MARIAN COVER DOCKERY
MARIAN COVER DOCKERY is an experienced discrimination lawyer.
In her practice, Marian has successfully represented plaintiffs in employment discrimination lawsuits and has skillfully conducted internal investigations and negotiated settlements.
Marian is a ranked arbitrator with FINRA and has both chaired and served on numerous panels to resolve employment actions filed against major Fortune 500 companies in the financial industry.
PROFILE
Marian’s career began with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) as a Labor Relations Associate investigating claims filed against management and representing management in contract negotiations with the AFL-CIO, Teamsters and the IBEW; Trial Attorney with the EEOC; In-house Counsel, FEDEX (Memphis) where she was the first woman and minority in the Legal Department; and Corporate EEO/Manager at BP Oil (Cleveland) where she was the first African American woman to serve in an executive management position. At BP, Marian supported EEO staff investigating charges filed in the five businesses (Coal, Copper, Exploration and Production, the Warrensville Laboratory, and the Oil Refineries) and Corporate Staff. Marian also served as a Senior Attorney with the Office for Civil Rights (Atlanta).
Marian’s extensive experience in diversity and inclusion includes serving as the executive director of the State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program for 14 years where she designed in concert with a Steering Committee of Atlanta attorneys, CLE programs, business development symposiums and the Annual High School Pipeline Program which she created during her tenure.
PUBLICATIONS
Marian contributed to the ABA’s Commission on Women in the
Profession’s publication, “The Road to Independence.” She has written numerous articles on the topic
of diversity for the “Georgia Bar Journal” including “No Time for Diversity Fatigue,” “Fueling the
Pipeline,” “Diversity Program’s Business Development Symposium,” and the GDP’s quarterly
newsletters in the “The Fulton County Daily Report. “
PRESENTATIONS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Panelist
Emory Law School, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law
School, the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University; Spelman College and presented before members of the Vanderbilt Alumnae Association
Marian speaks frequently on the topic of diversity and has presented as a panelist at the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) conference (2012); the ABA Mid-Year Meeting (2011); the ABA Southern Regional Hearings for the ABA Presidential Summit, the National Bar Association (2007), the State Bar Diversity Program’s annual events and LIWOCA’s annual conferences. Marian has also presented as a discussion leader at Emory Law School, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University; Spelman College and presented before members of the Vanderbilt Alumnae Association.
PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Memberships
State Bar of Georgia, the
Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Gate City Bar, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA)
CEO & Chairman of the Board of the Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA)
Marian’s professional and civic activities include member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Gate
City Bar, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA). Marian also has served on the Board of the Equal Employment Advisory Council (EEAC), Pace Academy Board of
Trustees, the Shepherd Foundation Board, the Theatrical Outfit Board of Directors, the Cleveland Urban League Board and the Memphis Gallery Art Board of Directors. Marian founded the
Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, Inc. (LIWOCA) and served as its president and conference chair for a decade (2006-2016) and as the CEO since 2006.
Marian has served as the CEO of LIWOCA since 2006.
EDUCATION
B.A. \ J.D.
B.A./ Political Science and History
Mount Holyoke College
J.D./ Vanderbilt University School of Law
Marian was an Earl Warren Fellow, a member of the Moot Court Board, Honor Council, Black Law Student Association (BLSA) and named Outstanding Oralist, Appellate Argument I.
HONORS & AWARDS
National Bar Association Woman Lawyers Division, Annual Achievement "Hidden Figure Award" (2023);
State Bar of Georgia “Randolph Thrower Lifetime Achievement Award” (2018);
State Bar of Georgia “Commitment to Equality Award” (2014);
Gate City Bar Association “President’s Award for Excellence” (2011).