Press Release
Duane Morris Partner Rachael Pontikes Named One of Just The Beginning Foundation's "20 Under 40" for Work Supporting Diversity
CHICAGO, September 25, 2012—Duane Morris partner Rachael Pontikes has been selected as one of the Just The Beginning Foundation's (JTBF) 2012 "20 Under 40" honorees. This award is given to young lawyers in recognition of their demonstrable commitment to JTBF's goals of community involvement and providing guidance and encouragement to diverse students with an interest in the law, as well as to others in their community, to attain their highest academic, personal and professional aspirations. Pontikes and the other honorees were recognized at the foundation's 2012 Biennial Conference opening reception on September 20, which was held at Northwestern University Law School in Chicago.
JTBF is a diverse, nonprofit organization composed of lawyers, judges and other citizens. It is dedicated to developing and nurturing interest in the law among young persons from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession and to supporting their continued advancement. JTBF's long-term goal is to increase diversity in the legal profession and on the bench.
Pontikes practices in Duane Morris' Chicago office and focuses on high-profile and high-stakes litigation. She represents foreign companies in disputes in the United States, acts as liaison for American companies that are sued abroad, represents companies in inter- and intra-company disputes and represents financial institutions in a broad range of commercial litigation and arbitration. Pontikes serves on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women and is on the board for the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation. Through the Alliance, she co-founded the mentoring circles program sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women, the largest mentoring program for women attorneys in Chicago.
Pontikes is a 2001 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wesleyan University.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, a global law firm with more than 700 attorneys in offices across the United States and around the world, is asked by a broad array of clients to provide innovative solutions to today's legal and business challenges.
