Maureen Alston, managing partner of Harter, Secrest & Emery, has been given the 2007 Champion of Diversity Award from the Rochester Black Bar Association for her work in attracting and retaining attorneys of color. The award was presented at the organization's annual scholarship banquet in downtown Rochester on Sept. 14.

Under her leadership, the firm has developed and adopted a fully integrated strategic plan and launched a number of primary initiatives. Maureen has made ensuring diversity in the firm's workforce a high priority. She has been has instrumental in implementing several new programs including the establishment of a Diversity Scholarship Program at Cornell Law School, participation in the minority clerkship program of the Monroe County Bar Association, and enhancing the firm's longtime association with the Rochester City School District's Marshall High School Law Academy.

n her role as managing partner, Maureen provides leadership and direction to the firm's 120-plus attorneys and more than 200 staff members that comprise the region's most dynamic corporate law firm. She oversees HSE's four-office operations, working closely with the Management Committee and senior staff to provide operational support in human resources, finance, marketing, records management, and information technology.

The firm's collaborative environment also provides significant opportunities and benefits to HSE's associates, giving them access to clients and to challenging work at an early moment in their careers. Associates understand and appreciate this difference, as evidenced by HSE's ranking as #1 in the nation for the prior three years in The American Lawyer survey of associate satisfaction.