Diversity Matters

DIVERSITY MATTERS

Vol. 2019, Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE Kassem L. Lucas [email protected] Celebrating Pride Month in Philadelphia 2

Public Service Award for Pepper Associate 3

Event With Author and Activist Welcome to another edition of Diversity Matters. We hope you will spend a few min- Simon Tam 4 utes reading through some of the highlights of our diversity, inclusion and belonging Martin Luther King Lecture activities this year. The Mansfield Rule certification process has brought an even at Villanova 6 more concerted effort to continue to create diverse teams and diverse committees 2019 Celebrate Diversity Event 8 and to interview diverse candidates for Pepper Hamilton. Our Executive Commit- Black History Month 10 tee has asked that we apply the Mansfield criteria to all committees and our entire Veterans Day Event With attorney recruiting efforts. Pepper Alum Desa Burton 11

Pennsylvania Conference We dove into addressing generation differences in the workplace by providing gen- for Women 15 eration diversity training open for all attorneys. Our affinity groups have been hard NHL Event With Hispanic at work bringing programming that teaches, embraces differences, and allows us to Bar Association 17 learn more about and from each other. Generational Diversity 19

Leadership Institute for Women Our Celebrate Diversity event continues to bring together Pepper attorneys and of Color Attorneys Conference 20 staff, clients and members of the community in an effort to recognize that there Barristers’ Association Scholarship for Students is always more to do. This year, we continue to work on the diversity pipeline by of Color 22 honoring five students as part of our 9th annual high school essay contest.And we Hispanic Heritage Month in LA 24 recognize a true champion of diversity, Michael J. Harrington, senior vice president and general counsel at Eli Lilly and Company, for his continued efforts to improve Women in Life Sciences Law Event 26 diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Lunar New Year and Black History Month 27

Memorial Day Event With ZeroEyes 28 THIS PUBLICATION MAY CONTAIN ATTORNEY ADVERTISING Ruth Bader Ginsburg Movie The material in this publication was created as of the date set forth above and is in Honor of Women’s based on laws, court decisions, administrative rulings and congressional materials History Month 31 that existed at that time, and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinions on specific facts. The information in this publication is not intended to create, and the transmission and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship. Please send address corrections to [email protected].

Pepper Pride, the firm’s affinity group for LGBTQ+ attorneys and staff and their allies, participates in the Philadelphia Pride Parade.

On June 9, attorneys and staff from Pepper’s Philadelphia office celebrated Pride Month by marching together in the city’s LGBTQ+ Pride Parade and Festival. Pepper’s participation in the event was organized by Pepper Pride, the firm’s affinity group for LGBTQ+ attorneys and staff and their allies.

The first Pride Parades took place in 1970 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots — a series of demonstrations by the LGBTQ+ community following a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. Philadelphia’s first Pride Parade was held in 1972.

This year’s Philadelphia Pride Parade, which covered a 1.5-mile route, was the city’s largest ever and the first to be televised. Pepper Pride is already planning for next year’s march in Philadelphia and other cities where we have offices.

The mission of the Pepper Pride affinity group is to assist LGBTQ+ members in succeed- ing as lawyers, professionals and administrative staff at the firm. The group provides an open forum to LGBTQ+ community members for support, guidance and mentoring, and fosters relationship building between the Pepper community and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

2 Public Servant Associate Connie Lee Receives Philadelphia Bar Association’s Large Firm Management Committee Public Service Award

Pepper associate and co-chair of Pepper’s Asian Pacific American Affinity Network (APAAN) Connie Lee was selected to receive the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Large Firm Management Committee Public Service Award. The award was presented at the bar association’s Citywide Summer Associate Event, held on July 10 at Philadelphia’s Water Works.

The Large Firm Management Committee Public Service Awards honor young lawyers who have made a difference in Philadelphia through extraordinary pro bono representation or public service to individuals or entities that address the challenges faced by communities of need in the City of Philadelphia. Eligible attorneys must have practiced law for five years or less in private practice or the public sector.

Lee was nominated for the award by the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania. In APABA-PA’s nominating letter, past president Ken Massey wrote that Lee “has worked on numerous pro bono matters with organizations including the Public Interest Law Center, the Legal Clinic for the Disabled, and the Homeless Advocacy Project, among others.” He also noted that Lee is active with APABA-PA and serves as co-chair of Pepper’s Asian Pacific American Affinity Network.

3 Pepper Hamilton Hosts Event With Author and Activist Simon Tam

(Left to right) APAAN co-chair Connie Lee, Simon Tam and Joe Jiang of The Slants, and APAAN co-chair Hyung Steele.

