Taft is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys were recognized at Taft’s 2018 Attorney Retreat for their significant contributions to the firm with the following awards:

• Shattered Glass Award
• Robert A. Taft Service and Leadership Award
• Taft Legacy Award

Taft introduced the awards last year during its annual attorney retreat as a way to recognize and honor those who have demonstrated dedication to the advancement of the firm and the legal profession as a whole.

“Taft places great value on the strength of our people, and we have a talented team dedicated to the betterment of our clients, our communities, our firm and each other.  These awards were created to recognize the individuals who truly exemplify the values that are important to Taft,” said Taft’s Chairman and Managing Partner Robert J. Hicks.

Following are the award categories, honorees and award descriptions.

Shattered Glass Award

Recipient: Kathryn Kovitz Arnold (Partner, Chicago)

The Shattered Glass Award is awarded to a Taft attorney — regardless of gender — who advances inclusiveness, actively works to break down barriers, and elevates the respect, involvement and leadership of women attorneys in the firm.

As a partner and firm-wide chair of Taft’s Real Estate and Condominium groups, Kathryn Kovitz Arnold has played a key role in shaping the landscape of many of Chicago’s neighborhoods. She was named to the 2017 Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame by Midwest Real Estate News magazine, as one of only 90 professionals from across the Midwest selected for this honor. 

“I am so proud to be part of this amazing organization that empowers and supports all of its employees without respect to gender,” commented Arnold.

Robert A. Taft Service and Leadership Award

Recipient: Barbara A. Duncombe (Partner, Indianapolis / Dayton)

The recipient of the Robert A. Taft Service and Leadership award epitomizes the true ideals of what it means to be a Taft partner through his or her dedicated efforts, service and leadership.

Since joining the firm in 2009, Barbara A. Duncombe has played transformative roles in shaping Taft through her service on the firm’s executive committee. Most recently, Duncombe led a taskforce to convert the firm from a two-class partnership, which had been in place for 25 years, to a one-class partnership structure.

“Having practiced in other firms, I can honestly say Taft is different. This firm values its people,” said Duncombe. “It has been my privilege to be able to serve and support my colleagues and the firm. To be recognized for giving back to a firm which has given me so much is amazing.”

Taft Legacy Award

Recipients: Tracy N. Betz (Partner, Indianapolis) and Sonya S. Jindal (Partner, Columbus / Cincinnati)

This award is bestowed upon the Taft employee who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the firm, resulting in an overall positive impact on the legacy of Taft. Tracy N. Betz and Sonya S. Jindal have been pivotal in the firm’s efforts to advance opportunities for women attorneys at Taft.

“It has been an honor and privilege for Tracy and I to co-chair the Gender Advancement Committee and to have the opportunity to create and implement policies and initiatives that champion the advancement of all attorneys, regardless of gender,” commented Sonya Jindal, partner and co-chair of Taft’s Gender Advancement Committee. “We are excited about the firm’s commitment to integrating women and young talent into the firm’s top leadership, ensuring that all attorneys have access to a modern, flexible and supportive workplace, and adopting family-friendly policies including a generous parental leave policy, a breast milk storage and shipping program, and a backup child and elder care program.”

These new initiatives help Taft achieve its goal of becoming an employer of choice in each of its markets.