MONROE, La., June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL, news, filings) today announced that Kutak Rock LLP has been selected as the law department’s Spirit of Diversity Partner (a program started by Qwest, which was acquired by CenturyLink April 1). This is the third consecutive year the award has been presented by the company’s Diversity Law Committee, which seeks to increase diversity in the legal profession.
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A Spirit of Diversity Partner is the partner law firm that CenturyLink believes best demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity within its firm and within the legal community. CenturyLink hopes to foster greater diversity awareness by honoring the commitment of its Spirit of Diversity Partner.
CenturyLink’s partner law firms completed a survey, which was evaluated by the company, based upon the National Association of Law Placement standards (NALP) and the firms’ diversity activities. The survey included questions about the firm’s demographic profile, as well as activities designed to increase diversity in the profession. Activities could include having a dedicated diversity officer, a formal diversity recruiting and retention program and volunteerism in the community.
Kutak Rock prides itself on implementing, growing and adding innovative diversity initiatives, including the Kutak Rock Diversity Scholarship programs. Kutak Rock and its attorneys actively participate in diversity events and numerous organizations through memberships, attendance at events and/or financial contributions. Kutak Rock diversity initiatives: http://bit.ly/KutakRock
“Diversity is important in all aspects of our business. It makes us a better community partner, a better employer and a better service provider,” said Stacey Goff, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary for CenturyLink. “The Spirit of Diversity Partner program not only represents our values, it assesses the commitment of those we do business with to help create a diverse legal profession.”
In addition to being honored as the CenturyLink Law Department 2010 Spirit of Diversity Partner, a $500 donation will be made to one of CenturyLink’s pro bono recipients in honor of Kutak Rock LLP. The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless will receive the $500 contribution.
“Kutak Rock is honored to be recognized for practicing inclusion and increasing diversity within our law firm with this award from CenturyLink’s Law Department. We strive to make our firm a welcoming place for people from diverse backgrounds and work hard to help them achieve success when they are here,” said Robert D. Irvin, Vice Chair of Kutak Rock LLP and Managing Partner of the Denver office.
As part of the company’s overall commitment to diversity, CenturyLink created the Diversity Law Committee to work toward increasing diversity in the legal profession. The CenturyLink Law Department consistently invests in and supports conferences, works with pro bono clients and seeks opportunities to increase diversity in the legal profession.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice and wireless services to consumers and businesses across the country. It also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink™ Prism™ TV and DIRECTV brands. In addition, the company provides data, voice and managed services to business, government and wholesale customers in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers. CenturyLink is recognized as a leader in the network services market by key technology industry analyst firms. CenturyLink customers range from Fortune 500 companies in some of the country’s largest cities to families living in rural America. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For more information, visit www.CenturyLink.com.
Kutak Rock LLP
Kutak Rock LLP is a national law firm with over 420 attorneys in 16 offices around the country, and with 70 of those attorneys in the Denver office, focuses on corporate finance, public finance, corporate law, litigation, tax and commercial real estate.
SOURCE CenturyLink, Inc.
For further information: Mark Molzen of CenturyLink, +1-602-630-8224, mark.molzen@centurylink.com; or Jodi L. Kopke of Kutak Rock LLP, +1-303-292-7750, jodi.kopke@kutakrock.com
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