Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

More than one half of Patterson Belknap’s attorneys are devoted to litigation. The litigating partners at Patterson Belknap have tried hundreds of cases, including many of the most complex in their fields. One client has described us as "courtroom artisans." We are not afraid to go to trial, and our clients—and our adversaries—know it. We are accustomed not only to trying cases, but to delivering the results our clients want and that cases merit. In many situations of course, settlement may be the best option. In those instances, our reputation and track record should enhance our clients' chances for a favorable settlement.

Our leadership in litigation is recognized in Chambers USA. The guide notes that "This team 'consistently delivers high-caliber work' which attracts long-standing clients. The team consists of 'smart and aggressive litigators who deliver excellent results time and time again'." In addition, Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC’s Benchmark Litigation has included the firm in its national rankings, and recognized the firm in its top category, “Highly Recommended," for New York Litigation. Our practice is also recognized nationally in the U.S. News / Best Lawyers survey of "Best Law Firms," and also ranked in the top tier in New York.

We represent Fortune 500 corporations, including multinational pharmaceutical manufacturers, media conglomerates, and financial services institutions. In addition, we represent foreign governments, state-owned enterprises, major banks, brokerage firms, pension funds, insurance companies, individual officers and directors of large companies, major investors, entrepreneurs, and closely held corporations.

The kinds of commercial cases our firm handles are just as broad: contract disputes, antitrust matters, accounting litigation, class actions, securities and commodities cases, insurance coverage litigation, employment litigation, real estate suits, and disputes among corporate shareholders.

Resolving Contract Disputes

Patterson Belknap litigators frequently represent parties to contracts such as loan agreements, letters of credit, shareholder and partnership agreements, merger agreements, investment contracts, licensing agreements, and employment contracts, as well as contracts involving the purchase or sale of a product or service. When those disputes cannot be resolved through negotiations, they must be resolved through ADR processes or in court.

For example, for more than eight years, we represented Cendant, formerly one of the world’s largest providers of travel and real estate services, in its litigation with its former auditor. Our lawyers successfully defended against the accounting firm’s motion to dismiss our client’s claims. With billions of dollars at stake, the now-settled case was the largest client lawsuit against a Big Four accounting firm for audit malpractice pending in the country at that time.

In another matter, following a trial in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, two subsidiaries of our client, a major financial services company, were completely vindicated against a claim that they had breached their contractual obligations to provide credit protection in a portfolio credit derivative deal gone sour. The holding of the case has significant implications for the monoline insurance industry.

In a particularly interesting matter, we defended a major media company, against a claim alleging breach of an agreement to publish a Chinese-language version of Institutional Investor magazine. The dismissal was noteworthy because it was based entirely on the defense's presentation of a pattern of discovery abuses and other misconduct by the plaintiff during the discovery process. We determined that the plaintiff had falsified certain receipts for which it claimed damages and requested originals of all of the plaintiff's documents. When the plaintiff could not produce all of its originals, the court agreed with our client that the plaintiff's fabrications, failure to produce originals, and false representations mandated dismissal of the entire case.

Other significant contract disputes include:

• Obtained a TRO that led to a favorable settlement on the first morning of trial for our client, a public communications company. The case involved our client’s claim that the defendant had breached an agreement to provide capacity on an undersea cable between Puerto Rico and St. Croix. The judge wrote a seven-page opinion granting the TRO we requested (an opinion on a TRO is highly unusual) and scheduled a hearing on the preliminary injunction. The parties settled on the morning of trial.
   
• Represented a major test preparation company and its founder in a litigation brought by an early contributor to the company. That individual was trying to avoid an agreement settling prior disputes on the grounds of duress and to enforce another agreement concerning obligations to pay royalties on certain books. The firm obtained summary judgment on the duress claim and most other claims. The breach of contract claim went to a jury trial in a New York State trial court and was settled on the fourth day of trial.
   
• Represented a major pharmaceutical company in a series of arbitrations involving various alleged breaches of a license agreement for a blockbuster new drug;
   
• Defended a complex litigation involving RICO claims and an alleged breach of a joint venture agreement arising out of a drug development partnership;
   
• Represented a client in a reinsurance litigation involving a $46 million bond;
   
• Often representing lenders in connection with failed loans to borrowers, in foreclosure actions and related proceedings.

