New York firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler has a history of women leaders, but the Am Law 200 firms stands out in 2021 with co-chair and managing partner Lisa Cleary backed by an all-woman C-suite.

Patterson Belknap may be unusual, but when considering diversity and inclusion, and leadership succession—both a focus of the legal industry—women are increasingly moving into top leadership roles at U.S. firms, a development that may impact the firm’s decision-making, how clients view the firms and perhaps improve retention of women lawyers.