Hall Estill Ranked in the Top 10 Nationally for Minority Equity Partners in Law360 Diversity Survey

May 2016

Law 360

Hall Estill, a 50-year law firm with offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, northwest Arkansas, and Denver, was recently recognized for having the seventh highest percentage of minority equity partners in Law360’s list of the 50 Best Firms for Minority Equity Partners. For the second year in a row, Hall Estill is the only Oklahoma law firm to make Law360’s Top 50 list.

Law360 surveyed 308 U.S. firms regarding their overall and minority head count numbers and then ranked the firms based on the percentage of equity partners who are minorities. Through the survey it was determined minorities make up 23 percent of Hall Estill’s equity partners; more than three times the national average of 7.5 percent.

“This is an extremely meaningful recognition for our firm,” Hall Estill Managing Partner Mike Cooke said. “We strive to create an environment at Hall Estill that attracts and welcomes individuals from all different backgrounds and walks of life and believe this helps make us a better and stronger law firm.”

Even though minorities have comprised at least 20 percent of each graduating law school class since 2002, according to the American Bar Association, only 7.5 percent of law firms have a minority partner. Notably, 35 of the 308 firms surveyed by Law360 reported having no equity partners of color at all. 

“Being a diverse firm is about far more than just being included on a list,” Cooke said. “It is about being able to better serve our clients by bringing unique and diverse viewpoints to our strategy and counsel.”