Litigation Over Securities, Commodities, Derivatives And Other Financial Instruments

The firm has frequently been called to aid financial institutions in the investigation of investment transactions gone wrong. In one, described by The Wall Street Journal as "one of the more spectacular frauds in recent years," the firm conducted a global investigation on behalf of a major international insurance company of a complex fraud scheme involving the sale of vouchers and options for the privatization of state-owned enterprises in Azerbaijan. Since completion of the investigation, the firm has led the prosecution of fraud claims against the investment banking house which launched the transaction and its principal in courts in the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, London, and the United States on behalf of that insurance company, a leading university and an array of investment funds.

Working jointly with investigators, firm attorneys identified approximately $80 million in assets belonging directly or indirectly to the perpetrators. Litigation was launched with a series of asset freeze orders delivered in courts around the world which froze the defendants' assets.

The firm also represented a money center bank in an important arbitration concerning a Canadian bank's acquisition of an ownership interest in our client. This arbitration focused on questions of valuation of collateral held by an escrow agent while the sales transaction was pending. While most analysts gave our client's position short shrift, we prevailed in the arbitration, winning a multi-million dollar award for our client.

The firm prosecuted a series of multinational arbitrations and lawsuits on behalf of several foreign governments and recovered millions of dollars for our clients that had been held in numerous bank accounts.

We are handling an ever-increasing number of lawsuits—and internal investigations—involving violations of federal securities and commodities laws, as well as state shareholder and fraud statutes. The matters involved have spanned a wide range of financial instruments, including common and preferred stock issues, futures contracts, options, corporate and government bonds, notes, partnership interests, derivatives, and swaps. Our practice has included class actions, shareholder derivative suits, and individual claims. Patterson Belknap also has been involved in NASD and Stock Exchange arbitrations and both civil and criminal investigations. For example, we:

• Represented an international oil company in connection with an investigation and potential litigation against major brokerage firms arising out of over $100 million in losses on oil futures trading.
   
• Counseled a financial services company in threatened litigation relating to the sale of its credit card business for an amount in excess of $1.3 billion by bondholders claiming default triggering acceleration of $1.1 billion of debt.
   
• Defended a brokerage firm in a class action charging that leases were securities sold in violation of federal securities laws.
   
• Defended a shareholder derivative suit against a Fortune 500 company that challenged the compensation package given to a departing chief executive officer who had resigned under fire.

Class Actions

The firm represents defendants in federal and state class action suits.  In these cases, we handle all aspects of the litigation, including class motions, discovery of the class representative, class notice, and dispositive motions.

Our practice in this area has spanned a diverse range of substantive law issues, including federal securities laws, state shareholder laws, fiduciary duty issues, antitrust concerns, pension laws, false advertising, and products liability laws.  For example, we have represented clients in class actions involving:

• Obtained a significant trial victory for a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in the In re Pharmaceutical Industry Average Wholesale Price Litigation, 2007 WL 1774644 (D. Mass. 2007).  In this class action litigation, plaintiffs alleged that all major pharmaceutical manufacturers published false average wholesale prices, resulting in overpayment for drugs by insurance companies and Medicare.  After a bench trial, the judge concluded that while the other defendants’ conduct violated Massachusetts consumer protection laws, our client’s conduct was lawful.
   
• Secured directed verdict on behalf of a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in multi-defendant Sherman Act class action trial and argued appeal before Seventh Circuit on behalf of all manufacturers.  In re Brand Name Prescription Drugs Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 997 (N.D. Ill.)  This litigation arose from allegedly anti-competitive pricing in the brand name prescription pharmaceutical market.
   
• Lead counsel for a Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in defense of 13 nationwide class actions brought in both federal and state courts asserting illegal monopolization based on alleged improper procurement and enforcement of patents relating to an OTC product.  After extensive procedural wrangling including a removal to federal court and contesting class certification, ended case by persuading all plaintiffs' counsel that their theories of liability were meritless. 
   
• Won a crucial victory for the owner of a major sports club chain in Massachusetts’ highest court, when, in a closely watched case, the court departed from long-standing precedent and dismissed a consumer class action that had been brought against the fitness club chain.  After summary judgment was granted to our client, the Massachusetts high court sua sponte seized jurisdiction over the case.  The court affirmed the firm's win below, leading to significant change in the law of consumer class actions in Massachusetts.
   
• Lead counsel for a major international media company in defense of antitrust class actions alleging nationwide price-fixing conspiracy involving all major publishers.  Secured no-damages settlement approved by the Court.

