On October 12, 2022, the Diversity and Flexibility Alliance announced that its 2022 Flex Success® Award winners will include Sarah Donini Rodriguez, a partner in the Orlando office of Shutts & Bowen LLP.
The Flex Success® Award recognizes partners at Diversity & Flexibility Alliance member law firms who have achieved success while working a reduced hours schedule along with a client who has been integral to making workplace flexibility so successful. Sarah was selected from a broad range of nominations from law firms and attorneys across the nation. The Awards will be presented on November 3 during the Alliance’s annual conference, Cultivating a Holistic Work Culture: The Power of People, Purpose & Productivity, during which all honorees will be speaking.
“These highly respected law firm leaders are a true testament to the value that flexibility can bring to an organization,” said Manar Morales, President & CEO of the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance. “With the support of their clients and firms, these exceptional partners have managed high-profile case loads, held leadership positions within their firms, mentored colleagues, and volunteered their time, while also devoting time to their personal commitments.”
Well-respected by her colleagues, clients, and local community, Shutts partner Sarah Rodriguez has successfully tried complex cases, including a federal trial and multiple complex arbitrations while working a reduced hours schedule. Sarah has maintained an active and intense caseload spanning construction litigation, construction contracting, and business litigation.
“At Shutts & Bowen, we take pride in our flexibility options and the high-performance partners thriving in our program. Sarah is a testament to the success of the DFA program, and we applaud her dedication to her clients and her accomplishments,” said Jack McElroy, Shutts & Bowen LLP’s Firmwide Managing Partner.
A mother of four young children, including two-year-old identical twins, Sarah has been working a reduced schedule since 2013 while managing family life, a thriving legal career and serving the local community as an active member of the Orange County Bar Association, Central Florida Association of Women Lawyers, mentoring organizations, and her church.
“Having a flexible schedule has meant the world to me. My reduced hours have allowed me to spend more time with my family while remaining fully devoted to my legal career. I’m truly grateful to have my clients’ support and to work for a firm that values inclusion, hard work, and flexibility in the workplace,” said Sarah.
Sarah’s client, Jamie Smith, Partner, MHP Management, LLC, is respectful of Sarah’s time restraints, especially given the legal successes she has achieved on their behalf. Over time, Jamie has developed a high level of trust and respect for Sarah and the quality of her work.
“Raising four small children while providing excellent professional services is no small feat,” said Sarah’s client, Jamie Smith, Partner, MHP Management, LLC. “As clients, we value that she is able to maintain her priorities in her household with a flexible schedule while also providing excellent work during the hours that she is in office. From one mother of four to another mother of four, well done!”
To read the full release, please click here.
About Shutts & Bowen LLP
Shutts & Bowen LLP, established in 1910, is a full-service business law firm with approximately 300 lawyers in offices in Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Learn more about Shutts & Bowen at www.shutts.com.
About the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance
The Diversity and Flexibility Alliance is a think tank that collaborates with organizations to develop non-stigmatized flexible work policies that promote inclusive work cultures for all and help to advance more women into leadership positions. The Alliance provides practical research-based solutions, training workshops, and strategic advisory services that increase organizational effectiveness through diversity and flexibility.