(L to R): Anita King of Dickstein Shapiro; Ritu Sing of Jones Day; Terry Eaton of Dickstein Shapiro; and other event attendees.
Now in its second year, the DC Minority Attorneys Networking Series has already secured a prominent place among professional development programs designed for minority attorneys in the Washington metropolitan area. Co-organized by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, and Jacobson LLP and Arnold & Porter LLP, the series offers an all-inclusive forum in which minority attorneys from law firms, government, corporations, and public interest organizations can network and focus on career development in a welcoming, informal atmosphere. Since the series began in March 2005, well over 1,100 attorneys have attended its events.
For many minority attorneys, the series serves as a nice alternative to more mainstream networking events. At the DC Minority Attorneys Networking Series, eager attendees share similar issues and are able to discuss topics particular to minority lawyers such as leadership, pathways to partnership, the glass ceiling, and mentoring. The relaxed setting facilitates conversations that might otherwise be difficult in different circumstances. Another invaluable facet of the series is that it features a prominent attorney of color as guest speaker at each event.
Helmed by Caren Ulrich Stacy, director of professional development, recruiting and legal personnel for Arnold & Porter, and Maddy Kershek, manager of professional development at Fried Frank, the networking series has rapidly expanded from a bright idea into a flourishing program currently sponsored by 34 notable firms that share an interest in diversity. Clearly, the program answers a need.
The origin of the series reads very simply: During a planning meeting of Fried Frank's attorneys of color affinity group, members discussed new ways of maximizing their professional potential, recalls Danielle McCoy, Fried Frank associate and group member. Together, they observed that although DC is home to many attorneys of color whom they might meet as clients, there were very few networking opportunities in which to encounter them. A Fried Frank partner who was present added that networking is an effective way of building interest in your own practice area as well. After concluding that it is integral to connect with attorneys in different firms, fields, and environments to further their careers, the group took action.
"At first, we tossed around the idea of doing something with another firm, or firms in Penn Quarter," says McCoy. "But then our office of associate development came up with a database of firms throughout the city with minority groups similar to ours, so we reached out to them, inquiring about general interest in teaming up for some type of multi-firm activity. Initially, the response wasn't quite what we had hoped for; however, in August of 2004, we met with Arnold & Porter, one firm that did respond, to discuss ideas and this is when things really started. After both firms formulated a clear plan, 21 additional firms soon came on board to co-sponsor the series."
Not insignificantly, McCoy notes that Fried Frank is devoted to associate development. The firm is eager to supply associates with what is required to further their careers, and these efforts change from year to year depending upon attorneys' needs. Early on, when not many firms had signed on in support of the networking series, and the expense to Fried Frank promised to be great, the partnership pledged to support the series entirely, or in partnership with Arnold & Porter exclusively.
"The networking series is important to the firm," says William Cook, partner and chair of the diversity committee at Arnold & Porter. "Minority associates at the firm (as well as many other firms) have made clear over the years that, as a general matter, they do not believe that they have access to the same networking opportunities outside the firm as their non-minority colleagues, and, therefore, are unable to make the same contacts that can lead to business or help them professionally."
"At Arnold & Porter, we think it is important not only to take steps to ensure that professional development opportunities within the firm are distributed fairly," adds Cook, "but also to make sure that minority attorneys can take advantage of networking opportunities in the metropolitan area. So naturally, when Fried Frank approached us about supporting the DC Minority Attorneys Networking Series, we jumped at the chance."
Hoping to attract about 100 or so guests to their first event in March 2005, the program organizers were ecstatic, and more than a little overwhelmed, when over 500 attorneys responded that they were coming. Quickly, the venue was changed to a larger, more accommodating space. Ultimately, approximately 370 lawyers attended.
(L to R): Ronald D. Lee, Arnold & Porter LLP and Dean Harold Hongju Koh, Yale Law School.
The event is geared to practicing attorneys of color, not students, since they already have other diversity networking outlets, explains Ulrich Stacy. "With the help of the MCCA®, and by reaching out to various minority bar programs like the South Asian and Hispanic Bar Associations, we've compiled a distribution of over 1,000 contacts."
Typically, attendees benefit from the event in three ways, says Ulrich Stacy. Foremost is career development, an element of the networking experience. Most attorneys are fairly insulated within their own positions, so meeting other lawyers in a stress-free environment offers an opportunity to have a relaxed informational exchange. It is a chance to learn what other people are doing and what their jobs entail without having to resort to cold-calling them. In this relaxed setting, attendees are often able to get an accurate description of an area of work and learn about a workplace's culture outside of a job interview context, where the dynamics of being a job candidate may frustrate the ability for candor.