Litigating Accounting-Related Matters

Patterson Belknap's trial lawyers are well-versed in complex accounting issues, and we regularly represent clients in accounting-related litigation.  The firm handles cases over managed earnings issues, overstated assets, and failure to take adequate reserves.  In addition, we have:

• Represented directors of a major communications company in a lawsuit contending that the corporation's assets were overstated.
   
• Conducted an investigation, on behalf of a cosmetics concern, of potential claims arising out of a multimillion dollar write-down of corporate assets.
   
• Defended a major bank against charges that its loan portfolios were insufficiently reserved.

Employment Litigation:  Noncompete Agreements, Trade Secrets, And More

The firm frequently represents employers and senior level executives in disputes over noncompete agreements and trade secrets.  For instance, we are representing a medical device company in related contemporaneous preliminary injunction actions in various jurisdictions to enforce covenants not to compete against former employers and their new employer, a competitor-raider.

In addition, we have:

• Obtained a verdict for a securities firm in an action against the former president of its subsidiary based on a pre-resignation solicitation of staff and misappropriation of confidential documents.
   
• Defended a financial services company in an action by a brokerage firm alleging conspiracy with a former employee to misappropriate trade secrets.
   
• Represented a law firm in an action against former partners based on their alleged pre-resignation solicitation of clients and staff and misappropriation of confidential documents.

Patterson Belknap's employment litigation experience extends beyond these areas, too. We represented an investment banking firm in a "glass ceiling" case and represent employers in litigation over benefits, ERISA matters and independent contractor issues. The firm also has represented defendants in a class action alleging race-based discrimination in hiring and promotion.

From Price-Fixing To Safety Codes: Antitrust Litigation

When 40,000 retail druggists filed a $45 billion lawsuit against the 24 largest drug manufacturers in a complex Sherman antitrust class action involving the pricing of brand name prescription drugs, our client, a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer, refused to participate in a $723 million settlement.

A handful of defendants went to trial with our client.  After hearing 10 weeks of testimony, a trial judge in Chicago entered a verdict against the plaintiff class.  Patterson Belknap, which had one of the lead roles in organizing the defense effort at trial, also argued the class appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

The lawyers in Patterson Belknap's complex commercial litigation practice group regularly represent large corporations and other clients in lawsuits involving antitrust issues, from mergers and other business combinations to pricing, product distribution, safety codes and standards, and alleged misuses of patents.  We have defended and prosecuted treble damage actions in diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, cable television, diagnostic reagents and instruments, household cleaners, electronic calculators, and industrial heating and ventilation equipment, and have represented clients in federal grand jury and criminal proceedings and before the Federal Trade Commission and various other federal and state administrative agencies. Moreover, the firm is active in civil antitrust litigation in federal and state courts.

In addition to the brand name prescription drug case, the firm has:

• Represented a major financial institution in an antitrust lawsuit brought by another financial services company. In this follow-on suit to a Department of Justice case, the plaintiff sought damages for injuries allegedly suffered as a result of certain credit card rules. The plaintiff also joined numerous banks, including our client, alleging that they conspired to exclude the plaintiff from the bank-issuing card market.  The case subsequently settled. 
   
• Argued before the United States Supreme Court on vertical restraint issues relating to the marketing of electronic equipment.
   
• Represented a professional society in the United States Supreme Court and lower courts against charges of antitrust violations that stemmed from allegedly anti-competitive manipulation of its safety code program.
   
• Represented the largest U.S. magazine publisher in a major private antitrust class action involving magazine publishing subscriptions.
   
• Represented interested parties in contested corporate acquisitions in the medical device and publishing industries.
   
• Represented the defendant in an antitrust and patent infringement action involving flooring products.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

 

Promoting diversity within the firm and the legal profession has been central to our mission for years.

 

Over 20 years ago, Patterson Belknap was one of the first major firms to elect a woman as its Managing Partner.  We work to continue that tradition where women and minority lawyers thrive and succeed.

 

• In 2012, Patterson Belknap scored a 100% rating in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index.
• Women In Law Empowerment Forum, accorded Patterson Belknap its Gold Standard Certification for demonstrating a meaningful presence and integration of women into our highest leadership positions.
• In 2011, Patterson Belknap was recognized as one of the top companies in America for gay, lesbian and transgender attorneys by Work Life Magazine.  

