(April 25, 2008, Weil Gotshal News)
April 25, 2008, New York - At its 2008 retreat, the Weil Gotshal LGBT affinity group, WEGALA, was addressed by David N. Cicilline, the Mayor of the City of Providence, Rhode Island, and the first openly gay mayor of a US state capital city. Cicilline is credited with leading Providence through a substantive transformation in governmental ethics, city infrastructure and economic momentum since taking office early in 2003.
In his remarks to the WEGALA group, chaired by Dan Dokos, the head of the firm's Banking & Finance practice and a member of the firm's 16-person Management Committee, Cicilline explained the obstacles he had overcome to be elected, as well as how his personal philosophy helped shape his five step strategy for cleaning up Providence, written off by many as a haven for corruption. The Mayor also regaled the audience with tales of his days as a summer associate at a large New York Law firm, at which he was told to wear more conservative suits and to channel the expression of his personal views "through his ties." Mayor Cicilline's appearance was introduced by Weil Gotshal associate Robert Schmalo.
Over 30 members of WEGALA attended the retreat, held annually to support the objectives of the affinity group, one of five sponsored by the firm.