News Release

McGlinchey Names Eliska Plunkett Chief Diversity Officer

February 24, 2021

McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that it has appointed Eliska Plunkett, a seasoned Human Resources professional and Employment attorney, as the firm’s first Chief Diversity Officer. She will partner with former Managing Member Rudy Aguilar to Co-Chair the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Eliska serves as McGlinchey’s Human Resources Director, a role she has held for nine years prior to accepting this additional position. This new role supports the firm’s #McGlincheyForward initiative, and will focus on two primary areas: internally, broadening the spectrum from which we identify and recruit candidates to the firm, and becoming Mansfield certified; and externally, intentionally hiring and spending firm dollars with diverse and equitable vendors and partners, making meaningful economic contributions to the local economies where we live and work.

Eliska has completed training to earn the “Diversity and Inclusion for HR” Certificate from Cornell University in May, 2020, a step towards becoming a Certified Diversity Professional following the Coronavirus pandemic.

“McGlinchey has a strong history of fostering diversity, inclusion, and equity in our firm and across our profession, and that commitment is very important to me as we move forward,” said Managing Member Michael Ferachi. “In naming Eliska to this senior position, she will work to drive the firm’s diversity initiatives and strengthen our inclusive and diverse culture. This role underscores the importance of honoring the broad range of backgrounds and perspectives every individual at McGlinchey brings to solving problems for our clients and our communities.”

“From my time as an attorney to my current role managing HR, I’ve seen the firm maintain a dedication to learning and improving on behalf of the people it employs and serves, and to our broader communities and profession,” Eliska said. “I’m proud to carry that banner forward in this new capacity.”

“Eliska has always championed the elevation of underrepresented voices, and has shared with me many insights on creating a more equitable environment throughout our firm,” said Rudy Aguilar, former Managing Member and Eliska’s Diversity Committee Co-Chair. “I look forward to continuing to engage with her in this capacity as we work towards building a more inclusive environment, both at McGlinchey and in the broader legal field.”

Prior to her role as HR Director, Eliska was a practicing attorney who served as a Member (Partner) in McGlinchey’s Labor and Employment practice group. Prior to attending law school, she had a career as a management and human resources professional in the retail context. She received her J.D. degree cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and her B.A. in Personnel and Industrial Relations from University of Cincinnati.