Introducing the Social Impact Americas Awards' inaugural judges panel

As the legal profession continues to evolve, the emphasis on social impact initiatives and inclusion has never been more critical. This year, the Legal Benchmarking Group (LBG) is proud to introduce the inaugural Social Impact Awards, designed to celebrate and recognise law firms that are at the forefront of championing diversity and inclusion within the industry.

To ensure the highest standards of excellence and fairness in our selection process, we have assembled a distinguished panel of judges for the Americas. Each judge brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective on social impact initiatives that drive diversity and inclusion in the legal sector.

Annmarie Dixon-Barrow, OBE has spent more than three decades delivering effective, practical diversity solutions that make a real difference. She has created powerful, diverse networks stretching across multiple sectors, industries and regions and is regarded as one of the leading experts in diversity. Dixon-Barrow specialises in developing innovative programmes to assist diverse professionals into jobs commensurate with their qualifications. She has sat on several boards, including the Open University, Camden ITEC, the London Academy for Music and Dramatic Art, and The League of Mercy. She was awarded an OBE for her outstanding work in this field. Her company, Annmarie Consulting, is a leading provider of cutting-edge recruitment, tailored strategy and senior counsel designed to leverage diverse leadership, fresh talent and global networks. She works with a wide range of senior leaders in the private, public and voluntary sectors, delivering bespoke solutions that are practical, effective and engaging.

Michael Coston is the founder and CEO of Coston Consulting, a certified Black-owned business advisory firm that specialises in helping law firms advance their business generation, professional development, and culture goals. The firm’s partners and professionals include former chief marketing officers, business development executives, and DEI experts who collaborate to offer clients a unique multidisciplinary approach to address their most significant business needs. Coston is recognised among  Lawdragon’s '100 Global Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting' and the 'Top 100 Most Influential African Americans Leaders in Business' by The National Diversity Council. He also received a 'Black Leadership Award' from Profiles in Diversity Journal. Coston holds a master’s degree in intercultural and interpersonal communication and bachelor’s degrees in Africana/Black Studies and in English from the University at Albany, along with a certification in Fostering Inclusion & Diversity from the Yale School of Management. He was awarded a 2020 Gold Hermes Creative Award for his article 'Walking the Walk—How Law Firms Can Fight Racial Injustice,' which was published in Bloomberg Law.

Roselyn Cason-Marcus has more than two decades of experience in executive level talent attraction, leadership assessment and coaching in professional services. Cason-Marcus joined McKinsey & Company eight years ago to build and lead the firm's global partner recruiting function. Her role expanded to include affinity senior hiring, focusing on increasing multi-diverse representation at the firm's leadership level. As McKinsey’s global director, senior hiring and affinity, she is committed to ensuring that the firm is a place where distinctive, diverse executives feel welcome and can thrive. Additionally, Cason-Marcus is on the board of Arms Around the Child, a charity focused on supporting HIV-positive children living in extreme circumstances in Africa and India. She is also in the Leadership Circle of Women for Women International, a charity which supports over 500,000 women in conflict-affected countries. A passionate art lover and collector, Cason-Marcus is on the 2024 patron board for the Venice Biennale.

Sarah Weekes is senior legal counsel at Delinian, a global B2B information-services business and the parent company of LBG. Weekes works on complex commercial contracts, intellectual property portfolios, and M&A concerns for the company. She plays a key role in legal matters across all of Delinian’s brands, with a keen eye for commercial strategies and business enablement opportunities. She is a critical supporter of mentorship and sponsorship schemes for women, and a champion for change in DEI and work-life balance.

Our judges have evaluated nominations based on several criteria, including the implementation of innovative inclusion programmes, the impact of these programmes on the firm's culture and client relations, and the measurable outcomes achieved.

These inaugural awards aim to highlight and reward the efforts of firms that are leading the charge towards a more inclusive and equitable legal landscape. By celebrating these achievements, we hope to inspire others in the industry to take meaningful steps towards fostering diversity and inclusion.

Stay tuned for the announcement of the award winners and join us on Thursday, June 20 at the Metropolitan Club in New York City to celebrate the law firms that are making a difference. Together, we can create a legal profession that reflects the diversity of the society it serves.

For more information about the Social Impact Awards, please contact Shailyn Tirado, Americas Director of Research.

The Social Impact Awards are a wholly independent awards supported by MIP but run separately from IP Stars research.