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Pepper Hamilton’s Asian Pacific American Affinity Network (APAAN) hosted an event in Pepper’s Philadelphia office on May 29 with Simon Tam, musician, activist and author of “Slanted: How an Asian Ameri- can Troublemaker Took on the Supreme Court.” The event was also broadcast via video conference to all of Pepper’s offices.

Tam is best known as the founder and bassist of The Slants, the world’s first and only all-Asian American dance rock band. Founded in 2006, The Slants chose their name to seize “control of a racial slur, turning it on its head and draining its venom,” Tam has said in interviews.

In 2009, the band sought trademark protection for its name, but the application was denied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), which found that there was “a substantial composite of persons who find the term in the applied-for mark offensive.” Tam appealed the decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 2017, a unanimous Supreme Court sided with Tam and ruled that the federal law the PTO relied on was unconstitutional. Justice Alito, who authored the Matal v. Tam opinion,

4 stated that the law “offends a bedrock First Amendment principle: Speech may not be banned on the ground that it expresses ideas that offend.”

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Tam wrote “Slanted,” a memoir that discusses his life as an activist, his music career and his work on the Matal v. Tam case. He continues to be involved in First Amendment and free speech issues, and recently founded The Slants Foundation, an organization that provides scholarships and mentorship to artists combining activism and community engagement into their work.

At the event, clients, current and former Pepper Hamilton attorneys and staff, summer associates and other guests listened intently as Tam discussed “Slanted” and the long journey from filing for a trademark to defending free speech before the nation’s highest court. Attendees were also treated to live music from Tam and his guitarist, Joe Jiang, as well as a book signing and reception.

Tam’s presentation received critical acclaim. Pepper associate Connie Lee (co-chair of APAAN) said, “It was inspiring to hear Simon’s story and to learn more about how he has used activism within the legal system to advance diverse issues.”

Pepper partner Hyung Steele (co-chair of APAAN) said, “We were thrilled to welcome him to Pepper as part of our celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and he did not disappoint.”

Other attendees commented that this was the best CLE presentation that they have ever attended.

Pepper’s APAAN provides support and serves as a resource for issues impacting Pepper attorneys who are of Asian Pacific American (APA) descent or are allies of those of APA descent. The group supports the recruitment, training, nurturing, retention and promotion of APA attorneys and allies at Pepper. APAAN also fosters the professional development of its members through its support and collaboration with internal and external organizations with similar goals on inclusion events, community outreach and participation in activities relevant to the APA community.

5 Honoring the Dream Pepper Sponsors Villanova Law’s Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture

Anastasia Bowes ‘21, Pepper’s Kassem Lucas, featured speaker Brenda Wright and Santana Velez ‘21 were in attendance at Villanova Law’s Annu- al Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture, which is sponsored by Pepper Hamilton.

To honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law hosted its annual lecture, sponsored by Pepper Hamilton, on Jan. 29 at the law school.

Pepper sponsors Villanova Law’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture as part of a partnership that earned the firm the George B. Vashon Innovator Award from the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA). In addition to the lecture sponsorship, the program includes the awarding of two three-year, full-tuition scholarships to Villanova Law School in Pepper’s name. The primary scholarship recipients are racial or ethnic minorities, and the scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. It also includes the Pepper Pathways Program, in which Pepper annually hires two Villanova School of Law minority students as first-year summer associates with an option for these students to serve as part-time law clerks during the academic year.

6 Pepper scholarship recipients Santana Velez and Anastasia Bowes, both members of Villanova’s class of 2021, were in attendance, and Pepper partner Kassem Lucas gave opening remarks at the event.

“The annual MLK Keynote Address offers an important opportunity and moment to reflect on Dr. King’s vision for America, in all its dimensions,” said Mark C. Alexander, The Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. We are grateful to Pepper Hamilton for their support of the Lecture and for their continued commitment to fostering diversity in the legal industry, in law schools and in the community.”

This year’s featured speaker was Brenda Wright, senior advisor for legal strategies at Demos, a public policy organization that advocates democratic and economic equality. Her lecture focused on continuing efforts to fight for equality on a number of different fronts, in the spirit of Dr. King’s legacy. Ms. Wright leads legal and policy initiatives on voting rights, campaign finance reform, redistricting, election administration and other democracy and electoral reform issues, and is a nationally known expert in these areas. She has also argued two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court: Randall v. Sorrell (campaign finance) and Young v. Fordice (voting rights).

