CHICAGO, May 14 – LAWFUEL – Piper Rudnick LLP has appointed former Northwestern University
Law School Dean of Students Theresa D. Cropper as its new director of diversity, the
law firm announced today
Ms. Cropper will lead Piper Rudnick’s Diversity Initiative, created in 2002—a
five-year program to improve diversity within the firm.
“We are thrilled to welcome Theresa to Piper Rudnick, and we are eager for her to
assist us in advancing our firmwide Diversity Initiative,” said Piper Rudnick
partner Peter Bynoe.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work within this setting,” Ms.
Cropper said. “ Piper Rudnick has already taken important steps toward improving
its diversity, and this is an environment very dedicated to advancement of women
and minorities.”
Ms. Cropper comes to Piper Rudnick from Northwestern University, where she served as
the law school’s minority affairs director, then as dean of students. There, she
was known for helping to introduce into the law school a more collaborative student
culture.
In announcing Ms. Cropper’s departure from Northwestern, David Van Zandt, dean of
Northwestern University School of Law, described her as a leader and team builder
who accomplished much in her 14 years at the law school. He said, “During her
time with us, Theresa has helped to build and maintain one of the most supportive
and collegial learning communities of any law school. In her years as Director of
Minority Affairs, she was instrumental in increasing the number of minority students
in our JD Program, and more importantly helped to create an environment in which all
our students can thrive and succeed.”
Mr. Van Zandt commented, “We have been fortunate to have Theresa as part of our
community for 14 years. Personally, I will miss her greatly. Please join me in
wishing her well in her new venture.”
Before working at Northwestern, Ms. Cropper was director of business affairs for
the singer Stevie Wonder. She also served as a staff attorney and administrative
assistant to the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, president of Operation Push/Push Excel.
She received her B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University and her J.D. from American
University.
