Street Law was presented with a check from ACC in support of the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA.

October 23, 2008 | Washington, DC/Seattle, WA

Street Law staff recently traveled to Seattle for ACC's 2008 Annual Meeting to recruit companies to participate in the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program.  The program, a national partnership between Street Law and the Association of Corporate Counsel, partners corporate legal departments with nearby, diverse high school law classes in an effort to engage the students, teach them more about civil law, and encourage them to consider careers in the legal profession. 

At the meeting, Street Law was presented with a contribution to develop a Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program with the Washington ACC chapter.  Lee Arbetman received the check on behalf of Street Law, Inc.

At a special awards luncheon, the Legal Department of Macy's, Inc. was presented with a diversity award for their exemplary participation in the Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program.  Read more about Macy's and the award in the press release below. 

For immediate release

This past week, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) presented the Matthew J. Whitehead, II Diversity Award to the Legal Department of Macy’s, Inc during its 2008 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. The award, which is given to corporate legal departments and in-house counsel that have proven dedication towards implementing outstanding diversity programs, recognized Macy’s, Inc.’s legal department for achieving the highest level of commitment to diversity within the in-house community, and for raising the standards of the corporate law department’s diversity efforts.

Under the leadership of Dennis Broderick, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, the law department has experienced significant growth with diversity initiatives. Macy’s legal departments in Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisco, Cincinnati and New York held pipeline programs in various high schools to teach diversity students about various areas of law and encourage them to consider careers in the legal profession. The program components included classroom visits, one-day conferences at a Macy’s location and in many instances mentoring, paid internships and scholarships. This is the second year that Macy’s will award a $500.00 award to one student from each of the schools the law department partnered with in the program.

“I commend Dennis Broderick and the Macy’s law department for their commitment to service and encouragement of high school students. Dennis was selected because of his commitment to furthering inhouse counsel diversity outreach efforts and for the company's dedication to providing knowledge and information to help the next generation,” said ACC President Frederick J. Krebs.

“Real progress on diversity in the legal profession depends on many factors, including among others a commitment from the leaders in our profession to lead the diversity charge, progressive recruiting, retention and promotional programs in our legal organizations that address the needs of minorities and, most fundamentally, a pipeline of minorities entering the profession,” stated Dennis Broderick, General Council, Macy’s Inc. Furthermore, added Broderick “Incenting minority students to enter college and law school is critical to the long term prospects of diversifying our profession. The Street Law Program exposes minority students in a very concrete, meaningful and hands on way to a career in law, and helps sustain the minority pipeline into the legal profession.”

Past ACC Matthew J. Whitehead, II Diversity Award winners include:

• Minority Corporate Counsel Association (2007)
• Joe Ryan, Marriott (2006)
• Rick Palmore, Sara Lee (2005)
• ACC’s Central Pennsylvania Chapter/Street Law Pipeline Project (2004)
• Maddie Kleiner, Hilton Hotels Legal Department (2003)
• Catherine Lamboley, General Counsel, Shell Oil (2002)
• Dupont Legal: Tom Sager and Stacey Mobley (2001)
• Co-winners: Charting Your Own Course Foundation: Marcia Goffney, Werten Bellamy, and Greg Winfree BellSouth Legal Department, Charles Morgan, General Counsel (2000)

About ACC

The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) is the only professional organization focused on the needs of in-house counsel. ACC promotes the common interests of its members, provides resources to help save, time money and effort, contributes to their continuing education and provides a voice on issues of national importance. With 25,000 members in over 80 countries, employed by over 10,000 organizations, ACC's community connects its members to the people and resources necessary for both personal and professional growth. By in-house counsel, for in-house counsel®

About Macy's

Macy's, Inc., the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by four regionally based retail divisions - Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Central, and Macy's West - and an online store at macys.com.

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Editor’s Note: Additional information and photographs available upon request. Please contact Susan Jacobsen at (202) 349-1509 or via email at jacobsen@acc.com.

Source: (Reproduced with permission)

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Corporate Legal Diversity Pipeline Program

Topic: Diversity