7 2019 Celebrate Diversity Event

2019 Champion of Diversity Michael J. Harrington, senior vice president and general counsel, Eli Lilly and Company.

On July 16, 2019, Pepper attorneys and senior staff joined members of the legal community, clients and friends of the firm at the 14th annual Celebrate Diversity event at the Arts Ballroom in Philadelphia. Chair of Pepper’s Executive Committee Thomas Gallagher, managing partner Thomas Cole, partner in charge of diversity Kassem Lucas and Nina Gussack all welcomed guests and made remarks.

The event highlights the efforts of Pepper in promoting greater diversity and inclusion in the firm, in the legal profession and in our communities. Two of the evening’s high points are the presentation of Pepper’s Champion of Diversity award and the announcement of the winners of the High School Essay Contest.

This year’s Champion of Diversity award was presented to Michael J. Harrington, senior vice president and general counsel at Eli Lilly and Company. During Celebrate Diversity’s prereception program, Harrington presented “My Lessons and Learnings – 30 Years in Legal Diversity.”

Since joining Lilly in 1991 as an attorney in product liability litigation, Harrington has served in a number of other business and legal positions, including managing director of the New Zealand affiliate and associate general counsel for Lilly’s operations in the

8 Asia-Pacific region. He most recently held the role of vice president and deputy general counsel of global pharmaceutical operations and was responsible for legal issues related to Lilly’s five global business units.

Harrington currently serves on the boards of Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, the National Center for State Courts and the Leadership Council for Legal Diversity. He is co- chair of the Civil Justice Reform Group.

Now in its ninth year, the High School Essay Contest introduces Philadelphia, Camden and Trenton public and charter high school students to laws and legal issues that have a broad impact on our society, and recognizes them for their work. This pipeline program is designed to encourage participants to think about a career in law, potentially leading to a more diverse legal profession down the road.

This year’s essay contest asked students to consider whether social issues should be addressed at a local level by officials who are on the ground in the community, or at the federal level by officials who have access to greater resources.This year’s essay contest finalists were:

• Emmie Chacker, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, 10th Grade

• Quynh Vo, Girard Academic Music Program, 10th Grade

• Melodie Liu, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, 11th Grade

• Faith Applegate, Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, 10th Grade

• Ja’Diyah Lester, Trenton Central High School, 10th Grade

The students, their families and their teachers were invited to attend the Celebrate Diver- sity event, where they were presented with their prizes.

9 Black History Month Events Pepper Holds Events to Celebrate Black History Month

A. Michael Pratt Michael H. Reed Charisse Lillie Carl Singley

In honor of Black History Month, Pepper’s African-American/Black Affinity Group hosted a pair of events celebrating the work and significant achievements of Black lawyers.

During “The History and Legacy of the Black Philadelphia Lawyer,” panelists detailed how the history of the Black Philadelphia Lawyer is a transcendent story of inspiration for all.

Since 1845, these extraordinary men and women were forced to overcome seemingly insurmountable racial, political and de jure barriers to reach the pantheon of American professional life. In doing so, they demonstrated the timeless qualities and attributes of many of our most revered American heroes — an inexhaustible work ethic, an insatiable intellectual curiosity, an unrelenting commitment to equality and justice, and a fearless courage of convictions.

The program was moderated by Pepper partner A. Michael Pratt and featured Pepper special counsel Michael H. Reed, as well as Charisse Lillie, CEO, CRL Consulting LLC, and Carl Singley, counsel, Tucker Law Group. A reception followed the program.

The African-American/Black Affinity Group closed out Black History Month with “Where Are They Now?” — a dinner and discussion with Black Pepper Hamilton alumni. Moderated by Tiffany F. Southerland, the firm’s manager of associate recruitment, diversity and inclusion, the discussion featured Pepper alums Rebecca E. Clayton, associate general counsel, Nexxt, Inc., and adjunct professor of law, University of Pennsylvania Law School; Maryam Abdul-Kareem, senior counsel, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals; and Kali Wellington-James, corporate counsel, human resources, Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

After hearing the panelists discuss their lives and careers after Pepper, attendees were treated to a home-cooked potluck meal.

10 An Alum Remembers Pepper Alumna Desa Burton Shares Her Story of Service at Veterans Day Event

Pepper Alum Desa Burton discusses her time in the U.S. Navy.

For Veterans Day each year, the Pepper Hamilton Veterans Group invites a distinguished attorney or staff member to speak about his or her military service. For the 2018 event, Pepper welcomed back Desa Burton, a former Pepper associate and co-founder of the Veterans Group who is now assistant general counsel at InterDigital, Inc.

Jean Dicus, event coordinator for the Veterans Group, kicked off the event by sharing the history of Veterans Day and noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice. Lisa Flynn, a former U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant who spoke at last year’s event, then led the attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

Executive Committee Chair and Veterans Group Chair Thomas Gallagher provided an intro to Burton and her military history. He noted that Burton was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. Among other assignments, Burton served as engineering officer of the destroyer U.S.S. Briscoe, the same ship Gallagher served on years earlier.

