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Allstate Names Sidley Austin LLP as First Recipient of Excellence in Diversity Award

ALL | January 25, 2017

PR Newswire

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 25, 2017

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) has presented Sidley Austin LLP with the first Allstate General Counsel's Excellence in Diversity Award, recognizing the law firm that best exemplifies Allstate's commitment to improving diversity in the legal profession.

"Sidley has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to attract, retain and promote diverse attorneys into its leadership ranks, as well as to support attorneys that require flexible work arrangements," said Susie Lees, Allstate's general counsel. "The competition for this first-ever award was robust, making Sidley's achievement especially noteworthy. I thank all of our Premier Law Firms on their efforts to improve diversity in the legal profession, and for helping Allstate to advance this important objective."

The award is open to firms in Allstate's Premier Law Firm Program, a select group of law firms chosen by Allstate's Law & Regulation Department to be the primary providers of legal services for Allstate corporate matters.

Allstate determined the winner by evaluating information from its Inclusive Diversity Scorecard, an assessment of outside counsels based on an annual review of recruiting and retention trends, career advancement of women and other diverse attorneys, staffing of Allstate matters with diverse attorneys, and pipeline efforts to increase diversity, among other factors. Sidley is notable for established initiatives, such as its Enhanced Mentoring Program and Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, as well as for holding senior partners accountable for developing diverse attorneys.

"We are truly honored to receive the first-ever Allstate General Counsel's Excellence in Diversity Award," said Kirk Lipsey, partner with Sidley Austin LLP. "We work hard to promote diversity and inclusion at Sidley, and this recognition by Allstate – a client that is at the forefront of efforts to advance diversity in the legal profession – is an inspiration to everyone at our firm."

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Now celebrating its 85th anniversary as an insurer, Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate^®." Allstate agencies are in virtually every local community in America. In 2015, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners gave $36 million to support local communities.