Also reported in: Bloomberg Law, NJBiz, NJ Law Journal
The law firm Bressler, Amery & Ross today announced that Lauren Fenton-Valdivia has been named its new Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Ms. Valdivia, who was promoted to principal on January 1, joined the firm’s Business and Commercial Litigation group in 2014 in the firm’s Florham Park office. She is now based in the Fort Lauderdale office and continues to litigate and serve as trial counsel in high-stakes litigation in New York and New Jersey. The leadership change aligns with Bressler’s practice to rotate firm leadership positions to ensure business continuity and the firm’s focus on developing leaders with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
“Greater diversity and inclusion are one of the key goals in Bressler’s strategic business plan,” said Bressler Managing Principal Frank Cuccio. “As Diversity Chair, Lauren will continue to work closely with the firm’s leadership on strategic diversity initiatives, programming and special events, career development and advancement programs and ongoing community outreach,” he said.
“I am honored to step into the role as new Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee,” said Ms. Valdivia. “I am excited to help Bressler continue to lead the charge in continuing to increase diversity and embrace inclusion in the legal profession. I have seen diversity increase on both a personal and professional level, and I look forward to helping show clients how committed we are on this issue.”
Committed to fostering diversity in the legal profession, Bressler is one of 120 law firm signatories of the New York Bar Association’s Statement of Diversity Principles, which affirms our pledge to achieve diversity targets through specific goal, initiatives and milestones. Bressler is also a member of The Minority Corporate Counsel Association, Inc. (MCCA) and its Law Firm Affiliate Network (FAN) aimed at recognizing and supporting law firms that are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.
“Lauren has worked tremendously hard to distinguish herself in her career,” added Mr. Cuccio, “and has demonstrated a deep commitment to the cause of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, including as a Board member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession Section. We are thrilled Lauren will be leading our efforts.”
To complement the work of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, firm attorneys are encouraged to participate in diverse professional and legal associations including the National Bar Association, the Garden State Bar Association, the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, the Magic City Bar, the State Bar Diversity Committee, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Diversity Committee, the American Bar Association, New York Lawyers in Public Interest and Leading Edge Institute, all of which support diversity and inclusion efforts.
Ms. Valdivia has a diverse litigation practice and represents corporate clients in state and federal court in New Jersey and New York. Her practice includes handling a variety of complex litigation, including commercial disputes, employment litigation, professional liability and environmental matters. She has experience in all stages of litigation, including complex written discovery, fact and expert depositions, and the oral argument of high stakes motions. Ms. Valdivia has served as trial counsel for numerous corporate clients in state and federal court, trying cases to verdict, and in various arbitration proceedings, and has experience in multi-district class action matters.
She received a B.A. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in 2008 and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2011.