11 “When I was on the ship, no one could imagine having a woman on board,” Gallagher said. “But Desa not only served on that ship, she was a leader in the war room on that ship.”

Burton began her remarks by sharing the story of her father, Lieutenant Commander John H. Burton, who was a Navy pilot. As a child, John Burton saw military planes flying overhead and vowed to become a pilot himself. When he could not get into Navy flight school, he became a mechanical engineer at GE.

He never gave up, however, and he eventually achieved his dream of flying for the Navy. Burton spoke about her time with her family while her father was stationed in Sicily and how his service and sacrifice motivated her decision to join the military.

“He was a wonderful role model and example,” Burton said. “We got back from Sicily, and he was off on a training mission. The helicopter went down. He kept it up long enough for everyone else to get out. He did not. That was 1984. My mother was eight months pregnant. It sounds sad, but the pregnancy kept her going, and my little sister is more like him than he was like himself. It all works out, but this is where it begins.”

Burton then spoke about how she had always planned to attend MIT and become an electrical engineer. When she was admitted, though, she asked her mother if her father had any regrets in life.

“She told me the one thing he wanted to do was go to the Naval Academy, and that was the one thing he couldn’t do,” Burton said.

At that moment, Burton decided to attend the Naval Academy herself. Despite her teachers thinking she was “crazy,” Burton made a plan, and achieved a spot in the class of 1994. More than 13,000 candidates applied for admission that year.

Burton then spoke about her time at the Naval Academy from 1990 to 1994. She described the rigors of her first year — plebe year — when new midshipmen are put through grueling trials to ensure they have the fortitude and team mindset to survive in times of war. Burton not only survived — she also emerged as a leader and was on plebe detail herself two years later.

12 “There’s a reason why they put you through this,” she said. “You have to become a member of a team. You have to learn how to become an exceptional follower to be an exceptional leader.”

While Burton was at the Academy, another member of the family joined the military — her mother, Evelyn.

“My father’s death didn’t just affect me, it affected her too,” Burton said. “She had always wanted to join the military, and he had always told her she couldn’t cut it. So when she came out of mourning after my first year at the Academy, she went and joined the Army. She was 42, and she had a baby at the house!”

As Burton’s mother worked in the Army, Burton took on her first assignment on the U.S.S. Briscoe. It was the first year combat ships were open to women. She noted that this assignment was one of her most difficult.

“My first command position was a challenge — not because I was African-American, but because I was a woman. I was on a ship with five women and 300 men. Establishing boundaries at the beginning was tough,” she said.

Burton then spoke about her assignments on Assault Craft Unit 2 and at U.S. Southern Command, where she was the Lead Staff Officer for the Colombia Counternarcotics Brigade, a joint military operation. At first, she was unhappy with the assignment to the Counternarcotics team, which was unlike her past experiences on ships. Then a senior officer provided some perspective, in what Burton called a “pivotal moment in her life.”

“He said ‘this is an opportunity. Stop looking at it like it’s a negative. This is a positive. You’re creating something. How do you want it to look? How do you want it to be? You have all the influence in the world.’ What I learned from that was to not be salty when you have an opportunity that isn’t always presented to you like an opportunity,” Burton said.

After that assignment, Burton left the military and entered law school at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2011, however, she put law school on hold and joined the reserves in the wake of 9/11.

13 Following Burton’s remarks, there was a Q&A with attendees, where she was asked what could be done to encourage future generations to pursue a career in the military. She spoke about her own experiences in setting a plan for her future and explained that adults could help kids set their plans and execute on them.

“I was 100 percent driven to get to the endpoint because I knew I was going to get to that endpoint,” Burton said. “But a lot of times people walk into high school and think ‘I’m just here.’ They walk into law school, ‘Oh, I’m just here.’ They walk into anything and think ‘I’m just going to enjoy the experience.’ But for me, my entire life has been — I want to be an IP lawyer. I want to go to the Naval Academy. I’m going to get an MBA. I decide I’m going to do something, set out a plan and then execute. And the end in my mind is already done. There’s more to life than just experiencing it. You can set it. You can create things out of thin air.”

To conclude the event, Gallagher presented Burton with the Veterans Group challenge coin, noting that the coin had been one of her ideas when founding the group.

14 An Inspiring Event WIN Members and Clients Attend Pennsylvania Conference for Women

Peppers had a great view for Amal Clooney’s keynote at the conference.

