Vinson & Elkins Selects Counsel and Associates for Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Initiatives

Michelle Arishita, a commercial & business litigation counsel in Vinson & Elkins’ Austin office, joins more than 450 mid-career LCLD Fellows from across the United States identified as talented, diverse attorneys from law firms and in-house legal departments. The LCLD Fellows Program is one of the most comprehensive legal talent programs in the country, designed to help develop and advance the next generation of leaders in the profession.

Joining the LCLD Pathfinder Program this year from Vinson & Elkins along with the 460 other Pathfinders from across the country is senior associate Mariam Boxwala, a mergers & acquisitions and private equity lawyer, and associate Briana Falcon, an intellectual property lawyer, both in the firm’s Houston office. The Pathfinder program provides mentoring and training to early-career attorneys in critical career development strategies, including foundational leadership and building professional networks.

“LCLD brings together attorneys from law firms and in-house legal departments to create lasting relationships as future leaders in the legal industry,” said Vinson & Elkins partner Quentin Smith, a member of the firm’s Diversity Executive Committee. “I’m proud that Vinson & Elkins has supported this inclusive professional community since its inception as a charter member of LCLD.”

The selected Fellow and Pathfinders will be challenged to enhance their professional brands, build professional relationships, participate in corporate learning experiences and sharpen leadership skills throughout these year-long programs.

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a national organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. In 2020, Vinson & Elkins received the organization’s Top Performers Award for its commitment to diversity. In 2022, the firm’s Executive Committee pledged its commitment to the LCLD’s Leaders at the Front Initiative.

Prior Vinson & Elkins LCLD Fellows and Pathfinders include Rafael Alvarado, Desiree Baca, Manuel Berrelez, Conrad Bolston, Yong Eoh, Patrick Gadson, Victoria Godfrey, Rob Landicho and Quentin Smith.