Black Lawyers Achieving Success Together
Our People
- Of the Firm’s black attorneys, there are 11 partners, 2 counsel, and 45 associates in the U.S. and London offices. Since 2016, Weil has promoted 7 Black attorneys to partner internally.
- Each affinity group has an appointed senior leader sponsor, who is not a member of that demographic group. The sponsors are charged with understanding key issues the group members face and advocating for necessary change. David Lender, Co-Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department, is the Management Committee Sponsor for the Black Attorney Achieving Success Together (BLAST).
Conferences
2023 Radiating Brilliance Conference
Black Lawyers Achieving Success Together Conference
Other past conferences include the following highlights.
- Client and alumni network reception with performance by the Syncopated Ladies.
- Leadership small group discussions with several members of the Management Committee.
- Fireside chat with Judge George Hazel.
- Speed Mentoring Workshop benefiting PENCIL
- “Taking Ownership of Your Career” client panel and discussion featuring Felice Gray-Kemp of LEGO, Michelle Ifill of Verizon, and John Mbiti of Credit Suisse
- Lunch discussion and strategic planning session with Firm leaders
- “Career Paths and Lessons Learned” panels featuring Weil alumni and BLAST partners Adé Heyliger and Adam Banks
- Personal Branding Workshop facilitated by Weil’s Business Development team
Evolve Client Series
Recent Engagements
Diversity Education and Programs
Mandatory Diversity Training
Recent Programming
In honor of Black History Month and Heart Health Month, we held fireside chat between Candace Arthur, a Weil Partner in our Restructuring Department and Dr. Tracy K. Paul, MD, acclaimed Cardiologist & Director of Women’s Heart Program at Weill Cornell. Dr. Paul shared important insights on heart health and how diversity initiatives within Weill Cornell Medicine have informed her practice and outlook on health issues impacting diverse communities.
In honor of Juneteenth, members of the Weil family participated in a guided tour of Seneca Village in Central Park to explore the deep history of this 19th century settlement of predominantly African-American landowners in the heart of Manhattan.
Diversity Month
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring Circles
BLAST members participate in associate of color mentoring circles, which supplement the existing mentoring program for associates who seek additional access to partners as advisors and role models. The circles foster peer mentoring and provide a forum to discuss diversity topics at the Firm.
Jumpstart is a new resource for new and lateral Black associates who are paired with a Black partner and associate to support their transition to the Firm.
Racial Justice
Programming and Initiatives
Weil started the formal Racial Justice series in 2020 to highlight the racial inequities present in the United States and to increase dialogue. As part of the series, Weil invited speakers from non-profit organizations to take part in fireside chats and discuss their missions. For more on our Racial Justice efforts, click here.
Advisory Boards
Racial Justice Fellowship Program
Community
MLK Day of Service
For two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023, in celebration of MLK Day of Service, Weil hosted its first Social Impact Awards, honoring administrative staff, attorneys, and nonprofit partners who have gone above and beyond in making a difference in the broader community through public service, charitable giving, and much more.
In 2019 and 2018, the Firm hosted a number of on-site and offsite volunteer opportunities. In 2017, the New York Office bundled 2,000 healthy snack packs and health and hygiene kits for clients served by the Bowery Mission.
Sponsorships
External Racial Justice Commitments
Weil aims to serve the community through the sponsorship of several organizations as part of our ongoing Racial Justice Initiative, including:
- Boston University Center for Antiracist Research
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
Other external sponsorships include:
- Weil was among the first law firms to join the Law Firm Antiracism Alliance (LFAA), whose mission is to leverage the resources of the private bar to promote racial equity in the law.
- Weil’s Racial Justice Fellowship was developed to provide associates the opportunity to participate in full-time six-month long pro bono fellowships.
Pipeline
Internship Programs
The Firm sponsors and actively participates in internship opportunities such as the Dallas Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity Program (SEO) and Summer Search. Weil's New York Office has provided nearly 100 summer internships to high school and college students from community based organizations since 2013.
Key Contacts
Adam B. Banks
Partner and Diversity Committee Co-Chair
New York
- +1 (212) 310-8419
- adam.banks@weil.com
Adé Heyliger
Partner and Diversity Committee Co-Chair
Washington, D.C.
- +1 202 682 7095
- ade.heyliger@weil.com
Weil alumna Nicole Lazarre, now at Urban Resource Institute, spoke with Weil’s Candace Arthur about our organizations’ partnership, the growing demands for racial justice and how lawyers can get involved.
Chantale Fiebig and Trey Mulrow have joined the Firm’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices, respectively, Chantale as a partner in the Complex Commercial Litigation practice and Trey as a partner in the Private Equity practice.
Firm News and Announcements
- Adé Heyliger Named to 2023 NACD Directorship 100 Firm Announcement — September 21, 2023
- Benchmark Litigation Names Three Weil Partners to 40 & Under Hot List in 2022 Firm Announcement — July 27, 2022
- Trey Muldrow Recognized as a 2022 “Notable Diverse Leader in Law” by Crain’s Firm Announcement — July 12, 2022
- Adé Heyliger Named a 2022 Most Influential Black Lawyer by Savoy Magazine Firm Announcement — February 16, 2022