Dentons, the world’s largest law firm, announced that lawyers Uchenna Ekuma-Nkama, Katie Jacobs, Juliana Plawecki, Catharine Luo and Michael Mercurio have been selected to participate in two development programs of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), which are designed to identify, train and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal field.

Ekuma-Nkama, Jacobs and Plawecki and were selected for the 2020 class of LCLD Fellows, which connects high-potential mid-career lawyers with general counsel and managing partners from preeminent organizations for a year-long, multi-tiered professional development series. As Fellows, they will participate in conferences, training in the fine points of legal practice, peer-group projects to foster collaboration and build relationships, and exclusive networking opportunities from LCLD’s top leadership.

Luo and Mercurio will join the 2020 class of LCLD Pathfinders, which provides high potential early career lawyers with practical tools for developing and leveraging professional networks through relationship-building skills, foundational leadership skills and an understanding of career development strategies, applicable to both in-house and law firm practice. The Pathfinders program will present the pair with intensive in-person training, online experiential learning and opportunities to network with peers and esteemed LCLD Fellows and alumni in small group gatherings.

Jacobs, shareholder and member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, represents clients in commercial litigation, business litigation and business disputes across a variety of industries including; metals, manufacturing, transportation, energy and nonprofit sectors. She counsels clients on Right to Know Law issues related to government contracts, applications to governmental agencies and other third-party agreements with governmental entities.

Plawecki, partner and member of the firm’s Venture Technology and Emerging Growth and Corporate practices, serves as outside general counsel to privately held companies and advises high net worth individuals regarding entrepreneurial investment and succession matters. She represents clients in a variety of industries, including technology, food and beverage, professional services, manufacturing and non-profit public service.

Ekuma-Nkama, a former federal prosecutor, is a senior managing associate and member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice where she focuses on complex commercial litigation, white collar defense and government enforcement investigations. She represents Fortune 100 companies in consolidated class actions and complex fraud cases, and conducts high-stakes investigations for domestic and multinational companies in white collar matters.

Luo, a senior managing associate and member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, represents domestic and international clients in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration.

Mercurio, managing associate, is a member of the firm’s Corporate practice where he works with clients in the distilled spirits, restaurant, hotels and hospitality, insurance, health, manufacturing and banking industries. His experience involves mergers and acquisitions, real estate and finance transactions, alcoholic beverage licensing and compliance, corporate governance and other corporate, commercial and contractual matters.

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a growing organization of more than 320 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. The LCLD Fellows Program, which has trained more than a 1,600 mid-career lawyers since 2011, is one of LCLD’s most important initiatives. For more information, visit www.lcldnet.org.

About Dentons

Dentons is the world's largest law firm, delivering quality and value to clients around the globe. Dentons is a leader on the Acritas Global Elite Brand Index, a BTI Client Service 30 Award winner and recognized by prominent business and legal publications for its innovations in client service, including founding Nextlaw Enterprise, Dentons’ wholly owned subsidiary of innovation, advisory and technology operating units. Dentons' polycentric approach, commitment to inclusion and diversity and world-class talent challenge the status quo to advance client interests in the communities in which we live and work. www.dentons.com