Law school students at a reception at Littler Mendelson P.C. in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jessica Sabesan)

October 20, 2016—After several years in the making, DLA Piper, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, and the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) kicked off the new initiative, Vision 10: Leveraging Networks, Customizing Success, at a reception sponsored by DLA Piper and Kirkland & Ellis at Kirkland’s Washington, D.C. office.

Motivated by feedback from 1L LCLD Scholars, the organizations worked together to create Vision 10 to address the needs of this talented group of law students beyond their first year in law school. This innovative initiative provides both mentoring and networking opportunities, and is designed to support 1L Scholars in the development of critical career management skills on the road from 2L to successful practice. Additionally, the students are empowered to choose their own attorney guide from a “Board of Directors,” who they can connect with during law school and into their early careers.

Vision 10 participants during a speed networking exercise.
(Photo by Nancy Richardson)

During the inaugural kick-off reception, a pilot group of Washington, D.C.-based 2016 1L LCLD Scholars and a Board of Directors (eight D.C.-based DLA Piper and Kirkland & Ellis attorneys) engaged in speed networking, got to know each other face-to-face, and made plans for future gatherings.

Going forward, the students also have the opportunity to reach out to as many of the board attorneys as they need. The Vision 10 pilot group will keep in touch through phone calls, lunch or coffee meetings, and monthly email communications on a range of topics to help students navigate law school and into their early career paths. Featured topics include self-awareness and aligning interests and talents with work; the changing landscape of law firm economics; responding to adversity, conflict, and unpleasant interactions; making the most of the summer associate experience; and more.

LCLD would like to thank Genhi Givings Bailey and Brenda Carr of DLA Piper, and Walt Lohmann of Kirkland & Ellis, for their involvement and execution in this new initiative. We also thank DLA Piper and Kirkland & Ellis for sponsoring the Vision 10 kick-off reception.

For more information about Vision 10, please email Nancy Richardson, LCLD Program Manager.