Chief Executive Officer, Dentons US
Sonia Martin became CEO of Dentons in 2022, the first woman to hold the firm's top leadership role. She is also a member of Dentons' Global and US Boards, the Global Management Committee, and the US Region Management Committee. Sonia is also Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Historical Society, and has been named one of California's Most Powerful Women in the Law by the National Diversity Council.
As part of LCLD's Leaders at the Front initiative, Sonia created a Leader's Pledge detailing her personal and organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Read Sonia's pledge here.
Dentons’ diversity efforts include affinity groups, pipeline programs, and mentoring. The firm also sponsors a Law Preview Scholarship for diverse students and won the Economic Empowerment Awardfrom InsideCounsel for promoting women worldwide.
In 2022, Dentons was named an LCLD Top Performer for the seventh consecutive year.
Joined LCLD 2009
Highlights of LCLD Participation
Fellows Program
Fellows nominated:
2023: Lauren Wilson; 2022: Erika Lopes-McLeman; 2021: Deb Sengupta; 2020: Uchenna Ekuma-Nkama; 2019: Shannon Baxter; 2018: Chris H. Lee; 2017: Jeniffer M. Roberts; 2016: Kristen Rodriguez; 2014: Felix Woo; 2013: Bonnie Lau; 2012: Karen Jordan; 2011: Leslie Davis
Pathfinder Program
Pathfinders selected:
2023: Clarence Hawkes, Femi Masha; 2022: Max Jones, Anamaria Hazard; 2021: Anthony McCain; 2020: Catharine Luo; 2019: Shelby Sklar; 2018: Erin Stach; 2017: Erika M. Lopes-McLeman; 2016: Melinda Carrido; 2015: Kristina Liu
1L LCLD Scholars Program
Scholars hosted:
2022: Amir Muhammad, Sarah Park; 2021: Elizabeth Amanieh; 2020: Lexi Wung; 2019: Allia Howard, Shreya Santhanam; 2018: Noor-ul-ain Hasan; 2017: Chimezie Udozorh; 2016: Kimberly Wang; 2012: Renee Heyman
Success in Law School Mentoring Program
Mentors provided: 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Attendance
Annual Meeting (2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014)
Members: Sonia Martin, Elliott Portnoy
Diversity Professionals: Emilie Smith, Sonia Martin, Valerie Markle
Communications: Jeff Scalzi