Networking also facilitates business development. At the events, people from different entities are able to exchange information and make connections: government, in-house, corporate, and public interest attorneys are given the rare chance to share insights and ideas together at a single venue.
And finally, there is the invaluable knowledge and mentoring that comes from listening to an event's speaker share his or her story, career history, and advice.
In selecting guest speakers, Stacy and Kershek work with the sponsoring firms to look for a minority attorney who ideally has taken a unique career path. They also strive to find speakers from different ethnicities practicing in different areas of the law who can inspire an audience by describing his or her upward trajectory and experience as a person of color in the legal profession. Past speakers have included Deborah Lee, president and CEO of BET Entertainment; the Hon. Ricardo Urbina of the United States District Court for DC; and Larry Irving, former assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce.
"We are proud of our success to date and want to be sure we don't do too much too soon," says Kershek. "We want to concentrate on meeting the needs and goals of the associates and other attorney attendees on hand in order to build a solid foundation and to help ensure the continuation of these types of programs in DC. In the future, we'll think about expanding the program, maybe by adding more focused panel-type discussions on professional development and mentoring."
(L to R): Beth Jeffries of Morgan Lewis & Bockius; Karyn Thomas of Arent Fox; Jennifer Streaks of Legg Mason; and another event attendee.
Beth Jeffries, director of human resources at series sponsor Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and a member of the series task force planning committee, says, "This is a wonderful, and much-needed program for attorneys of color. Networking is a key aspect that they all seem to enjoy."
"Lawyers who have attended the events appreciate how the forum provides an excellent opportunity for them to learn from attorneys, CEOs, and professors who are enthusiastic about sharing examples of their career development and challenges," adds Jeffries, who collaborates with committee members, identifies keynote speakers, and assists in developing initiatives and programs for the networking series. "We have been fortunate to have had speakers who have been passionate and inspiring in their messages."
The most recent event held on April 11 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill attracted a mix of mostly young, minority attorneys from law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Backed by an unparalleled view of the Capitol dome, the buzzing crowd of approximately 200 caught up and talked shop as waiters poured drinks and passed hors d'oeuvres.
"It's an opportunity to make contacts and learn where my skills might be useful," says early bird arrival Desiree D. Woodard, who came directly from the nearby Library of Congress, where she is currently employed as a copyright examiner. A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law, Woodard is considering reentering the legal profession.
After 40 minutes of networking, attendees quieted to hear engaging guest speaker Yale Law School Dean Harold Hongju Koh reflect on his life and career as a Korean American attorney. Koh spoke of the importance of giving back and stressed minority attorneys' obligation to serve all minority communities, including the gay and lesbian community, and to speak out for diversity because no place can be truly excellent without it. When Koh finished his talk, networking resumed.
Alexander T. H. Nguyen came partly because he graduated from the Yale Law School in 2003 and was familiar with the charismatic academic speaker, but also because he is new to Washington and eager to meet other local Asian American attorneys.
"Before coming to DC several months ago, I lived in Chicago, where I regularly attended MCCA events," says Nguyen, a litigator with Kirkland & Ellis LLP. "Now that I'm here, I am excited to meet other minority and Asian American attorneys, many of whom clearly excel in the courtroom. I think there is a perception that Asian American attorneys are found mainly in the corporate environment because they aren't sufficiently aggressive to litigate, but judging from the attendees here, that is clearly inaccurate."
John Huynh Brown, a real estate associate with Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, worked the room strictly to make contacts.
"This series offers an additional venue for minority attorneys to connect with other young colleagues, create a network, and build relationships with new clients," says Brown. "I see it as an additional opportunity to help me get ahead."
In total, there will be four events in 2006: two speaker/networking events, one mentoring event (one-on-one mini-exchanges similar to speed dating), and a brown bag luncheon with a substantive topic such as business development. Planners anticipate a sustained level of enthusiasm from attendees.
"The attendance levels demonstrate that people felt the need for the series," says Arnold & Porter's William Cook. "Friends from firms, corporations, and the government who don't know that I'm connected with the DC Minority Attorneys Networking Series frequently recommend that I attend, and attendees at events seem very pleased with the program, so we feel very good about that."
Patrick Folliard is a freelance writer based in Silver Spring, Md.
From the July/August 2006 issue of Diversity & The Bar®