Black Resource Network
The Black Resource Network (BRN) at Dewey & LeBoeuf reflects the talents and strengths of black lawyers and administrative staff at the firm. Through leadership support and advice from its Network Partner Liaison, Andrianne Payson, the BRN is dedicated to enhancing the professional development of its members and supporting the firm's diversity goals. This affinity group is organized into two chapters: an Attorney Chapter and an Administrative Staff Chapter.
Initiatives
BRN members actively participate in recruiting and mentoring initiatives that support the firm's diversity goals.
- BRN associates participate in the firm's Law School Ambassador Program by teaming up with minority law student organizations at select schools to conduct mock interviews and host panel discussions ranging from "Tips on How to Ace Your Interview and Succeed as a Summer Associate" to "Demystifying Practice Groups." Delia Patterson (Energy Regulatory Associate) and André Warner (Corporate Finance Associate) participate in the program at Georgetown University Law Center and Lucericia Messiah (Compensation, Benefits & Employment Associate) participates in the program at Howard Law School.
- As part of the firm's participation in the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Corporate Law Program, BRN attorneys mentor minority interns each summer. The SEO Program provides legal training and experience to talented pre-law students of color through a 40-hour lecture series in the Corporate Law Institute course, and internships with major law firms and financial institutions. Each summer, the firm hosts SEO interns in its New York and Washington, DC offices.
- BRN partners participate in the firm's SEO rotational program, which consists of pairing SEO interns with partners who provide mentorship and a strong introduction to the practice of law. For a one-week period, each SEO intern "shadows" a partner on a daily basis. Shadowing activities include drafting memoranda and corporate documents, attending client meetings and observing court proceedings.
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Lucericia Messiah (Compensation, Benefits & Employment Associate) conducts mock interviews for first year law students at Howard Law School.
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André Warner (Corporate Finance Associate) participates in the firm's Legal Outreach Summer Law Institute mock trial competition for minority high school students. Each summer, more than a dozen firm associates and summer associates volunteer to help students develop legal arguments, prepare their opening statements and draft direct and cross-examination questions for the mock trial.
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Andrianne Payson (Energy/Corporate Partner and BRN Network Partner Liaison) serves on the firm's Recruiting Committee.
Commitment to Service
BRN sponsors 2012 Black History Month Monologue Contest at P.S. 154
On February 28, 2012, the BRN proudly sponsored the Paul Robeson Black History Month Monologue Contest for elementary school students at P.S. 154 Harriet Tubman Learning Center (Harlem, NY). Prizes included Barnes & Noble gift cards and digital readers. The BRN also donated books on the school's reading lists to participating students.
Raya Salter and Christopher Clark participate in African American Career Day
On February 18, 2011, Christopher Clark (far left) and Raya Salter (second from right) participated in African American Career Day at Glenfield Middle School (Montclair, New Jersey) as part of the school's Black History Month program.
Chiefy Nduom, Christopher Clark and André Warner mentor fifth graders at P.S. 154
On December 4, 2009, BRN members Chiefy Nduom, Christopher Clark and André Warner participated in a mentoring session with 15 boys from the Fifth Grade Class at P.S. 154 (Harriet Tubman Learning Center, NY) at the request of Ms. Carla Burns, School Librarian. The group discussed the importance of staying in school, earning good grades and obtaining a college degree.
Gina Elliott and Regina Aikens coordinate the Fall 2009 African American Children's Book Drive
The Black Resource Network launched its first African American Children's Book Drive in November 2009 to collect at least 100 books to donate to public elementary schools in New York City and Washington, DC. The book drive was a tremendous success — 230 African American children's books were collected from BRN members and delivered to the libraries at P.S. 124 Mahalia Jackson Academy (NY), P.S. 154 Harriet Tubman Learning Center (NY) and Kimball Elementary School (DC). The librarians were delighted to receive new reading materials for their students and have invited the BRN to participate in mentoring and other initiatives at the schools. The book drive was organized by Gina Elliott (Director of Technology Support) and Regina Aikens (DC Legal Secretary), with assistance from Donna Jackson (NY Legal Secretary) and Andrianne Payson (Energy/Corporate Partner).
Black History Month 2012
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Click the image to view BRN's 2012 Black History Month Initiative. |
Past Events
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Click the image to view BRN's 2011 Black History Month Calendar of Events. |
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"The Good Fight: James Farmer Remembers the Civil Rights Movement"
The film screening in the Washington, DC office for Black History Month 2011 was organized by Ahren Tryon (Associate), Joe Migas (Director of Administration), Cheryl Rich (Internal Auditor) and Claire Brennan (Paralegal Manager). |
2010 Black History Month Fundraiser 2009 Black History Month Weekly Circulars
2009 Black History Month Event Invitation and Posters
Contact Us
Network Partner Liason, Andrianne Payson.