In addition to supporting our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, DLA Piper will provide The Athena Alliance with ongoing assistance and advice regarding corporate governance and the fiduciary duties of board members, among other legal matters.

As a company, DLA Piper has made a strong commitment to pro bono work and stands behind it with a generous budget and a minimum annual requirement of pro bono work for each attorney at the firm. In aggregate, DLA Piper attorneys dedicate over 200,000 hours of time to pro bono work per year. Other benefactors of DLA Piper’s pro-bono work include fellow organizations increasing the presence of women in STEM, most notably Girls in Tech and LabGirls STEM Initiative, a nonprofit that encourages elementary school girls to build a lifelong interest in STEM subjects.

In March 2016, DLA Piper and The Athena Alliance marked the beginning of their relationship by co-sponsoring a panel discussion at the DLA Piper offices. Women executives provided insight into the board selection process and shared their experiences as members of the boards of public and private companies. The Athena Alliance looks forward to collaborating with DLA Piper to encourage many more important discussions like these.

The Athena Alliance wishes to extend special thanks to Debra Vernon, an Athena Alliance board member and attorney at DLA Piper, whose support has been integral to the success of the partnership. With more than two decades of experience as a corporate and securities lawyer in Silicon Valley, Debra is an expert in venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, and public company compliance. As our champion at DLA Piper, Debra will lead the team supporting The Athena Alliance, which also includes experts in tax, employment, and trademark law.

The Athena Alliance extends our sincerest appreciation to Debra Vernon and DLA Piper for their considerable generosity. We look forward to our continued collaboration in advancing the visibility of  women executives.