BOSTON-  Mintz is pleased to announce that Associate Rachel Gholston has been selected to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s (LCLD) 2023 Fellows Program, while Associates Jason Burrell and Nicole Rivers have been selected to participate in the LCLD 2023 Pathfinders Program.

The Fellows Program aims to identify, train and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession, offering a year-long, in-depth program devoted to relationship-building, in-person training and peer-group projects. Whereas the Fellows program provides training to mid-career attorneys, the Pathfinder Program is designed to train high-performing, early-career attorneys in critical career development strategies including leadership and the building of professional networks.

“Rachel, Jason and Nikki have shown tremendous leadership potential both within and outside of the firm,” said Narges Kakalia, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Mintz. “Through LCLD’s outstanding programs, all three will receive best-in-class professional development and enrichment needed to advance and succeed throughout their careers. Mintz is honored to support LCLD as we continue to meaningfully promote the career growth and development of our diverse attorneys.”

Ms. Gholston provides a broad range of client services to early-stage companies, private investment funds, and public companies in matters including corporate governance, securities offerings, acquisitions and compliance. For early-stage companies, she represents both companies and investors in venture capital financing transactions. Ms. Gholston also advises in the formation and operation of startup incubators and accelerators. In her investment funds practice, she counsels investment advisors with respect to fund formation and regulatory compliance. Her general corporate and securities practice spans multiple industries, including life sciences, clean energy, FinTech, and social impact.

Mr. Burrell focuses on complex commercial litigation, including representing financial institutions, closely-held corporations and publicly traded companies. He frequently represents clients in connection with internal investigations and investigative and enforcement proceedings conducted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and state regulatory agencies. In addition to exceling in the legal profession, Mr. Burrell serves as a trusted advisor for various national, local, and state-wide candidates and elected officials. Most recently, he was the campaign manager for Maura Healey’s historic gubernatorial election during the 2022 election in Massachusetts.

Ms. Rivers defends employers of all sizes in high-stakes employment litigation and labor matters and counsels clients on employment best practices. She has provided representation in complex cases involving claims of wage and hour violations, harassment, retaliation, discrimination, breach of employment agreements, Family and Medical Leave Act violations, and violations of California employment and labor laws, including the Private Attorneys General Act, the California Family Rights Act, and the Fair Employment and Housing Act.   

Founded in 2009, LCLD is a growing organization of more than 400 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners who are personally committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive legal profession. Its action programs aim to attract, inspire and nurture legal talent to help a new and more diverse generation of attorneys attain leadership positions.

Learn more about Mintz’s dedication to diversity here