 

As Co-Chair of the Firm and Managing Partner Bob LoBue has said, "For far too long, the door to practicing in the top ranks of our profession was open only to a privileged few.  That is changing for the better, and Patterson Belknap is both a beneficiary and a strong supporter of diversity.  We will continue to cultivate an atmosphere of civility, dignity and mutual respect in which all of our attorneys and staff are welcome and can flourish."

 

RECRUITING & OUR DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP

 

Our commitment to a diverse workplace begins by actively recruiting women and minority law school students. Accordingly, we partner with a wide range of student affinity groups at various law schools to present informative programs about opportunities both at Patterson Belknap and in the legal profession more broadly and engage in open conversation with interested law school students who are thinking about working in a law firm environment. We also strongly encourage applications from lateral associates of color and other diverse backgrounds.

 

As a part of our recruiting efforts, we constantly seek candidates who not only distinguish themselves through their accomplishments, but who have interesting life and work experiences. We welcome you to take the time to ask questions and to get to know us. At Patterson Belknap, we make every effort to retain and promote people who will contribute their myriad talents and backgrounds to create a successful firm of which we can be proud.

 

To learn more about Recruiting and working at Patterson Belknap, please visit our Careers section by clicking here.

 

 

 

THE PATTERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER LLP DIVERSITY FELLOWSHIP

 

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP believes that a workforce made up of people from diverse social, racial, economic and cultural backgrounds results in a dynamic and supportive workplace for our attorneys and staff and enhances our ability to provide the highest-quality representation for and service to our clients. As part of our ongoing commitment to recruiting, retaining and promoting attorneys who contribute to the diversity of our firm and our profession, we are pleased to offer the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship.

 

The Fellowship Program

 

The Fellowship, which includes an award of up to $15,000, will be offered to an exceptional rising second-year law student who shows the promise both of becoming an outstanding attorney and of contributing meaningfully to the diversity of Patterson Belknap and the legal community. The Fellowship will be awarded in the course of the regular fall recruiting season for summer associate positions and the Fellow will participate in the regular summer associate program at the Firm in the year after the Fellowship is awarded.

 

In addition to a paid position as a 2L summer associate, the Fellow will receive $5,000 on the first day as a 2L summer associate, $5,000 upon acceptance of an offered position as an associate at Patterson Belknap and $5,000 on the first day of joining the firm as an associate.

 

Eligibility

 

The recipient of the Fellowship must demonstrate academic excellence and leadership abilities, together with personal and professional accomplishments and a commitment to community service. The recipient should demonstrate the potential to be successful in the legal profession and to be a meaningful contributor to the diversity of our firm and the legal community. All applicants must be entering their second year in good standing pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at an ABA accredited law school.

 

We will accept applications for the 2013 Fellowship until July 20, 2012. We encourage you to submit an application as soon as possible. You may send your first-year law school transcript after you receive it. Applications must include:

 

 

1.     Cover letter stating that you are applying for the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship;

2.     Resume;

3.     Official or unofficial transcript (photocopy and/or online version) of law school grades;

4.     A personal statement of no more than 500 words describing your interest in the Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP Diversity Fellowship and how you would contribute to the diversity of our firm and the legal profession, including any past contributions that you have made to the legal community; and

5.     A writing sample.

 

All materials should be sent by email and/or regular mail to the attention of:

 

Ms. Robin Klum

Director of Professional Development

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

1133 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (212) 336-2733

 

 

INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

 

Patterson Belknap also believes that it has a role to play in increasing the diversity of the legal profession as a whole. Hence, the Firm has engaged in a number of “pipeline” endeavors to increase the number of minorities pursuing careers in the law by mentoring and encouraging minority students with an interest in law beginning at an early age.

 

 

·         For a number of years, the Firm has partnered with Legal Outreach, an organization which prepares urban youth from underserved communities in New York City to compete at high academic levels by using intensive legal and educational programs. The firm is a key supporter of Legal Outreach’s “College to Law School Pipeline Diversity Program”, “Summer Law Institutes” and “Summer Internship Program” which are designed to mentor minority junior high and high school students who have an interest in pursuing a legal education. Through these programs, numerous Patterson Belknap attorneys have coached Legal Outreach students in mock trials and oral argument programs, delivered workshops to introduce students to different aspects of the law and served as individual mentors to students.

 

·         One of our partners serves as a board member of PALS - Practicing Attorneys for Law Students - an organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the legal profession. We have also co-hosted panel discussions and events with PALS to support young minority attorneys in their career development.

