Lauren Stiller Rikleen is the President of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership, bringing a distinguished background as an author, former law firm partner, mediator, and leader in professional and community organizations. She also serves as a Board Member and Executive Director of Lawyers Defending American Democracy, an organization dedicated to mobilizing the legal profession to protect democracy and the rule of law. With a career rooted in strategic leadership and advocacy, she has made significant contributions to the legal profession, workplace dynamics, and community development.
As a former equity partner at a law firm, Lauren managed a diverse environmental law practice, applying her expertise in strategic negotiations and compliance matters. She has been recognized by her peers for two decades in Best Lawyers in America and has also been listed in Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers and Massachusetts Super Lawyers. An experienced mediator, she has used her negotiation skills to resolve complex disputes while also advocating for systemic changes in the legal profession.
A prolific author, Lauren has written four books and edited "Her Honor: Stories of Challenge and Triumph from Women Judges", a collection of powerful narratives from female judges. Her other books, including "The Shield of Silence", "You Raised Us - Now Work With Us", "Ladder Down", and "Ending the Gauntlet", address key workplace and legal profession challenges, providing research-backed insights and practical strategies. She has written over 200 articles for major media outlets such as The Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, Forbes Woman, and MSNBC, solidifying her influence in discussions on workplace culture and leadership.
Within the American Bar Association, Lauren has held multiple leadership positions, including Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus, a member of the Board of Governors, and Chair of the Section of Civil Rights & Social Justice. She has also served on the boards of financial institutions, business organizations, and nonprofits, such as Middlesex Savings Bank, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, and the Boston Bar Association. Additionally, she has played a vital role in supporting women in politics, founding and leading organizations focused on domestic violence support and food security.
Lauren's contributions have earned her numerous prestigious awards, including the ABA Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, Next Avenue’s recognition as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Aging, and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Circle of Excellence - Top Women of Law. Her dedication to mentorship, leadership, and advocacy continues to impact the legal profession, workplace equity, and community service.
Among her other honors, Lauren was selected by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly to its Circle of Excellence - Top Women of Law, received the “Friend of the Division” Award from the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association for her guidance, support, and mentorship, and was honored by the Boston College Law School Women’s Law Center as its Woman of the Year. She was also a Leading Women Award recipient from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, a recipient of the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Women of Justice Award, the Barbara Gray Humanitarian Award from Voices Against Violence, the Lelia J. Robinson Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Boston College Alumni Award for Excellence in Law, and the Boston College Law School 75th Anniversary Alumni Medal. The MetroWest Chamber of Commerce named her Business Leader of the Year, and she was a winner of its Athena Award.
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