For the third year in a row, Pepper’s Women’s Initiative (WIN) was a contributing sponsor of the sold-out Pennsylvania Conference for Women. This past year, the conference began with keynote speaker Amal Clooney detailing her representation of 2018 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nadia Murad. Clooney spoke of the current state of human rights both in the United States and globally. She concluded her remarks by acknowledging that she remains optimistic for the future and that the audience of people in front of her was inspiring.

Present in that audience of approximately 10,000 women and men were attendees from Pepper Hamilton clients as well as Pepper attorneys Judith O’Grady (WIN co-chair), Rachel Mynhier, Amber Sved, Lisa Kabnick, Jan Levine, Julia Corelli, Noël Ix, Soumya Sharma and Deborah Enea.

Stephanie Pindyck-Costantino, co-chair of WIN, emceed the panel titled “How Women Rise: Taking the Next Step in Your Career,” which featured author Sally Helgesen; Dani Rylan, founder of the National Women’s Hockey League; Fran Hauser, author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl” and an active angel investor (recently named one of 30 women in venture capital to watch in 2018); and Karen Etzkorn, CIO of Qurate Retail Group, the parent of brands including QVC, HSN and Frontgate.

15 Pindyck-Costantino began the panel with an explanation of why this particular session resonated with her and Pepper. “The mission of the PA Conference for Women is vital to me, and the greater Pepper community, because we are an organization that prides itself on placing women in positions of influence and power, and we have a long history of doing so,” she said.

The PA Conference for Women also featured Serena Williams and Maysoon Zayid as afternoon keynote speakers. Zayid openly discussed the issues facing women in the workplace and, with great humor and frankness, spoke about her cerebral palsy and issues facing people with disabilities. Williams also discussed the issues facing women and the ability she has to use her platform to bring awareness to important issues, such as Purple Purse, which is committed to helping victims of domestic violence through financial empowerment.

16 Game On Pepper Hamilton Co-Hosts Event With Hispanic Bar Association at Flyers Game

HBA president Elizabeth Oquendo (left) and Pepper alum Alex Gonzalez with Gritty.

Legal seminars hosted by law firms and bar associations are common occurrences, but how many of these events also give attendees the chance to meet Gritty — beloved mascot of the Philadelphia Flyers? A recent event hosted by Pepper Hamilton and the Hispanic Bar Association of Pennsylvania (HBA) did just that, combining panel discussions on emerging issues in energy law with an evening of Flyers hockey.

This is the second year Pepper has partnered with the HBA for a CLE program followed by a Flyers game. And the firm has a long history of co-hosting events with and supporting the HBA, whose board includes several Pepper alumni.

For this year’s event, Pepper partner Joseph Kadlec, with the help of the Pepper Latina/o Caucus, again took a leading role in planning the event and developing the panel discussions.

The first panel covered the topic of “Working with Regulators, Agencies and Activists in the Energy Industry.” Event co-sponsor PECO Energy was represented on the panel by Anthony Gay, vice president of governmental and external affairs, and Tom Bonner, manager of state government affairs. Pepper partners John Carroll and Gregory Narsh rounded out the panel.

17 Kadlec moderated the evening’s second panel, which covered the topic “Developments and Investments in Clean Energy: What’s in the Mix?” Panelists included Bill Scharfenberg, assistant general counsel for New Jersey Resources, another event co-sponsor; Chris Savastano, director of development for New Jersey Resources; and Jesse Rodriguez, director of energy policy analysis at Exelon.

Following the panel discussions, attendees enjoyed a networking reception in a private suite at the Wells Fargo Center, featuring a surprise visit from Gritty. Guests then took in an exciting match between the Flyers and the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Flyers won the day in a shootout.

“I was thrilled we were able to partner again with the Hispanic Bar Association for this fun event,” Kadlec said. “In addition to having two great panels with leaders in the energy industry, we were able to make meaningful business connections in a more relaxed environment.”

18 Generational Diversity

In an effort to encourage engagement and inclusiveness in the workplace, Pepper’s Diversity and Diversity Liaison committees worked together to bring to all attorneys a program on learning about and working with different generations.

Looking across generations — from baby boomers to Gen X to millennials — one sees a mix of commonalities and differences. It is understanding and appreciating the differences that determines long-term success in the legal workplace. The program examined what is important to each generation, what their values are, and how those beliefs and values were formed.

During the program, Chris DeSantis, an independent organizational behavior practitioner focusing on improving productivity and commitment in the workplace, provided an informative presentation on embracing generational diversity. DeSantis, who is also a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s teaching faculty, has delivered his message on generational diversity in the legal workplace to member law firms and corporate legal departments of LCLD.

