Black Student's Guide to Law Schools & Firms
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Why Howard Is #1 Paul Weiss Has Largest Percentage of Black Attorneys Is Full Employment Possible? When Being the “Only One” Is Worth It Large Law Firm Black Attorney Percentages Over 40 Boutiques with No Black Attorneys Black Student’s Guide to Law Schools & Firms 2019 Edition 1 Diversity + Inclusion Strategic Plan We are proud that Foley is one of the first law firms in the country to adopt a Diversity + Inclusion Strategic Plan. The goal of our three-year strategy is simple: to provide the best service to our clients by attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the best talent. Key Action Steps Strategic Objectives ■ Design inclusion training for firm leadership ■ Require attorney and sta participation in such trainings ■ Enhance individual evaluations to assess support of the plan Establish a culture ■ of accountability that Meet regularly and review progress on implementation of the key actions promotes diversity and ■ Provide a progress report to firm leadership inclusion ■ Establish an oversight program to ensure new associates have sufficient Ensure all individuals amount of the right type of work receive meaningful and ■ Revise mentoring program to include a dashboard report of key data challenging assignments ■ Develop core competencies focusing on necessary skills and experience and opportunities that help ■ Implement succession planning and growth of client interaction milestones them develop professionally ■ Provide for inclusion of diverse attorneys in pitch and proposal activity ■ Expand the current sta talent management program Continue to strengthen the firm’s partnership and ■ Develop a sponsorship program for select diverse senior counsel to drive leadership pipelines by them into partnership intentionally identifying, ■ Design formal leadership skills program for select senior counsel and partners to training, and promoting develop a slate of potential future client relationship managers and firm leaders qualified individuals ■ Implement plan to actively identify and recruit diverse firm members for firm leadership positions ■ Enhance nominating protocol to include a more diverse slate of candidates At Foley, we find value in collaborating with affinity bar organizations and community organizations that support African-American attorneys and represent the communities we serve. ■ Black Law Student Association ■ Chicago Black Partner Alliance ■ Corporate Counsel Women of Color ■ National Bar Association ■ Black Women Lawyers’ Association ■ Chicago Committee on Minorities in Large Law Firms ■ Corporate Counsel Men of Color ■ National LGBT Bar Association ■ California Minority Counsel Program ■ The Chicago Urban League ■ Leadership Council on Legal Diversity ■ Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers ©2019 Foley & Lardner LLP At Foley, six affinity groups serve as catalyst to ensure our culture is inclusive so that all Foley attorneys feel valued and included. We value our attorney’s unique perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. It is the power of our collective dierences that make way for innovation and collaboration. The African-American Affinity Group brings attorneys together while fostering culture, enhancing personal development and supporting broader business objectives. We look forward to expanding our affinity groups and continuing to grow an inclusive environment that leverages the power of our collective dierences. Jason Allen Josh Harris Alex Lodge Senayt Rahwa Milwaukee Chicago Madison Washington DC Von Bryant Lisa Hemphill Sara Madavo Akiesha Sainvil Washington DC Dallas New York Miami Steve Cade Sharal Henderson Byron McLain Elgie Sims Chicago Orlando Los Angeles Chicago Lauren Champaign Trent Johnson Seth Pearson Olivia Singelmann Washington DC Milwaukee Boston Washington DC Jasmine Coo Ellen Paige Jones Aude Peden Lori Taylor Boston Silicon Valley Madison Chicago Jeanne Gills Jasmine Joseph Phil Phillips Michael Thompson Chicago Washington DC Detroit Boston Debbie Green Sylonda Lang Arthur Phillips Dallas Chicago Milwaukee AUSTIN | BOSTON | BRUSSELS | CHICAGO | DALLAS | DENVER | DETROIT | HOUSTON | JACKSONVILLE LOS ANGELES | MADISON | MEXICO CITY | MIAMI | MILWAUKEE | NEW YORK | ORLANDO | PALO ALTO FOLEY.COM SACRAMENTO | SAN DIEGO | SAN FRANCISCO | TALLAHASSEE | TAMPA | TOKYO | WASHINGTON, D.C. ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT. The contents of this document, current at the date of publication, are for reference purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Where previous cases are included, prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 321 N. Clark Street, Suite 2800, Chicago, Illinois 60654 | 312.832.4500 | 19.MC18023 careers.weil.com A commitment to diversity and inclusion has Mentoring Circles Affinity Group Conferences Black Attorney Affinity Group been at the core of our firm since Frank Weil, BAAG members participate in associate of color mentoring Conference Highlights Sylvan Gotshal, and Horace Manges found circles, which supplement the existing mentoring program Client and Alumni Networking Reception for associates who seek additional access to partners as many doors closed to them because of their Speed Mentoring Workshop benefiting advisors and role models. The circles foster peer mentoring PENCIL religious beliefs. They founded Weil, Gotshal and provide a forum to discuss career and diversity topics & Manges LLP to open those doors. For over at the Firm. “Taking Ownership of Your Career” client 30 years, Weil has been a leader in investing panel and discussion featuring Felice Gray-Kemp of LEGO, Michelle Ifill of in formal initiatives to cultivate an inclusive Diversity Education Workshops Verizon, and John Mbiti of Credit Suisse, culture where all feel comfortable and 2 hour annual requirement modeled on the moderated by Weil Silicon Valley ethics CLE requirement encouraged to excel. associate Bambo Obaro. (pictured below) 2017 Program: Lunch discussion and strategic planning "Talking Boldly About Race" with Vernā Myers Weil has been a leader among law firms for holding firmwide conferences for session with Firm leaders Asian, Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ attorneys. The conferences bring together “Career Paths and Lessons Learned” panels 2018 Program: summer associates and attorneys from across the Firm’s offices for Summer Associate & featuring Weil alumni and BAAG partners Interactive Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination professional development, internal networking and mentoring, client Law Student Diversity Adé Heyliger and Adam Banks of Bias CLE presentations development, and diversity pipeline eorts. To date, the Firm has held 15 affinity group conferences. In January 2017, the Firm held a global Personal Branding Workshop facilitated Weil was “Highly Commended” for its development Multicultural Attorney Conference (above) bringing together Asian, Black and by Weil’s Business Development team of the first accredited unconscious bias training Weil’s Diversity Fellowship Program oers Since 2011, Latino attorneys from across the U.S. and London offices. In 2018, the Black program in New York State to improve diversity the Firm has Attorney Affinity Group and WeilPride, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, held their awarded in the profession. $ conferences. The most recent Black Attorney Affinity Group Conference was 10,000 2018 Financial Times North America held in summer of 2018. Innovative Lawyers scholarship awards to first- and 49 second-year law students to promote fellowships greater diversity in the profession. Intersectionality 2018 “Best International Firm for Diversity” at Euromoney 2018 U.S. summer associates: Americas Women in Business Law Awards 47% 34% 5% women people LGBTQ+ #16 Best Firm for of color Overall Diversity 2018 Euromoney In 2015, Weil launched Upstanders@Weil to establish an explicit role for diversity #18 Best Firm in Diversity allies and promote greater inclusion for law student diversity for Minorities 2018 all groups. Our Action Guide describes Weil’s affinity group partnerships address women of color and LGBTQ+ 50+ Upstander behaviors. To date, more recruiting events in 2018 Vault 60+ women. A recent example is the intimate breakfast in New York for attorneys than 85 Weil employees have received from both groups. Upstander@Weil awards. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP careers.weil.com A commitment to diversity and inclusion has Mentoring Circles Affinity Group Conferences Black Attorney Affinity Group been at the core of our firm since Frank Weil, BAAG members participate in associate of color mentoring Conference Highlights Sylvan Gotshal, and Horace Manges found circles, which supplement the existing mentoring program Client and Alumni Networking Reception for associates who seek additional access to partners as many doors closed to them because of their Speed Mentoring Workshop benefiting advisors and role models. The circles foster peer mentoring PENCIL religious beliefs. They founded Weil, Gotshal and provide a forum to discuss career and diversity topics & Manges LLP to open those doors. For over at the Firm. “Taking Ownership of Your Career” client 30 years, Weil has been a leader in investing panel and discussion featuring Felice Gray-Kemp of LEGO, Michelle Ifill of in formal initiatives to cultivate an inclusive Diversity Education Workshops Verizon, and John Mbiti of Credit Suisse, culture where all feel comfortable and 2 hour annual requirement modeled on the moderated by Weil Silicon Valley ethics CLE requirement encouraged to excel. associate Bambo Obaro. (pictured below) 2017 Program: Lunch discussion and strategic planning "Talking Boldly About Race" with