Covington Attorney Named Fordham Law Trailblazer

NEW YORK, April 25, 2014  — Covington & Burling partner Loretta Shaw-Lorello has been selected to receive the Ruth Whitehead Whaley “Trailblazing Alumnus” Award by the Fordham University School of Law Black Law Students Association.

The award pays homage to Ruth Whitehead Whaley, the first African-American woman to enroll at Fordham Law School, where she graduated at the top of her class in 1924. Recipients of the “Trailblazing Alumnus” award are said to “embody Ms. Ruth Whitehead Whaley's bold spirit and commitment to excellence.” Past award recipients include Russ Torres, head of News and Finance for Yahoo! Studios; Janice McKenzie Cole, founder of Cole Immigration Law Center; and Judge Deborah Batts of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Ms. Shaw-Lorello, based in Covington’s New York office, is vice-chair of the firm’s private funds practice, a partner in the private equity practice and co-chair of the firm’s diversity committee. She earned her law degree from Fordham University School of Law where she served as a member and associate editor of the Fordham Law Review. Ms. Shaw-Lorello will be honored at the annual Ruth Whitehead Whaley Dinner on April 25 in New York.