Detroit Regional Chamber > Member News > McGiffert named among ‘2021 Most Influential Black Lawyers’

McGiffert named among ‘2021 Most Influential Black Lawyers’

September 8, 2021
Plunkett Cooney partner and Director of Diversity & Inclusion Laurel F. McGiffert was recently named one of the “2021 Most Influential Black Lawyers” by Savoy magazine.

McGiffert was appointed the firm’s first Director of Diversity & Inclusion in 2018 by Plunkett Cooney President & CEO Thomas P. Vincent. She is responsible for helping create a more diverse and inclusive workforce at the firm. These efforts include, but are not limited to, recruiting and hiring of more diverse candidates, and implementing strategies to retain our talented professionals and support staff.

McGiffert, who graduated from Vassar College in 1970 and Wayne State University Law School in 1980, joined the firm in 1989 and became a partner in 1991. Prior to undertaking her current role, her nearly 40-year legal career included the defense of clients in civil litigation involving employment law, medical malpractice, general liability and municipal liability.

According to Savoy magazine, a national publication covering the power, substance and style of the African American lifestyle, its annual list is comprised of the “best of the best” black lawyers who are partners in leading national law firms and corporate counsel for Fortune 1000 corporations. McGiffert was selected to be featured in the September edition based on criteria related to her success as a trial attorney, prominence of law firm, position, respect among peers, contributions as a speaker/writer and community outreach efforts.

A member of the firm’s Medical Litigation, Employment Law and Governmental Law practice groups, McGiffert remains active in various bar and professional organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Wolverine, Detroit Metropolitan and Oakland County bar associations. She also serves as a member of the boards of directors for the Oakland Mediation Center and Power Company Kids Club.

McGiffert is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the 2017 Earl J. Cline/Sherwin Schreier Award for Excellence from the Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan and the 2012 Respected Advocate Award from the Michigan Association for Justice. McGiffert is an AV-preeminent rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, and she has been named for multiple years as a Best Lawyer in America, a Michigan Super Lawyer and a Dbusiness magazine Top Lawyer. Crain’s Detroit Business named McGiffert to its 2017 list of Notable Women in the Law in Michigan, and she received “Hall of Fame” and “Women in the Law” honors from Michigan Lawyers Weekly in 2021 and 2015, respectively.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney is a leading provider of transactional and litigation services to clients in the private and public sectors. The firm employs approximately 150 attorneys in seven Michigan cities, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. Plunkett Cooney has achieved the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading, international directory of law firms.

For more information about Laurel McGiffert’s selection as a Savoy magazine Influential Black Lawyer, contact the firm’s Director of Marketing & Business Development John Cornwell at (248) 901-4008 or via email at jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

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