Welcome to the Pathfinder Newsletter
“Pathways” is distributed to current and alumni Pathfinders each quarter and features program news and information, alerts of upcoming events, updates on your fellow Pathfinders, and other resources to help you get the most out of your involvement in the LCLD Pathfinder Program. Past Pathways newsletters are archived on the LCLD website.
We want to hear from you! If you received a promotion, changed jobs, are engaged in community service, or have a practice-related publication, we want to share it. If you plan to host a Pathfinder Meet-Up, or are attending an event and want to connect with other Pathfinders while traveling, let us know. Email newsletter submissions to Communications Specialist Caitlin Puffenberger or Program Coordinator Walt Lohmann.
In this Issue:
- Personal Announcements
- Keeping in Touch
- 2017 Pathfinders: Need to Know
- Pathfinder Events
- In the Spotlight
- You Asked, Fellows Answered
- Worth a Read
- Events and Opportunities of Interest
2017 Pathfinder Second Meeting in Washington, D.C. From left to right: Erika Lopes-McLeman, Kyle DeThomas, and Stephanie Tennant.
Announcements
Did You Know?
There are lots of ways you can be involved in growing the Pathfinder Alumni community.
2017 Pathfinder Kate Harmon has been selected by the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association to be a member of the Fellows Program for the 2017-2019 class. This program represents a commitment by the Business Law Section to encourage the participation of young lawyers, lawyers of color, LGBT lawyers and lawyers with disabilities in Section activities.
2017 Pathfinder Jennifer Holmes is now with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.
2017 Pathfinder Kelsey Williams is now Senior Associate Editor, Practical Law, at Thomson Reuters.
2016 Pathfinder Daniel Garcia is now at Perkins Coie LLP.
2016 Pathfinder Dylan Hix is now Staff Attorney with Disability Rights North Carolina.
2016 Pathfinder Simone Randolph is now Associate at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP.
2015 Pathfinder Mariska Richards is now Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.
Pathfinder Alumni gathered in Washington, D.C. earlier this fall for the first annual LCLD Pathfinder Alumni Meeting. Read more about the event here.
Keeping in Touch
3 SIMPLE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED
- Use the Pathfinder Directory: In town or when you travel, use the directory to reach out to Pathfinders and Pathfinder Alumni and connect whenever you get the chance.
- Take the Lead: The Alumni community is new and opportunities exist for you to create the type of Alumni community you want. Take the lead and design an event—better yet, grab some other Pathfinders and do it together. Click here to reach out to Pathfinders who have volunteered to plan next year's Alumni meeting and/or lead activities in their city/region.
- Stay in Touch: Publish an article? Speak at a conference? Send that news to LCLD so we can share your successes with your colleagues in the Pathways newsletter. Also, don't forget to update your Pathfinder Directory Profile so others know how to get in touch with you.
Join the LCLD Pathfinders LinkedIn group to engage with other Pathfinders on relevant topics. You can also like LCLD on Facebook, and follow LCLD President Robert Grey and Program Director Lori Lorenzo on Twitter for news on diversity in the legal profession.
2017 Pathfinders: Need to Know!
PATHFINDER SECOND MEETING RESOURCES
We hope you enjoyed your final in-person meeting last week! Click here to review the speakers' slides and handouts, as well as a photo gallery from the meeting. You will also find contact information for faculty, should you have questions about any of the materials.
WAX MUSEUM PHOTO BOOTH
Some of you had the chance to meet “the Obamas” in Washington, D.C. last week. If you'd like a copy of your photo, please email Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com.
ACCESSING E-MODULES
You will still be able to refer back to your e-modules until the end of March. However, action assignments and other related materials will only be available until the end of November. Click here to access the Pathfinder E-Module Portal.
Pathfinder Events & Opportunities
LCLD NEEDS YOUR FEEDBACK!
LCLD recently launched the inaugural LCLD Pathfinder Alumni Survey. The results of this survey will help strengthen the Pathfinder Program, develop a strong Alumni community, and ensure that LCLD is providing you with the best resources to develop your careers. Click here to take the survey before December 8, 2017.
2018 PATHFINDER SELECTION OPENS: December 1, 2017
The selection period for 2018 Pathfinders runs from December 1 to January 18. Please consider helping your organization think through their Pathfinder selection for next year. Click here for resources and the program and details on the selection process.
