Dallas Office hosts Perspectives and Pathways 1L Diversity Conference

Sixty-five first-year students representing 20 law schools met in Dallas for Jones Day’s Sixth Annual Perspectives and Pathways Diversity Conference. The event, which ran March 3 – 5, is designed to give diverse first-year students a better perspective of the many opportunities and pathways to a successful career and introduce them to Jones Day’s culture and community

A Friday evening reception was followed by a robust Saturday agenda that started with a welcome from the Firm’s Managing Partner, Greg Shumaker, and Dallas Partner-in-Charge, Hilda Galvan. Other highlights included breakfast with representatives from Jones Day’s Firmwide affinity groups, a panel discussion with young associates on “Navigating Law Firm Life,” a writing workshop led by Issues & Appeals Practice Leader Traci Lovitt, a skills workshop on negotiation, and a panel on judicial clerkships. The keynote luncheon speaker was Regina Jones, Chief Legal Officer for Baker Hughes, one of the world's largest energy companies. Her message focusing on success and determination was inspiring for students and lawyers alike. In all, 25 Jones Day lawyers and staff participated in the conference.

"This was perhaps our best conference ever," said Yvette McGee Brown, Jones Day's Partner-in-Charge of Diversity, Inclusion & Advancement. “We had a very impressive group of engaged and interesting students. They liked interacting with our lawyers and genuinely enjoyed the presentations. It was great to see them interacting with each other, developing contacts and friendships that will last long after the conference is over. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

The 65 attending student were selected from nearly 270 applicants, who were required to submit a resume, academic transcripts, and a 500-word essay on why diversity is important to them. Jones Day paid all expenses for the two-day conference.