It’s nice to win awards. But it’s even better to be part of a firm that is committed to the tough and rewarding work required to earn them. While we’ve been fortunate to receive positive notice, our clients and employees are the true beneficiaries of our efforts.
Selected accolades by type
Diversity | Legal Practice Excellence |
Pro Bono and Community Leadership | Workplace Excellence
Diversity
For the fourth consecutive year, Carlton Fields received a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, which rates businesses according to their treatment of LGBT employees, consumers, and investors.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Vault Guide to the Top Law Firms ranked Carlton Fields No.1 nationally in the categories of “Overall Diversity,” “Diversity for Women,” and “Diversity for Minorities.” Vault provides inside information on careers with thousands of companies in dozens of industries. Its 2013 survey of the nation’s 166 largest law firms also ranked Carlton Fields No. 2 in the category of “Diversity with Respect to LGBT Issues," No. 5 in the “Informal Training” category, and among the top 25 U.S. law firms in categories related to selectivity, transparency, associate and partner relations, training, pro bono legal services, best summer associate program, best firm to work for, green initiatives, and culture.
In 2011, Equality Florida presented Carlton Fields with its inaugural Corporate Voice of Equality Award, which recognizes area businesses that are making a difference in promoting workplace diversity.
Carlton Fields appeared on MultiCultural Law’s 2012 Top 100 Law Firms for Diversity list. The ranking is based on a survey, completed by 200 firms nationally, that looks at minority and women shareholders and associates as a percent of the total number of attorneys.
Carlton Fields was ranked No. 22 overall on the Minority Law Journal’s 2012 Diversity Scorecard.
In 2008, Carlton Fields’ President and CEO Gary Sasso was a recipient of the CEO Diversity Leadership Award from Diversity Best Practices, an organization devoted to diversity thought leadership. The award recognizes champions of corporate diversity for their exemplary leadership, and innovative and positive responses to demographic shifts in the global workforce and marketplace.
Legal Practice Excellence
In 2012, 12 of the firm’s practices and 43 of its attorneys were ranked among the top in Georgia, Florida, and nationally by Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Business Lawyers. The following firm practices were ranked No. 1:
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Construction (for the ninth consecutive year)
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Insurance (for the seventh consecutive year)
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White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (for the fourth time)
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Products Liability/Mass Torts (for the fifth time)
Additionally, these Carlton Fields’ practices received top rankings:
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Antitrust
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Bankruptcy/Restructuring
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Corporate/M&A
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Environmental
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Health Care
- Litigation (general commercial)
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Litigation (appellate)
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Private Equity
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Real Estate
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Tax
Carlton Fields was chosen as a “Go-To Law Firm” in the areas of Litigation and Labor & Employment by firm clients in a recent survey of the Top 500 U.S. companies conducted by Corporate Counsel magazine. The firms selected by Corporate Counsel make up less than one-half of one percent of the world’s law firms.
In 2012, 102 Carlton Fields attorneys are included in Florida Super Lawyers, and four are included in Georgia Super Lawyers.
Florida Trend magazine’s peer-selected 2012 Florida Legal Elite included 22 Carlton Fields attorneys. As a group, they comprise the top two percent of lawyers practicing in Florida. Of the Carlton Fields attorneys chosen, four were also recognized on the Legal Elite Hall of Fame list, and two were listed as “Up-and-Comers.”
More than 150 Carlton Fields attorneys have received the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a lawyer peer review rating system that evaluates lawyers and law firms in the U.S. and Canada for ethical standards and legal ability.
Carlton Fields made The National Law Journal’s inaugural “Midsize Hotlist” in 2009. The list recognizes the 20 best midsized U.S. law firms (50-300 attorneys). The National Law Journal chose firms that demonstrated “creative, innovative strategies to stay competitive.” The firms applied those strategies to recruit and retain top talent, develop practice areas, manage operations, and position themselves for success in the face of economic challenges.
Pro Bono and Community Leadership
Carlton Fields received the 2011 John Edward Smith Outstanding Law Firm annual award from Lawyers for Children America, Inc. (LFCA). Our attorneys provide pro bono services to LFCA’s minor clients, and the firm sponsors LFCA training programs that help recruit and train attorneys to do the same.
Carlton Fields was honored with the 2011 Thirteenth Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Service Award for outstanding pro bono service to the poor in Hillsborough County.
South Florida Business Journal awarded Carlton Fields the 2006 Business of the Year Award in the category of Legal Services over $25 million. The award is presented to a business that demonstrates concern for its employees, community involvement, and economic growth.
Carlton Fields received the 2003 Chief Justice Law Firm Commendation Award from the Florida Supreme Court in recognition of its significant pro bono services contributions to individuals and groups.
In 2002, President Bush honored Carlton Fields for its work with the Miami Law Project, which helps former welfare recipients receive employment training and experience for law firm staff positions.
In 1995, we received the National Public Service Award from the ABA’s Business Law Section in recognition of our significant pro bono legal services to the poor.
Workplace Excellence
In 2011, Carlton Fields was named one of Tampa Bay’s Top Work Places by the St. Petersburg Times.
In 2010, Carlton Fields ranked 29th nationally in The American Lawyer’s Mid-Level Associate Survey. Rankings are based on surveys of mid-level associates in 180 top U.S. firms.
In 2009, Florida Trend magazine named Carlton Fields one of the Best Companies to Work For in Florida. The firm ranked No. 13 in the large company category. As part of the selection process, Florida Trend surveyed companies and their employees on workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics. Factors considered included employee training, communication, and pay and benefits.
