Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is pleased to announce that Michelle W. Cohen has been named the Firm’s first Chief People, Diversity and Professional Development Officer. In her new position, Ms. Cohen will lead the development and execution of the Firm’s Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, and Professional Development strategies.

“We are very fortunate to have Michelle in this critical role,” said Lisa E. Cleary, Patterson Belknap’s Co-Chair and Managing Partner. “She has been and will continue to be instrumental in ensuring that we are setting the highest goals for the Firm and our attorneys, and that we are developing the processes and procedures necessary to achieve those goals. In her new role, Michelle will work closely with Firm leadership to uphold our commitment to making Patterson Belknap the best professional home in New York City, maintaining an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion in which all Firm personnel can thrive.”

Ms. Cohen is now Of Counsel in the Firm’s Litigation department, where she has practiced for the past 12 years. She joined the Firm as a Litigation Associate in 2006 and was promoted to Partner in 2013. In 2016, she was named a “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal, which “recognizes the most promising lawyers ages 40 and under ‘who have established a record of accomplishments and demonstrated that they are top contributors to the practice of law and their communities.’”

Ms. Cohen stated: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to draw on my 12 years of experience as an Associate and Partner at the Firm to help build upon and improve our HR, Diversity, and Professional Development strategies and programs. Patterson Belknap is a very special place to practice law, and I look forward to working to ensure that we continue to recruit and develop a diverse and collaborative population of attorneys and staff to provide the highest quality legal advice and service to our clients.”

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP is a New York City based law firm with approximately 200 lawyers. The Firm is included on The American Lawyer’s 2018 “A-List” of the 20 leading law firms in the United States. Patterson Belknap delivers a full range of litigation and commercial law services. For more information, please visit www.pbwt.com.