Three Texas-based shareholders at national law firm Polsinelli have been recognized by the National Diversity Council for their experience, leadership and commitment to diversity in the legal industry. Award winners will be recognized in their respective categories during Legal Diversity Week celebrations in Dallas and Houston, Nov. 7-9, 2017.
Polsinelli’s 2017 honorees for the National Diversity Council’s Legal Diversity Week include:
· Gemma Descoteaux – Top 50 Women Lawyers, Dallas
· Suni Sukduang – Top 40 Lawyers Under 40, Houston
· Henry Talavera – Top 50 Multicultural Lawyers, Dallas
“Our firm has worked hard to develop an inclusive environment where employees from all walks of life can thrive personally and professionally,” said Jon Henderson, managing partner of Polsinelli’s Dallas office and chair of the firm’s national Corporate and Transactional practice. “These attorneys are committed to the values of accepting, pursuing and promoting diversity within the workplace. They truly deserve to be honored during Legal Diversity Week and will continue to be an integral part of our firm’s diversity initiatives.”
Established in 2008, the National Diversity Council’s mission is to be both a resource and an advocate for the value of diversity and inclusion. This year, the National Diversity Council celebrates its eighth year by launching Legal Diversity Week to recognize a diverse group of leaders and celebrate diversity in the legal field.
“Polsinelli is built on the foundation of inclusion with the goal of supporting and fostering diversity across the various sectors of our business,” said Greg Novak, managing partner of Polsinelli’s Houston office. “Suni, Gemma and Henry are instrumental in personally representing and spreading the firm’s vision of diversity, and have touched many people’s lives through not only their professional practices, but also through their vital participation in the community as a whole.”
As a shareholder in Polsinelli’s Dallas Corporate and Transactional practice group, Descoteaux is currently serving a three-year term as a member of the firm-wide Compensation Committee, is the liaison shareholder for the firm-wide Women’s Initiative and is co-chair of the Dallas office Recruiting Committee. Additionally, she has undertaken a variety of significant leadership roles in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) business community: most notably, her current role as president-elect of the DFW Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) and as a member of its board of directors. In 2015, ACG DFW selected her to be the chair of Women in ACG DFW, a group that provides an opportunity for ACG members to build up and promote women in the private equity industry, as well as other middle market industries.
Sukduang, Chair of Polsinelli’s Post Grant practice group, played a significant role when noted intellectual property litigation boutique Novak Druce merged with Polsinelli in 2016, creating one of the country’s largest and most premier intellectual property practice groups. Demonstrating leadership excellence in the legal field, Sukduang helped Novak Druce, and subsequently Polsinelli, grow in the Texas legal market and continue providing exceptional service to some of the nation’s most innovative companies. In addition to Sukduang’s dedication to his practice and the overall success of the firm, he demonstrates leadership and commitment to community well-being by working with entities like the Rice Alliance, Houston Angel Network, as well as many other similar entrepreneurial support organizations. His in-depth experience in IP strategy, due diligence and competitive intelligence allows him to guide startup companies through each step of the development process.
A member of Polsinelli’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice group, Talavera exemplifies a noteworthy commitment to fairness, equity, and justice in client representations and professional collaborations. In addition to his newly appointed role on the American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities, Talavera also has been a director for the Dallas Hispanic Bar Foundation, providing scholarships to law students. His commitment to the promotion of diversity in the legal industry has earned him recognition within the Dallas community. Earlier this year, he was selected as a recipient of the Dallas Business Journal’s Minority Business Leaders Award, in recognition of his professional accomplishments and his efforts to make a positive impact throughout the legal profession and local community.
About Polsinelli
Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 20 offices. Ranked #17 for Client Service Excellence1 and #10 for best client relationships2 among 650 U.S. law firms, Polsinelli was also named among the top 20 best-known firms in the nation3. The firm’s attorneys provide value through practical legal counsel infused with business insight, and focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, labor and employment, and business litigation. www.polsinelli.com | Polsinelli PC | In California, Polsinelli LLP