19 The program was unique because each attorney attended the session aligned with their generation and then shared messages with all generations at a reception following the presentations. The program not only helped in the workplace, but also provided tips when dealing with other generations in client interactions, in the community, and at home.

Law firms (like many organizations) are composed of different generations working together. Following the program, DeSantis provided practical suggestions on how to achieve optimal productivity among the generations, how to develop an appreciation for what motivates each generation, and how each generation prefers to work and connect.

Leading the Way Pepper Attorneys Attend Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys Annual Conference

(Left to right) Nancy Cruz, Pilar Ramos from MasterCard, Soumya Sharma and Fradyn Suarez from Jones Day.

A recent article published by the American Bar Association noted that diverse and inclusive mentoring is an essential component to retaining lawyers of color and ensuring their success. That’s why Pepper’s Diversity Committee is dedicated to providing firm attorneys with opportunities to meet and connect with other diverse lawyers and possible

20 mentors. One example of that is the recent Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys’ 14th Annual Leadership Conference, which was attended by associates Soumya Sharma and Nancy Cruz.

The annual leadership conference is the premier professional development and networking conference for women of color attorneys in the country. The theme of this year’s conference, held in Washington, D.C., was “Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Leading and Empowering at the Next Level.” The conference featured women leaders in law firms, corporations, government agencies and the judiciary from across the country, including former Attorney General Loretta Lynch as well as the top lawyers for companies like MasterCard and World Bank Group.

“The personal and professional stories shared by the speakers were deeply inspiring,” Sharma said. “These women have not just broken the glass ceiling but have gone above and beyond in promoting the inclusion and diversity agenda within their institutions.”

Attendees of the conference enjoyed an in-house counsel roundtable and ample time for networking, as well as substantive seminars on topics including board of directors service, navigating the changing regulatory environment, and overcoming microaggressions and inequities.

“The conference created a welcoming space where people could have candid conversations about their careers. It was empowering to be surrounded by amazing women leaders who are dedicated to diversity and inclusion,” Cruz said.

21 Pepper Hamilton Sponsors Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia Scholarship

(Left to right) Barristers’ Association President Tianna Kalogerakis, scholarship recipient Frederick Poindexter, and Pepper attorneys Courtney Munnings and Michael Pratt.

Pepper Hamilton was proud to serve as underwriter for one of the scholarships awarded by the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia at its annual awards and scholarship gala. The firm was also a sponsor of the event.

Established in 1950, The Barristers’ Association addresses the professional needs and development of Black lawyers in the City of Philadelphia through programs such as seminars, cultural events and publications. Each year, the association awards scholarships to students of color attending local area law schools. The scholarships are given to students who demonstrate leadership ability, academic achievement and a commitment to community service and professional development.

Pepper served as underwriter for the scholarship awarded to Frederick Poindexter, a first-year student at the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. Before law school, Mr. Poindexter worked in sales for the Philadelphia 76ers and then as an assistant director of counseling and manager of federal verification at the University of Pennsylvania, where he helped construct institutional and federal aid processes and develop programs for first-generation, low-income students.

22 Pepper attorneys A. Michael Pratt and Courtney A. Munnings, co-chairs of the firm’s African-American/Black Affinity Group, attended the Barristers’ Association gala on May 18 to present Mr. Poindexter with his scholarship award.

The Pepper African-American/Black Affinity Group serves as a resource open to all Pepper attorneys and staff interested in fostering the success of African-American/Black attorneys. The group sponsors programming and other initiatives that promote business and career development, mentoring and guidance, recruitment and retention, and networking and relationship building.

“Pepper’s African-American/Black Affinity Group is not only committed to supporting attorneys of color at the firm. We are also dedicated to increasing opportunities for Black attorneys throughout the legal community,” said Mr. Pratt, who previously served as president of the Barristers’ Association and Chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association. “Pepper’s underwriting of the Barristers’ Association scholarship program is just one way we are working toward the goal of a more diverse and inclusive profession.”

Ms. Munnings added, “It was especially gratifying to attend the Barristers’ gala and meet Frederick in person. He has a bright legal future ahead of him, and I’m pleased Pepper was able to play a role in his career.”

23 Celebrating Heritage Los Angeles Office and Pepper Latina/o Caucus Host Event for National Hispanic Heritage Month

A full house for the Los Angeles luncheon.

Each year, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The month recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Pepper Latina/o Caucus (PLC) hosted a luncheon in the Los Angeles office, complete with festive decorations and delicious Mexican food.

Mexico’s independence day, celebrated on September 16, is just one of the important holidays that lines up with National Hispanic Heritage Month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence days on September 15, and Chile celebrates its independence on September 18.

