At Jackson Walker, our values stem from our goal of creating a positive impact in all that we do. As our attorneys foster and promote diversity within the Firm and the communities where we live and work, we strive to elevate the legal profession through our efforts to recruit, retain, promote, and celebrate a more diverse and inclusive team.
In recognition of that commitment, the National Diversity Council (NDC) and its local state affiliate, the Texas Diversity Council (TXDC), have recognized five of our attorneys as prominent leaders in the legal community who embody and champion diversity.
Individual DiversityFIRST Leadership Award
Leading up to the NDC’s third annual Houston Legal Diversity Week, TXDC recognized L. Suzan Kedron as the 2019 Individual DiversityFIRST Leadership Award recipient during the Annual Greater Dallas Best Practices and DiversityFIRST Awards Luncheon on October 24, 2019.
Presented annually in conjunction with a series of workshops and breakout sessions discussing best practices in the areas of diversity and inclusion, the DiversityFIRST Leadership Award honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in promoting and advancing diversity through inclusion and strong leadership.
A partner in the Dallas office, Suzan represents real estate developers, land owners, and public entities in a variety of land use and real estate development issues. Prior to practicing law, Suzan obtained her bachelor’s degree in architecture from Columbia College at Columbia University in New York and worked for an architectural firm, concentrating on upper-end residential design and construction for two years before attending law school. She received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law Houston, where she acquired designation as a LEED Green Associate.
Outside of her practice, Suzan is an active leader within the Firm as a member of the Diversity Committee and Business Development Chair for the Dallas office. She has also helped to implement a mentoring program for all incoming attorneys. In addition, she remains deeply involved in civic and community organizations including, the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, Dallas Regional Chamber, Dallas Theater Center, Downtown Dallas Inc., Momentous Institute, The Dallas Assembly, and The Real Estate Council.
Top 50 Women Lawyers
On October 29, 2019, Legal Diversity Week opened with an awards breakfast to honor the Top 50 Women Lawyers in 2019, one of whom included Houston partner Jamila M. Brinson.
In a recent announcement released prior to the Legal Diversity Week, NDC Founder and Chair Dennis Kennedy said, “The 2019 Top 50 Women Lawyers recognizes those that are changemakers working towards equity for all. We are proud of their leadership excellence and commitment to creating pathways for all women’s success.”
To be considered, honorees must have received a high degree of peer recognition for leadership excellence and professional knowledge; exemplified a noteworthy commitment to fairness, equity, and justice in client representations and professional collaborations; maintained a superior level of integrity and dignity across the full spectrum of legal dealings and responsibilities; and demonstrated commitment to helping other women succeed.
A labor and employment and litigation attorney, Jamila partners with clients to proactively shape their workplaces and resolve issues when they arise. Devoted to pro bono service, Jamila coordinates the Firm’s participation in the Houston Young Lawyers Association’s Annual Adopt-an-Angel Program and the Houston Bar Association AIDS Outreach Committee’s Annual Adopt-a-Family Program. She is also certified by the State Bar of Texas as a Guardian Ad Litem and volunteers as a pro bono attorney through Houston Volunteer Lawyers on behalf of parents seeking guardianship of an incapacitated adult child.
Jamila is committed to upholding the principles of diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, actively leading the Houston office’s participation in the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) Pre-Law Pipeline Program. Under her mentorship and involvement in the program, Jackson Walker was honored with the Diversity Champion Award in June 2019. In addition to the UHLC Pre-Law Pipeline Program, Jamila volunteers her time with the West Orem Family YMCA and the National Black Pre-Law Conference and Law School Fair.
National Diversity Council Diversity Champion
In honor of his longtime support of the NDC, Houston partner G. Scott Fiddler was honored with the Diversity Champion Award during the Top 50 General Counsel Dinner on October 30, 2019.
Every year, this award is presented to an individual in the legal community who demonstrates dedication and continuing commitment to advocating for both diversity and inclusion in their workplace; fosters positive communication and actively promoted inter-group relations among persons of different races, ages, ethnic origin, gender, religious backgrounds, or physical and mental abilities; and participates in a variety of corporate and community events that promote mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation, or tolerance.
In his practice, Scott represents clients in wage and hour disputes, wrongful termination, discrimination, and non-compete agreement matters, as well as general labor and employment law. He is board certified in both labor and employment law and civil trial law, placing him among approximately 25 attorneys in Texas board certified in both specialties.
Within the community, Scott serves on the Labor & Employment Law Exam Commission of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and on the boards of directors for the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists and City Life Church. In addition, he is a frequent speaker and counsel for the NDC.
Top 50 Multicultural Lawyers
At an awards breakfast on October 31, 2019, Houston partners Dawn S. Holiday and Wasif Qureshi were honored among the Top 50 Multicultural Lawyers of Houston.
Presented every year, this award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated leadership excellence in the legal field; exemplified a noteworthy commitment to fairness, equity, and justice in client representation and professional collaborations; received a high degree of peer recognition for leadership excellence and professional knowledge; and demonstrated leadership and commitment to community well-being and/or high visibility in the community.
An experienced litigator and trial attorney, Dawn handles a variety of multi-party lawsuits, including employment litigation, commercial litigation, personal injury, professional liability, workers’ compensation, complex civil litigation, and general liability defense. Prior to practicing law, Dawn served as an Articles Editor for South Texas Law Review while working toward her J.D. at the South Texas College of Law, Dawn was an Articles Editor for South Texas Law Review. She continues to serve the law school as a Charter Member of the Black Alumni Chapter.
Outside of her practice, Dawn helps advance equality in the legal profession through her involvement with the Houston Bar Association’s Teach Texas Program, Constitutional Day Reading Program, and Diversity and Inclusion Committee—formerly known as the Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Committee (MOILP). She is also a women’s ministry leader, author, and teacher at Crossover Bible Fellowship and currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Northland Christian School in Houston.
Wasif has over 15 years of experience representing and counseling businesses from start-ups to Fortune 100 and other worldwide companies in various types of IP legal matters, including in over 200 patent litigation matters. At Jackson Walker, Wasif serves on the Diversity Committee to help ensure the Firm promotes equality for all. In this role, he helps direct diversity-related goals and collaborates on best practices for implementing initiatives.
In addition to serving on the Firm’s Diversity Committee, Wasif is the Houston City Chair for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Law School Mentoring Program, which provides talented law students from diverse backgrounds with the mentoring they need to be successful – during law school and afterwards.
