Second Annual Diversity Leadership Awards Recognizes Indiana Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. and the Coca-Cola Company Legal Division

CHICAGO, March 2, 2010 — Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. and the Coca-Cola Company Legal Division are the recipients of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation’s 2010 Diversity Leadership Award.  The awards will be presented to them during the section’s annual conference in New York City on April 21 at the Welcome & Outreach Reception, 6 – 7:30 p.m. in the Trianon Complex at the New York Hilton Hotel.

“This year’s recipients have proven their commitment to diversity through long-standing efforts to make a difference in improving the opportunities for all,” said Section Chair Lorna Schofield of New York. “The Section of Litigation applauds their efforts to make our profession more welcoming, inclusive, and truly representative of the population we serve. Their efforts leave a lasting impression on all of us to make diversity a priority.”

The award was established in 2008 to recognize those individuals or organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession through proactive encouragement and inclusion of women, people of color, persons with disabilities and persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities in the profession. The inaugural award was presented in 2009 to Nolan N. Atkinson Jr. of Philadelphia.

Justice Frank Sullivan Jr., appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1993, has shown conviction and passion to making a difference in improving the opportunities for minorities in the judicial system.  He has become an inspirational role model for others to follow in his footsteps. Through his efforts, the Indiana courts have made great strides in assuring that the justice system reflects the people it serves.

Coca-Cola’s Legal Division has demonstrated exemplary leadership through its sustained commitment to diversity in its employment practices through developing and implementing a successful plan and its proactive efforts to providing increased opportunities for diverse lawyers.

For more information on the recipients and the award visit the section’s Web site at www.abanet.org/litigation/diversity/award.html.

The ABA Section of Litigation represents about 68,000 lawyers, judges and others involved in all aspects of litigation and the dispute resolution process. It is the national voice for litigators and a leader in advocating improvements in the justice system.  The section provides tools and resources to assist lawyers to be better litigators as they serve their clients. It offers opportunities for growth, learning and networking through its professional communities. Its activities reflect and support the commitment of its members to a strong, diverse ad vibrant profession, a fair and accessible justice system, and the continuing obligation to achieve both through a wide range of pro bono activities.

With nearly 400,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.

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Editors Note: Reporters are welcome to attend the award presentation and reception at the Section Annual Conference. Media credentials can be obtained by contacting Debbie Weixl, ABA Division for Media Relations and Communication Services, at 312/988-6126 or e-mail weixld@staff.abanet.org.  On site, call 847/902-9019. For more information on the conference visit www.abanet.org/litigation/sectionannual.