For the second consecutive year, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP has won the Sager Award by demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity. Its diversity committee implemented a unique mentorship program for diverse attorneys that connects mid–level associates and partners, and focuses on retention. “The goal of the program is to ease the transition of third–, fourth–, and fifth–year associates to the senior associate and partnership levels by setting strategies with partner mentors to meet realistic professional development goals,” explains Vivian Polak, the chair of the diversity committee. “We have twentyseven pairs of associates and partners in the program.”
The firm is also making strides in recruitment. Its Law School Ambassador Program, in its second year, connects diverse law students at selected schools with associate alumnae at the firm so they can explore ways to partner and connect with diverse law students. “It is our hope that this program solidifies our relationship with those schools, and the students can see our commitment to diversity,” shares Polak.
The sagging economy of the past year has not had an adverse effect on the firm’s diversity programs. “Most of our diversity work involves a commitment of hours, not dollars,” she notes. “One of our main areas of focus is retention. For our senior lawyers, we started a business development subcommittee that provides special training to give them client development opportunities in a down economy.”
As Dewey & LeBoeuf’s programs continue to grow and bear fruit, more recognition is sure to follow. “We are ecstatic to win the Sager Award again. It shows us that we are going in the right direction and really energizes our continued efforts for out–of–the–box thinking in this area,” Polak concludes. DB
From the November/December 2009 issue of Diversity & The Bar®