 

·         For a number of years, Patterson Belknap has mentored students from Flushing High School in the annual Metropolitan Mentor Moot Court and NYSBA Statewide Mock Trial competitions. Patterson Belknap attorneys meet weekly with the students in the Fall (for moot court) and Spring (for mock trial) to coach them on all aspects of preparing for the competition – from brainstorming the issues presented in the fact pattern, to drafting examination questions and oral arguments. The students gain confidence in their public speaking skills, and meaningful, fun exposure to litigation.

 

 

OUT AT PATTERSON

 

Mission

 

Out at Patterson is an affinity group for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) attorneys at Patterson Belknap. We meet on a monthly basis to discuss issues of common interest, to foster a sense of community, to socialize as colleagues, and to assist in the firm's efforts to recruit, retain and promote qualified LGBT attorneys.

          

Message from the Chair of Out at Patterson

 

"I have found Patterson Belknap to be very welcoming of its LGBT attorneys and staff since my arrival in 1985. In addition to my involvement with Out at Patterson, I also chair our Benefits Committee, where we strive, in all our employee benefit arrangements, to recognize the needs of our LGBT employees. As an employee benefits lawyer, I have been grateful to be able to work to design programs intended to provide for the fairest available treatment of same-sex spouses, domestic partners and their children, and to work toward changes in the law to benefit LGBT families."

 -- David M. Glaser

Partner and Co-Chair, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group

Chair, Out at Patterson

 

Our Pro Bono Service and Scholarship

 

Patterson Belknap has a strong record of pro bono service and scholarship on behalf of LGBT clients and related concerns. Our work has included:

 

·                 Numerous successful representations of LGBT refugees in the United States seeking asylum because of persecution in their home countries.

 

·                 Preparation of comprehensive analyses of disparate tax treatment of same sex spouses in light of the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

 

·                 Numerous articles published by Patterson Belknap attorneys regarding treatment of same sex spouses and partners, and related presentations.

 

Our Leadership

 

 "Patterson Belknap fosters an inclusive and affirming work environment for lawyers, staff and their families. The support of our LGBT colleagues is reflected in our work, our policies and our firm culture. We believe this diversity broadens our understanding of clients' needs and enables us to deliver superior service."

-- Richard R. Upton, Partner

Co-Chair, Tax Group

Co-Chair, Diversity Committee

 

Our Community

 

 "Patterson Belknap takes a comprehensive approach to LGBT issues that goes well beyond the implementation of policies important to LGBT attorneys and staff. The firm strives to ensure that an atmosphere of inclusiveness permeates all aspects of firm life and that diversity is celebrated, not merely tolerated. By its commitment to recruiting and promoting LGBT attorneys, and to advocating on behalf of LGBT clients and issues important to our community, Patterson Belknap shows a true dedication to fully incorporating LGBT attorneys and staff into the firm's culture."

-- Matthew Shepherd, Counsel

 

"Patterson Belknap's inclusive atmosphere, which has always warmly welcomed my partner and me, is why I'm here. I believe genuine progress on LGBT issues takes more than just policies. In my experience, Patterson Belknap strives to take these extra steps."

--  Karen R. Berry, Counsel

 

"Patterson Belknap is inclusive and conscientious in all the ways that matter to LGBT attorneys. That's just one of the reasons the firm is a terrific place to practice."

-- Travis J. Tu, Partner

 

 

PATTERSON ATTORNEYS OF COLOR

 

About PAC

 

Patterson Belknap is committed to employing a diverse workforce of attorneys and staff. We consider a diverse workforce to include people of all social, racial, economic and cultural backgrounds. The firm also believes that a diverse group of legal talent provides the most substantial, thorough and comprehensive representation for any client.

 

PAC is one of the firm's resources for cultivating an environment that enables attorneys of color to develop skills and grow as lawyers. PAC was formed in 2001 in part to help enhance the sense of community among attorneys of color, and provide an important way for them to connect with each other and the world outside the firm.

 

 PAC attorneys meet formally once a month to discuss issues of common interest, to foster a sense of community and to socialize as colleagues. In addition, PAC assists the firm with the recruitment, retention and promotion of attorneys of color to enhance workplace diversity. Its members participate in on-site recruiting events at law schools and sit on both the hiring and diversity committees.

