Bridge the Gap
This past summer, I had the pleasure of meeting several outstanding law students, who are newly graduated and ready to enter the profession. They do so at what is perhaps one of the most challenging periods faced by the country in the past five decades—a time of political turmoil, corporate scandal, continuing threat of terrorism, and economic uncertainty. Yet, what was so encouraging about the time spent with these young lawyers was their optimism for the future and their desire to contribute to the profession in meaningful ways.
None were so naïve as to believe that their early career paths will be without bumps and challenges. However, these new lawyers were too busy looking ahead to dwell on the many negative messages that surround us. They are the future of the profession. They join us at a time when we are all balancing increased work responsibilities, demands of our personal lives, and our own uncertainties about finances and national security. We each have myriad excuses for being unable or unwilling to reach out and welcome these new lawyers as our colleagues. But please take the time. Honor the people who made a difference to you in your early career through their mentoring, advice, and support by reaching out to help someone else.
In this issue, we celebrate with DuPont the tenth anniversary of the DuPont Legal Model. Through its leadership on a variety of fronts, the DuPont law department has continued to influence the face of the profession. The networks and resources they offer, with the support of their primary law firms, help to ensure the extension of opportunities to generations of new lawyers. Congratulations, DuPont!
This fall, MCCA is reaching out to leading bar associations on the west coast to host the first Western Region Diversity Dinner on September 25, 2002, at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. The law departments of Intel Corporation, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Wells Fargo & Company will be honored as 2002 “Employers of Choice.” MCCA appreciates the participation of the following cohosting bar associations: American Corporate Counsel Association—Southern California Chapter, The Bar Association of San Francisco, California Minority Counsel Program, Lawyers for One America and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Together, we are working to further our shared goal of a more diverse and inclusive profession.
Remember to mark your calendar! On October 16, 2002, MCCA will host its annual diversity conference and awards dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel. We hope to see you there!
Given the many networking opportunities offered this fall by MCCA and many other associations, it won’t be hard to connect with your peers about the topics and issues that are important to you. As you connect with familiar faces, please notice those who are on the fringes of your network and welcome them to the fold. By reaching out to a new lawyer, you’ll help the profession receive a return of dividends that economic swings won’t impact.
Honor the people who made a difference to you in your early career through their mentoring, advice, and support by reaching out to help someone else.
Veta T. Richardson
From the November 2002 issue of Diversity & The Bar®