Affinity Groups
Bryan Cave’s lawyers actively participate in four affinity groups: Lawyers of Color, Lawyers with Alternative Schedules & Sites, LGBT Lawyers, and the Women’s Forum. The affinity groups serve as a valuable resource to their members and the firm. They foster a sense of community by providing a vehicle for communication and collaboration among their members. The affinity groups promote the professional development and advancement of the firm’s diverse lawyers by sponsoring a variety of programs geared toward mentoring, skills and leadership education, and networking.
The Lawyers of Color affinity group provides an active network among its members by encouraging regular communication on topics of common interest. Representatives from each office meet quarterly via videoconference to discuss relevant topics and to share ideas and best practices for retaining and developing the firm’s lawyers of color. The Lawyers of Color affinity group offers a variety of mentoring, networking and educational programs that promote the retention, development and advancement of its lawyers. The group also sponsors the Creating Connections Through Conversation program − a series of informal social events that foster interaction and meaningful working relationships between partners and associates of color.
Lawyers With Alternative Work Schedules & Sites (LAWSS) |
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Judith M. Gallent
Chair
Partner, New York
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Bryan Cave is committed to offering balanced hours to lawyers who require flexibility in their work schedules because of family or other demands. The LAWSS (Lawyers with Alternative Work Schedules & Sites) affinity group is for lawyers who work alternative, flexible or reduced schedules, or who telecommute. The group provides networking opportunities and resources to support the firm's lawyers who seek to maintain work/life balance while continuing to meet the needs of the firm and its clients.
The LGBT Lawyers affinity group is dedicated to ensuring that Bryan Cave is an inclusive and supportive place for openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lawyers. The group meets quarterly to discuss topics including recruiting, mentoring, business development and community outreach. In 2009, the LGBT Lawyers affinity group undertook a signature pro bono relationship with the Family Equality Council, a national nonprofit organization working to ensure equality for LGBT families. Lawyers throughout the firm – both gay and straight -- actively participate in the firm’s representation of the FEC.
The Women’s Forum works to promote the professional development and advancement of women lawyers at the firm. The Women’s Forum sponsors multiple programs and events addressing issues relevant to the retention and promotion of women lawyers. Some recent highlights include:
- Workshops conducted by the firm’s chief professional development officer on career development planning, the associate evaluation process, and communication skills
- Workshops conducted by the firm’s chief marketing officer on creating a personal business development plan
- Roundtable discussions conducted by women partners on practice development, leadership skills, and work/life balance
- Informal networking gatherings in each office for women lawyers to learn about each other’s practices
- Client events in multiple offices, including a panel discussion with in-house counsel in the entertainment industry addressing career development issues for women lawyers