Sheppard Mullin is pleased to announce that Business Trial partner Judy Suwatanapongched has been named co-leader of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Attorney Network (DIAN). Suwatanapongched replaces former co-leader Yvette Mabbun, who will continue to be an active member of DIAN. Lisa Harris, Cedric Powell and Nika Palama will continue to serve as co-leaders with Suwatanapongched.
DIAN is the firmwide affinity group for attorneys of color, serving as a voice to firm leadership on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, including the recruitment, retention and advancement of attorneys of color within the firm and providing opportunities for members to create meaningful connections. DIAN works with firm leadership through the Affinity Group Leadership Committee on strategic initiatives to promote the professional development of attorneys of color at all levels of their careers and supports their progression in external organizations and bar associations.
“I’m excited and honored to accept the role as DIAN’s newest co-leader. The DIAN family has been my inspiration, safe haven and champion for my entire legal career, which began at Sheppard Mullin. I look forward to continuing to cultivate, lead and inspire diverse attorneys while working with firm leadership to continue to drive positive changes,” said Suwatanapongched.
Suwatanapongched began her legal career as a summer associate at Sheppard Mullin, and she was promoted to partner in March 2024. Resident in the firm’s Los Angeles office, she is active in the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community and utilizes her skills to help the AANHPI community at large. In November 2012, she co-founded the Thai American Bar Association, the first organization to support Thai and Thai American legal professionals in the U.S., and served as its founding president. She also helped form the Thai American Samakkee Coalition, a national organization that promotes the unity and interests of Thais and Thai Americans in across the country. Suwatanapongched currently serves on the advisory board of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles, where she has served on the board of governors since 2007 and was past president.
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