CenturyLink Colorado

QWEST SELECTS BROWNSTEIN HYATT FARBER SCHRECK AS 2008 QWEST LAW DEPARTMENT SPIRIT OF DIVERSITY PARTNER

DENVER, April 16, 2008 — CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: Q) announced today that Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has been selected as the law department’s Spirit of Diversity Partner.

A Spirit of Diversity Partner is the partner law firm that CenturyLink™ believes best demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity within its firm and also within the legal community. This is the first year a CenturyLink diversity partner has been selected. 

“CenturyLink is committed to diversity in all aspects of our business,” said Rich Baer, executive vice president and general counsel, CenturyLink “The purpose of selecting a Spirit of Diversity Partner is to communicate our values, assess firms’ contributions toward creating a diverse legal profession and partner with them to continue promoting diversity. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck should be proud of its approach to diversity and we are proud to be associated with the firm.” 

Qwest’s partner law firms were asked to complete a survey that was evaluated based upon the National Association of Law Placement standards (NALP) and the firms’ diversity activities. Criteria included the overall demographic profile of the participating firms, and detail about the firms’ activities to increase diversity in the profession, including having a dedicated diversity officer, a formal diversity recruiting and retention program and volunteerism in the community. 

“This is quite an honor,” said Bruce James, managing partner and CEO of Brownstein.  “We’re proud to be recognized by CenturyLink for something we consider an integral part of our recruiting efforts and for what we’ve accomplished as a result.”  

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck has implemented several diversity initiatives that have tripled the firm’s representation of diverse attorneys in three years. The firm also actively participates in the Sturm College of Law “Pledge to Diversity Program,” offering positions to summer law students, and is involved with the Goodwill’s Earn and Learn program that provides jobs to high school students.

In honor of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, CenturyLink will make a $2,500 donation to one of Qwest’s pro bono clients, the Colorado Lawyers Committee (Hate Violence Task Force).