Three Morrison Cohen Lawyers Named to Lawyers of Color’s Wonderful Women and Hot List 2023

Partners Latisha Thompson and Melissa Madrigal were named to Lawyers of Color’s inaugural Wonderful Women 2023 list, which recognizes dynamic women attorneys working in law firms, companies and government agencies who excel in their careers and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession. Associate Vani Upadhyaya was also included in their Hot List 2023 as an up and coming lawyer to watch.

Lawyers of Color’s selection committee reviewed nominations from peers, mentors and colleagues and researched legal publications to identify attorneys with noteworthy accomplishments, giving special attention to candidates who were active in diversity pipeline initiatives.

Latisha is vice chair of the firm’s Business Litigation practice and a member of the New York City Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and the Metropolitan Black Bar Association. She was named a “Notable Diverse Leader in Law” by Crain's New York Business in 2022. Melissa is a Business Litigation partner and  a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association, the New York Council of Defense Lawyers and the Cuban American Bar Association. She volunteers with the Free Arts NYC program, which empowers youth from underserved communities through art, and she has provided pro bono representation to victims of child trafficking from the Caribbean and Latin American regions. Vani is an associate in the Business Litigation practice and serves as Vice President, Private Sector and In-House Lawyers, for the South Asian Bar Association New York. She volunteers with the Stuyvesant High School Alumni Mentoring Program.

“We are so proud of Latisha, Melissa and Vani for this wonderful recognition. Our firm is dedicated to pushing diversity, equity and inclusion forward in our own community and beyond, and we commend Lawyers of Color for its diligent efforts to identify such talented lawyers who are equally committed to DEI efforts,” said Morrison Cohen Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Bobby Codjoe.

These latest recognitions follow Partner Alvin Lin’s inclusion on the Lawyers of Color Power List 2023, a comprehensive collection of minority leaders in the legal profession who are pushing diversity forward in the practice of law.

Lawyers of Color is a nationally recognized nonprofit devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities. It celebrates attorneys of color and conducts research on the intersection of the legal profession and social justice.