Brown & James named Agota Peterfy as chair of its Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee. She served as a member of the committee for several years before taking her leadership role.
In her new role, Peterfy will guide the firm through the Mansfield certification process. Designed to increase the number of attorneys from historically underrepresented groups in law firms with 25 to 150 U.S. attorneys, the Midsize Mansfield Rule is a certification administered by Diversity Lab. Historically underrepresented groups for purposes of the Midsize Mansfield Rule include racial/ethnic minority attorneys, female attorneys, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and attorneys with disabilities. The certification requires our firm to consider at least 30 percent historically underrepresented lawyers for 60 percent or more of all hiring searches and openings, partner promotions, firm governance and managing partner roles, and formal client meetings and pitches over the 18-month certification period slated to end in July.
As part of the firm’s celebration of Women’s History Month, Peterfy discussed the most influential woman in her life – her mother. “She was an accomplished career woman, and a devoted mother. She showed me how to be a working parent – although she was ambitious and career-focused, I always felt like my brother and I were the most important things in her life,” said Peterfy. “She always had high expectations of me, and made no apologies for it, which I believe pushed me to do my best. And she has always been extremely kind and caring to people, especially those who were not in positions of power or authority. I hope to emulate her quest for excellence and her resilience under hardships.”
Peterfy practices in the areas of premises and professional liability and toxic tort.