More than 50 of the firm’s women partners and senior associates will be a part of the organization. Michael P. Kelly, chairman of McCarter & English’s executive committee, explained the move in a statement.
“McCarter is fully committed to the career development of its women attorneys; it is a priority,” Kelly said. “85 Broads will offer McCarter’s senior women attorneys’ invaluable opportunities to grow and sustain their legal practices by working with and learning from other like-minded women who have achieved distinction in their respective fields.”
85 Broads president Kelly Hoey welcomed the new additions while explaining the organization’s role.
“85 Broads is a multigenerational global network of ambitious, intelligent women who want to inspire each other to succeed and who passionately believe in the value of investing in smart women,” Hoey said. “I see these characteristics in the many women of McCarter and look forward to their contributions.”
Member of 85 Broads includes the likes of investment bankers, lawyers, educators, venture capitalists, hedge fund managers, athletes, scientists and doctors among others. The organization has members in 82 countries around the world that work for more than 3,500 for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations.
Stephanie Cohen, a partner in McCarter’s Newark office and member of the Women’s Initiative Steering Committee cited the need for networking in today’s tough economic climate that led to the move.
“Business development is more important than ever,” Cohen said. “Partnering with 85 Broads will allow our women attorneys to build key relationships, which, in turn, will strengthen their ability to become firm leaders as well as enhance their own personal social and community development skills.”
McCarter & English was founded more than 160 years ago and has 400 attorneys based in offices in Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Stamford and Wilmington.
