Loeb Partners Ann Chen and Kathleen Gersh Honored in 2024 NAWL Rising List

Loeb is pleased to announce that Ann Chen, deputy chair of the firm’s Capital Markets & Corporate department, and Kathleen Gersh, co-chair of the Life Sciences industry practice, have been named to the 2024 National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Rising List. Now in its fourth year, the award recognizes women lawyers in the early or mid-stages of their careers who are "committed to NAWL’s mission by either advancing women in the profession or advocating for women under the law."

Since 1899, NAWL has been empowering women in the legal profession, cultivating a diverse membership dedicated to equality, mutual support and collective success. The Rising List recognition is especially important in highlighting individuals who evoke NAWL’s mission to provide leadership, a collective voice and essential resources to advance women in the legal profession and advocate for the equality of women under the law.

Ann serves as co-chair of Loeb’s Women’s Affinity Group in the Los Angeles office and helps the group administer formal and informal initiatives to support the success and advancement of women at the firm. She is also an active member of the Los Angeles office's Pro Bono Committee and has consistently maintained an active pro bono docket each year, from providing guidance to adoptive parents in pro bono adoption case and helping refugees secure asylum in the U.S. to assisting pro bono partner Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, among others. As an Asian American woman herself, Ann is an active member and participant of Loeb’s Attorneys of Color and Ethnic Diversity (ACED) Affinity Group and has continuously worked towards the advancement of BIPOC lawyers since joining the firm.

Kathleen co-chairs the New York office's Women’s Affinity Group, working closely with her fellow co-chairs and the firm's Diversity team to spearhead initiatives that foster professional and social support for women within Loeb. She played a pivotal role in introducing nonprofit organizations like White Ribbon Alliance, Book Trust, Same Sky Foundation and PERIOD to Loeb, which all support the advancement of young women and other youth across the globe. In her role as co-chair of the Women's Affinity Group in New York, Kathleen serves as a guide to her fellow co-chairs, having held the position for the longest period and being one of the earliest members to join the firm. In addition, her involvement with external organizations such as the Women In Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) and NAWL underscores her advocacy for women's equity and advancement in the legal industry.

To view the full list of honorees, please visit NAWL's website.