PHILADELPHIA-AREA LCLD EVENT: Philadelphia, PA - December 5, 2017
All Philadelphia-area Pathfinders, Fellows, and any other like-minded individuals that you want to introduce to the LCLD community are invited to a social gathering on Tuesday, December 5, at Urban Farmer (1 Logan Circle) from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Please RSVP to 2016 Fellow Marissa Parker at mparker@stradley.com by December 4. You are also encouraged to bring diapers, winter clothing/shoes, or school supplies to benefit Cradles to Crayons, which provides essential items to homeless and low-income children. Please contact 2015 Fellow Jeanine Conley at jconley@littler.com with any questions about Cradles to Crayons.
The LCLD community in Philadelphia is also looking for ways to meaningfully interact in 2018, beyond a happy hour. Possible opportunities are a service event, a GC-focused dine-around, and/or a family-friendly weekend event. If you have suggestions or are interested, please reach out to Fellows Alumni Philadelphia Area Co-Leads Marissa Parker at mparker@stradley.com or Jeanine Conley at jconley@littler.com.
In the Spotlight: Charys Williams
2017 Pathfinder Charys Williams is a southern California native and natural lover of sunshine. She is on the Legal Operations team at Walmart, focusing on the legal department’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. Charys also acts as one of Walmart’s LCLD Diversity Professionals. Before moving to Arkansas and joining Walmart, she was Director for Part-time Faculty Personnel Administration at George Washington University.
Learn more about Charys here.
For a chance to be chosen for the Pathfinder Spotlight, make sure your Pathfinder Directory Profile stands out and tells your story.
You Asked, Fellows Answered: How Do You Become Sponsor Ready?
There is a growing body of research and anecdotal evidence that shows sponsorship is critical to the success of women and minorities—particularly in a profession like the law. 2012 Fellow Jimmie McMillian, Senior Corporate Counsel at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, shared his thoughts on the advantages of sponsorship and how to make yourself sponsor ready. Read Jimmie’s advice here.
You can also check out these additional resources on sponsorship:
- Yes, You Need a Mentor, But a Sponsor Will Really Boost Your Career
- Mentors Are Good. Sponsors Are Better.
- If You Want to Advance Your Career, Find a Sponsor
To suggest a topic, email Communications Specialist Caitlin Puffenberger at cpuffenberger@lcldnet.com, and we'll solicit answers from the LCLD Fellows.
Worth a Read
Black on Bay Street, The Globe and Mail
“I was a lawyer and I belonged there. But it felt like I had to prove it more, while others got the benefit of the doubt.” Hadiya Roderique reflects on her path to a top-tier Canadian law firm and the challenges of belonging as a female minority lawyer. Read the full article here.
Events and Opportunities of Interest
U.S. TAX REFORM: ARE YOU AND YOUR CLIENTS READY: Webinar - November 13, 2017 | 1.5 credit hours
Click here for more information and to register.
OPTIMIZING YOUR NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES: Washington, D.C. or online - November 13, 2017
Get tips on managing your career, building your brand, leveraging your network, and driving your career's success. The event is open to all, but remarks will be framed for women antitrust and consumer protection professionals. Click here for more information and to register.
PASSION & PURPOSE: THE SECRETS OF GRITTY WOMEN: Washington, D.C. - November 30, 2017
For good reasons, grit has become a popular topic. But it's often misunderstood. Three grit experts and authors will provide insights from their own research. Following the event, there will be a happy hour to connect and socialize with other gritty women in the profession. Click here for more information and to register.
EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, AND POWERFUL LEGAL WRITING: New York, NY or online - December 5, 2017 | 2 CLE credits
Click here for more information and to register.
CURRENT LEGAL ETHICAL ISSUES: New York, NY - December 7, 2017 | 2.5 CLE credits
Click here for more information and to register.
INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP = INTELLIGENT LEADERSHIP: THE NEXT LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP FOR 21ST CENTURY LEGAL WORKPLACES: New York, NY - January 17, 2017 | 2 CLE credits
Click here for more information and to register.
Questions?
If you have questions about the Pathfinder Program, email Program Coordinator Walt Lohmann or Program Director Lori Lorenzo. If you have questions, suggestions, or submissions for Pathways for Pathfinders, email Communications Specialist Caitlin Puffenberger.
