CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Kennedy Covington, one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas, congratulates partner Susan S. Jackson, who has been honored with a 2006 Diversity in Business Award. Sponsored by the Charlotte Business Journal and the Diversity Council of the Carolinas, the award recognizes individuals who are catalysts in advancing the cause of diversity in business.

Jackson has long been a role model for female professionals. As founding member and first president of the Charlotte Women's Bar, she led efforts to encourage the professional development and advancement of women in the legal profession. After celebrating its first anniversary, the organization today has an outstanding 150 members, a true testament to her dedication to this important diversity initiative.

"When Susan is at the helm of any project, there is no question that it will be a success," says Charlotte Women's Bar President-Elect Nina Shor, also an attorney with Kennedy Covington. "She is most deserving of recognition for promoting the rights of women under the law."

In 2004, Jackson became the first female president the Carolina Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law Association (CPTCLA), an organization comprised of intellectual property attorneys practicing in North Carolina and South Carolina. A decade earlier, she was one of the few women to become president of Clemson University's chapter Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering honor society founded in 1885 to recognize engineering students of distinguished scholarship and exemplary character.

At age 34, Jackson became the youngest female partner at Kennedy Covington, where she practices in the intellectual property section of the business law department. Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, she focuses her law practice on all aspects of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and unfair competition, as well as licensing and opinion work. In addition, she is a member of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, American Bar Association, Intellectual Property and International Sections of the North Carolina Bar Association, and Mecklenburg County Bar Association

"Susan's commitment to the legal profession and her own practice goes well beyond the norm," says Buddy DuBose, co-managing partner of Kennedy Covington. "She spends meaningful time mentoring associates, recruiting new attorneys and bringing in new clients. She is a dedicated leader in every respect."

About Kennedy Covington

Founded in 1957, Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, L.L.P. is one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, Columbia and Rock Hill. Our more than 200 attorneys use their diverse experience and knowledge to counsel clients in varied industries such as banking and finance, real estate, technology and manufacturing. At Kennedy Covington, we give more than a legal opinion; we provide a business perspective.

Media Contact:

Allison Bowman
Communications Manager
Kennedy Covington
(704) 350-4410
abowman@kennedycovington.com