Inclusion and Heritage Month Programs: the Firm and Diversity Committee host quarterly conversations that highlight influential legal practitioners and professionals who provide insights on career paths, achievements and obstacles and celebrate inclusion in the legal profession and in our broader communities, particularly during Heritage Month Celebrations. Some of recent past programs are below.
- A presentation by Angela Ford, Founder and Executive Director of The Obsidian Collection
- A conversation with Juan E. Méndez, a legendary figure in global human rights circles
- A fireside chat with Evelyn Yang
- A conversation with Damon T. Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- A conversation with Lambda Legal Staff Attorney, Sruti Swaminathan, Legal Services NYC Director of Pro Bono Services, Adam Heintz, and Simpson Thacher Deputy Pro Bono Counsel, Susan Cordaro
Citywide Diversity Reception: the Firm is proud to host our annual Citywide Diversity Reception. Every year we gather our lawyers, law students and other guests for a discussion on diversity, current events and inclusion in the legal profession. Our Citywide Diversity Reception is a moment in time where we celebrate inclusion while expanding our DEI knowledge through thought provoking conversations as a community.
In 2024, our featured speaker was award winning actor, filmmaker and activist Taraji P. Henson. A Hollywood star having starred in 75 productions, Henson has also received recognition for her community work. She was the recipient of The Community Hope Award for her mental health advocacy work, honored by the Boston-based Ruderman Family Foundation for her work to end the stigma around mental illness, honored at Variety's annual Power of Women event in 2019 and was also the recipient of the Lucy Award for Excellence in TV.
Previous Citywide Diversity Reception speakers include award winning actress Rita Moreno; actress and trans activist Laverne Cox; artist and writer Issa Rae; former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara; American Ballet Theatre Principal ballerina Misty Copeland; award winning playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda; and lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson.