Hinshaw Partner Diane Webster Named to Inaugural List of Salute! Women in Law by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer

The U.S law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that Diane Webster, Partner in Charge of the firm's Chicago Office, has been selected as one of 50 honorees in the inaugural Salute! Women in Law Awards, published by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer. The publisher received more than 500 nominations for the 2020 awards. Honorees were chosen for their work to "mentor and promote other women in the profession, their success in the legal community and being a shining example of leadership."

Webster represents companies in complex/catastrophic litigation cases, including medical negligence, birth trauma, neonatal negligence and neurologic injuries. A seasoned litigator, she is among a select group of attorneys nationwide to consistently deliver favorable trial verdicts and results. She also defends companies in insurance and general liability claims and has defended class action lawsuits alleging violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

Just a dozen years after she began her legal career at Hinshaw, Webster was chosen in 2016 to lead the Chicago office. Among her notable contributions, she managed all aspects of the office move to its current location in the John Buck building at 151 North Franklin. While continuing to manage a heavy case load, she oversaw and worked with the architect on the design elements of the new space, selected all furnishings, finishes, amenities and other elements, and oversaw the relocation. Her efforts resulted in a seamless move, and the office was selected as one of the “11 Coolest Offices” in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business.

“Diane’s success as an attorney and leader has won her the respect and esteem of her Hinshaw colleagues and the Chicago area legal community,” said Hinshaw & Culbertson Chairman Peter Sullivan. “Her knowledge and skill in the courtroom place her among the very best of our profession. She has also worked throughout her career to mentor women and minorities, and she is highly regarded in the Chicago civic community. We are very happy that Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer have recognized her for both her professional and personal contributions.”

A native of Chicago, Webster was among the inaugural fellows of the Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity (LCLD) in 2011. She worked with other participants during the year-long fellowship to design and develop the initiatives of the newly established program. Today, LCLD is a national program that identifies high-potential diverse attorneys with leadership attributes and provides them with a series of structured, multi-tiered leadership and professional development programs. LCLD also offers professional networking opportunities and allows fellows the opportunity to learn from general counsels and managing partners at firms across the country.

In addition to managing the firm’s Chicago office, Webster is a leading advocate for women and minorities. Along with mentoring associates and summer associates, she is a member of Hinshaw’s Hiring Committee, Attorney Life Committee, and Women Affinity Network. She is also an active member of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IADTC), Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois (HLAI), Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), and the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA).

Webster and other honorees will be formally recognized in a ceremony on September 2, 2020. For more information, visit https://lawbulletinmedia.com/salute2020