifer Gelshenen showcases the opportunities and support available to part-time attorneys within the firm. The Gibbons “family-friendly” policy, which was implemented in 1997, encourages women to resume their legal careers after having children, and work first on a 60% basis of the hours expected of a full-time attorney per year, and later on an 80% basis of the hours expected of a full-time attorney per year.

“Gibbons is committed to supporting part-time attorneys at every level at the firm and providing the flexibility that is necessary when juggling the demands of work and family. The promotion of Susan Nardone to Director and Jennifer Gelshenen to Counsel clearly demonstrates the importance we place on helping women attorneys achieve their career goals while maintaining a healthy work/life balance,” says Christine A. Amalfe, Chair of the Employment Law Department and Gibbons Women’s Initiative Executive Council member. “It is very important that we encourage talented women attorneys to stay in the practice of law and that we continue to develop ways to assist them in both their career and family endeavors. Clearly, Gibbons and our clients directly benefit from the involvement of talented and experienced women attorneys.”