Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres Receives Benchmark Award from the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law

October 16, 2025  

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is proud to announce that the firm has received the Benchmark Award from the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law (CWIL). Partner Jessica Fairchild accepted the award on behalf of the firm during CWIL’s annual Leadership Forum earlier this week.

The Benchmark Award recognizes a law firm or corporate legal department that demonstrates passion and commitment to advancing women’s initiatives in the legal profession. Honorees exemplify leadership through innovative approaches to gender diversity, efforts to inspire and educate colleagues on the importance of gender parity, and programs that help increase the number of women in senior and leadership roles. With past recipients including Ulta Beauty, Inc., Allstate, Kimberly-Clark, Accenture, Walgreens Co., United Airlines, and many other distinguished organizations, we are truly honored to be recognized alongside them.

This recognition reflects the firm’s commitment to showcasing women in leadership and our culture of inclusion, advancing gender equity, and supporting women at all levels of the legal profession.

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres is proud to support and empower women across all levels of the firm and the broader legal community, and is a proud member of the CWIL. Firm partner Deirdre Close also serves as a board member of the CWIL Chicago Chapter.

About the Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law (CWIL)

The Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law is a non-profit membership association that brings together women attorneys from law firms, corporations, and government to promote the advancement, retention, and empowerment of women in the legal profession