 

Our Community

 

 

“I am continuously impressed by Patterson's commitment to the growth of its associates and the firm; growth in diversity, growth in character, and growth in skill and professionalism."

-- Lia Marie Brooks

Class of 2008

 

"I feel fortunate to be at Patterson Belknap, where I am surrounded by a community of colleagues who are not only inspiring, but also a pleasure to work with. 'Collegiality' is not just a buzzword here—the firm is truly dedicated to making Patterson a rewarding place to work for people of all backgrounds."

-- Jean L. Tom

Class of 2002

 

"What makes Patterson an especially pleasant environment to work at is the firm's recognition that our different backgrounds allow us to make unique contributions to the practice of law and add to the character of the firm."

-- Muhammad Faridi

Class of 2007

 

 "The firm's commitment to diversity stems naturally from its commitment to excellence. Patterson understands that each lawyer's individual background and experiences add significant value not only to the environment of the firm but the quality of its work product."

-- Solmaz F. Firoz

Class of 2010

 

"Patterson's commitment to excellence is rivaled only by its commitment to seeing that each and every new lawyer succeeds. In large part, success at Patterson is measured by how much you are truly enjoying the practice of law."

-- Travis J. Tu

Class of 2003

 

 "I am grateful to be part of a law firm that combines excellence in the practice of law with a strong commitment to diversity and a culture of collegiality. Patterson is simply a wonderful place to work."

-- Nishka Chandrasoma

Class of 2006

 

"Diversity is more than a catch-phrase at Patterson; it's an integral part of the Firm's culture.  Patterson recognizes that every attorney at the firm - from the most senior partner to the most junior associate - brings something unique and valuable to the table.  It's a fundamental part of Patterson's ability to provide the highest level of service to its clients as well as create an atmosphere that fosters collegiality and attorney growth and development."

-- Herman H. Yue

Class of 2007

 

WOMEN LAWYERS AT PATTERSON

 

About WLAP

 

Women Lawyers at Patterson (WLAP) was created in the Spring of 2006, following a discussion at a monthly Associates Committee meeting about the need for women lawyers at the firm to have a forum and affinity group to address issues of professional development, internal and external networking, and firm issues that might resonate particularly with women lawyers. The idea was met with uniform enthusiasm from partners and associates. Shelly Korman, the then managing partner of the firm, convened a few women partners, associates and counsel for the first meeting, and WLAP was born.

 

WLAP organizes bi-monthly gatherings for the women of the firm. The agenda for each gathering is set by a shifting group of volunteer WLAP steering committee members. Each volunteer planning group serves for 3-4 meetings and then the responsibility is rotated to a new group. Laura Butzel acts as the partner chair. Since 2006, WLAP gatherings have included:

 

·                 Informal dinners and get-togethers at partners' homes;

 

·                 Practical workshops on communication and business development for women lawyers;

 

·                 Panels of women partners and counsel discussing their career decisions and trajectories; and

 

·                 A group conversation with the woman President of the City Bar Association.

 

 Each year, WLAP also schedules at least one informal, social event and one substantive gathering to include summer associates.

 

 "As a young woman entering the legal profession, I was fortunate to find some wonderful mentors, both female and male, at Patterson. They took a sincere interest in my career development and have supported my endeavors even after I moved on to other things."

-- Kim Sweet, Executive Director, Advocates for Children

 

"WLAP has promoted an open conversation among women lawyers about many issues, ranging from discussions about different career paths taken by women lawyers, to the importance of mentoring and support networks. Most importantly, WLAP has encouraged the point of view that there are countless paths for women lawyers to take as professionals, and that time spent listening to and learning from one another enriches all of our professional lives."

-- Lisa E. Cleary, Partner

 

OUR DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

 

Our Diversity Committee consists of partners, counsel and associates, our Managing Partner, and the Co-Chair of the firm's Hiring Committee. The Committee meets regularly to discuss ways to continue to enhance diversity at Patterson Belknap, retain minority and women associates and increase diversity at the partner level.

 

Committee members attend external CLE classes and programs to help generate innovative ideas for accomplishing our goal of an increasingly diverse workplace. The Committee works hand-in-hand with the firm's Management Committee to implement diversity training for partners, associates and staff. It has also undertaken a diversity assessment as a basis for future diversity initiatives. Members also participate in the New York City Bar's Diversity Working Sessions and sit on its Committee for Improving Diversity in the Profession.

 

 

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