Veronica Torrejón, co-chair of the PLC, originally proposed marking Hispanic Heritage Month with a smaller after-hours celebration. Los Angeles managing partner Mary Dickson was extremely supportive and suggested a larger celebration during the day. Office administrator Janice Tutaj took the idea and came up with a fiesta theme, complete with colorful decorations and posters explaining the significance of National

24 Hispanic Heritage Month. The Los Angeles office is enriched by many cultures and traditions, and Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic were all represented for Hispanic Heritage Month. The luncheon, which provided an opportunity for Pepper Hamilton attorneys and staff to share stories and learn about different traditions, will hopefully mark the beginning of other cultural celebrations to come.

The luncheon also provided an opportunity to showcase the Pepper Latina/o Caucus, which serves as a resource for Pepper attorneys and staff about issues affecting Latinos. PLC’s mission is to promote an understanding of issues impacting the Latino community, provide mentoring and professional opportunities to interested attorneys, provide a bridge to strengthen relationships with clients, celebrate and recognize the importance of Latino cultural heritage, identify and eliminate obstacles that may hinder the success of its members, provide guidance for navigating the politics of firm life, and serve as a vehicle through which members can engage with their local Latino community.

25 Life Science Leaders Pepper Sponsors Women Leaders in Life Sciences Law Conference

Pepper attorneys and clients attended the Women Leaders in Life Sciences Law event, held in Boston.

Pepper’s Health Sciences Department is full of women leaders, from immediate past chair Nina Gussack and current chair Rachael Bushey to the department’s many women partners, of counsel and associates. With this deep bench, it made perfect sense for Health Sciences to sponsor the Women Leaders in Life Sciences Law event, held in Boston July 25-27, 2018.

The conference, which was presented by the American Conference Institute, was specifically designed for women life sciences practitioners to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women in the industry, as well as to foster communication between like-minded individuals about the key legal developments for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies in the life sciences world.

In addition to sponsoring the conference, Health Sciences partner Jennifer Porter participated in a panel titled “The New Face of M&A in the Life Sciences Industry: Impacts from Antitrust to IP and Beyond.” Porter was joined by Rhiannon D’Agostin, shareholder at Polsinelli; Elona Kogan, former general counsel and senior vice president of government relations at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals; Jeny Maier, partner at Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP; and Christine Siegwarth Meyer, managing director at NERA Economic Consulting.

Health Sciences partners Erin Colleran and Judith O’Grady led the department’s efforts to participate in the conference and organized a dinner for Pepper attorneys and clients attending the event.

“ACI Women Leaders in Life Sciences is one of the best conferences I’ve attended in terms of quality time spent with clients and meeting new contacts,” O’Grady said.

26 Diverse Events Pepper Hamilton’s Affinity Groups Recognize Diversity Celebrations in February

The Los Angeles office gathered together to celebrate Black History Month.

February was a big month for several of Pepper’s affinity groups as they held events to recognize Lunar New Year and Black History Month.

On February 5, the firm’s Asian Pacific American Affinity Network (APAAN) held a lunch to celebrate Lunar New Year, the beginning of the new year for China and other Asian countries that use a calendar based on the cycles of the moon. For APAAN’s event, Pepper attorneys and staff enjoyed a lunch catered by Han Dynasty, and each attendee received a traditional red envelope, which is given at Lunar New Year to symbolize good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. (While the envelopes traditionally are filled with money, Pepper’s included chocolate coins.)

During the APAAN event, the group discussed recent activities, including the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania’s 2019 Lunar Banquet, which was chaired by associate Connie Lee and attended by several Pepper attorneys.

27 February was also Black History Month, and Pepper’s African-American/Black Affinity Group (AABAG) held several events to commemorate the occasion. In addition to events held in Philadelphia and broadcast to other offices, AABAG held a happy hour in the Los Angeles office to allow LA attorneys and staff to gather in celebration of Black History Month.

The Meaning of Memorial Day Veterans Group Hosts Mike Lahiff of ZeroEyes for Annual Memorial Day Event

(Left to right) Tom Gallagher, Mike Lahiff and Sean McConnell.

At Pepper, the summer season doesn’t begin with a barbecue or a visit to the beach. Instead, attorneys and staff across the firm begin their summer by honoring those who made it all possible — the women and men of the U.S. armed forces who gave their lives in service of their country.

Jean Dicus, event coordinator for the Veterans Group, kicked off the group’s eighth annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 23 by providing a history of Memorial Day and introducing Lisa Flynn, a former U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, who led attendees in the pledge of allegiance.

28 Associate Sean McConnell, a former Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and member of the Veterans Group, then spoke about the firm’s history of supporting veterans.

“This is the eighth time we’ve gathered together to celebrate this event. It fills me with immense pride as an Army veteran that our firm reaches out and sponsors numerous events around the country to support veterans and family members of veterans, and that we take the time to celebrate this each year,” he said.

McConnell then introduced the event’s guest speaker — former U.S. Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff, the founder and CEO of ZeroEyes, an intelligent video analytics company. Lahiff began his remarks by reflecting on the meaning behind Memorial Day.

“When Memorial Day first pops in my head, I think of a long weekend — barbeques, picnics, the shore, camping with my kids, grilling with family and friends. And then it dawns on you — the significance of Memorial Day. I spent 10 years in the military, and I fully understand that,” Lahiff said.

“We all know what Memorial Day is really for — remembering the people who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. But what better way to do that than to live life to its fullest by going to shore with family and friends, making those memories camping in the Poconos, having barbecues with loved ones. I know that’s what my brothers and teammates would want us to do. And that is why they volunteered to do what they did. They paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can do all these things. So go and do it, and do it to the fullest.”

Lahiff then spoke about his journey to the military. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Lahiff grew up in a large family. At age 10, he read a book about Navy SEALs in Vietnam and “was hooked.” In his sixth-grade yearbook, he proclaimed he would be a SEAL himself in 20 years.

But first, Lahiff attended high school and enrolled in college. Then 9/11 happened. “That seed that was in my head since fourth grade sprouted, and I realized what I had to do,” Lahiff said. He dropped out of college and enlisted in the Navy.

29 During his first round of BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training, Lahiff met Rob Huberty, who would become a longtime friend and COO of ZeroEyes. Huberty made it through SEAL training, but Lahiff did not.

“I dropped out during hell week,” he said. “That was the biggest failure in my life to that point. It was pretty devastating, but it was a huge lesson. If you want something, get after it. You practice, you train, and you get back up every time you get knocked down, and eventually you arrive at your goal.”

Lahiff eventually reached his goal, completing SEAL training and deploying to Afghanistan. For his first tour, he and his team were based in local villages, working to build up the economy and increase security. For his second deployment, Lahiff joined a special forces team targeting IEDs.

After 10 years in the military — first in the Navy and then as a Navy SEAL — Lahiff decided to return home to his friends and family. He had earned his undergraduate degree while in the Navy and enrolled in Wharton business school upon returning home.

After earning his MBA, Lahiff jumped around in tech startups and private equity, but had “zero passion” for these fields. He was intrigued by artificial intelligence and computer visualizations, but didn’t know if there was a business idea there.

Then the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, happened. Lahiff had the idea of using AI tools to help diffuse threats like active shooters and provide info to first responders. ZeroEyes was formed, and its technology is now used to detect weapons and recognize faces in real time to identify and address threats before they become violent. Many members of the ZeroEyes team are former Navy SEALs who served with Lahiff.

“We are taking the passion we had in the military and driving it into our company,” Lahiff said.

Following Lahiff’s remarks, Executive Committee Chair and Veterans Group Chair Thomas Gallagher presented Lahiff with the Veterans Group challenge coin.

30 A Supreme Gathering The Pepper Women’s Initiative Hosts Events to Celebrate Women’s History Month

(Left to right) Tim Anderson, Natalie Einsig, Sandy Adams and David Tshudy at the Harrisburg event.

Women’s History Month — established in 1981 and held annually in March — commemorates and encourages the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. In the legal profession, few women are as well-known or as celebrated as Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In honor of Women’s History Month and to recognize Justice Ginsburg’s impact on the profession, Pepper’s Women’s Initiative (WIN) held a series of Ginsburg-inspired events across the firm’s offices.

On March 28, WIN members and supporters gathered in Berwyn, Harrisburg, New York, Philadelphia, Princeton, Washington, D.C. and Wilmington for a screening of the film “On the Basis of Sex,” which tells the story of Justice Ginsburg’s early legal career, including her work on the groundbreaking Moritz v. Commissioner case.

The WIN event also included a reception — featuring “Ruth Bader Gingersburg mocktails” and coasters themed to Justice Ginsburg’s famous dissent collar. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to strengthen relations with colleagues, honor the contributions Justice Ginsburg has made to gender equality, and celebrate the importance of diversity and inclusion. WIN co-chair Judith O’Grady kicked off the event with remarks.

31 “We are proud of the effort Pepper has put forth to close the gap in leadership roles for women and minorities in Big Law, such as signing on to the Mansfield Rule, named after Arabella Mansfield, the first female attorney to join the licensed bar in the United States,” O’Grady said.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the firm also made a contribution to the American Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession, whose mission is to secure full and equal participation of women in the ABA, the profession and the justice system.