Shipman & Goodwin LLP
Counselors at Law

CULTIVATING DIVERSITY
January 2018

We are committed to achieving a workplace that is reflective of the clients we serve and the communities in which we live and work.

Firm Hosts In Community Panels on Issues Facing Our Workforce and Community

In 2017, Shipman & Goodwin hosted three panel presentations as part of its “In Community” series. The first, held on June 28, was entitled, “Refugees and Resettlement: The Process and Protection Under the Law”.  Set amidst the growing and heated debate over the country’s immigration policies in the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election and the ensuing presidential executive orders tightening those policies, panelists shared their insights on the selection and vetting processes, the role of local agencies in the resettlement process, and the impact of such executive orders. They also discussed the legal status and rights of refugees in Connecticut and the potential for community involvement going forward.  The panel featured:  Chris George, Executive Director of Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS); Kimberly May-Bailey, MSM, Director of the Migration, Refugee and Immigration Services at Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford; and Jama Ahmed, Assistant Director of the Migration, Refugee and Immigration Services at Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Hartford.  Partner Brenda Eckert moderated the panel.

Co-sponsored with the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association, the Firm hosted “A Jury of One’s Peers: A CLE Panel Discussion on Jury Diversity” on September 27.  Panelists discussed the right to an impartial jury under the Sixth Amendment, with a focus on the importance and impact of diversity in the jury selection process in state and federal courts.  Panelists also provided examples of Batson and hardship challenges, and jury behavior research to discuss how the lack of jury diversity affects the perception of justice within the community.  The panel featured: The Honorable Victor A. Bolden, United States District Judge for the District of Connecticut; Allison M. Near, a partner and litigator at Sheehan, Reeve & Near, LLC; Edward P. Schwartz, Ph.D., Jury Consultant at DecisionQuest and author of a variety of articles on the topic; and Partner Robert Simpson.  Partner Jim Bergenn moderated the discussion.  

On November 15, the Firm held another panel presentation entitled, “Identifying and Overcoming Stereotypes and Racial and Economic Prejudice in Housing”.  Panelists discussed the roots and manifestations of prejudice, exclusion, inequality and segregation in housing including how state laws, regulations and government programs have perpetuated segregation in housing, how the federal government has dealt administratively with prejudice and stereotypes in housing; and emerging issues to consider to promote greater integration in housing.  The panel featured:  Erin Boggs, Executive Director of Open Communities Alliance; David Lavery, Staff Attorney at the Connecticut Fair Housing Center and Anika Singh Lemar, Clinical Associate Professor of Law at Yale Law School.  Partner Tim Hollister moderated the panel discussion.

To learn more about our In Community events, we invite you to visit the events page of our website. If you would like to be invited to future events, please send an email entitled “In Community Subscriber” to info@goodwin.com.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND RECOGNITION

Firm Named a Best Law Firm for Female Attorneys

In July, Law360 selected Shipman & Goodwin as one of the Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys. The firm was ranked # 5 among law firms with 150-299 lawyers. The rankings were included in Law360’s annual Glass Ceiling Report and were based on above-average representation of women at the partner and nonpartner levels. The firm first debuted in the Law360 ranking at #6 for Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys back in 2010, and has appeared in the top 25 for female partners nationally in years subsequent, until its most recent move up to #5 for 2017. The firm was also ranked # 231 in the Law360 400, which compares the 400 largest U.S.-based law firms. 

Firm Honored for Pro Bono Efforts by Greater Hartford Legal Aid

Greater Hartford Legal Aid (GHLA) honored Shipman & Goodwin in July with the Law Firm Leader Award at its “Celebrating Leaders for Justice” dinner. GHLA provides quality free legal services to low-income people in the Greater Hartford area. With funds raised by the GHLA Foundation and assistance from pro bono attorneys and other groups, GHLA assists thousands of people in need every year with civil legal problems related to shelter, safety, health, education and economic security.  Shipman& Goodwin, 
the first law firm to receive this award, was recognized for its outstanding leadership and investment in justice.  Keynote speaker Senator Richard Blumenthal and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin also expressed their appreciation for the firm’s longstanding financial and service support for GHLA and its clients. 

Several Firm Attorneys Receive National and Community Recognition

Robert R. Simpson received the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association’s Trailblazer Award at its Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner on May 4. Crawford, an affilliate of the National Bar Association, is a volunteer statewide organization that works to increase the role and number of Black attorneys and raise awareness of legal issues affecting the Black community. The Trailblazer Award recognizes an individual in the legal community who promotes personal growth, leadership development and community service within the legal profession. The recipient must also exhibit the highest degree of professionalism and promote and advocate for equal opportunity in the legal profession. In an inspiring speech accepting the award, Robert made a passionate call to action to advance Crawford’s mission.  An experienced litigation and trial lawyer, Robert also serves on the firm’s seven-member Management Committee as well as on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. 

Leander A. Dolphin was among the recipients of the National Bar Association’s (NBA) 2017 “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates” award. The NBA strives to improve the administration of justice, preserve the independence of the judiciary and uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession. At the Awards Gala during the NBA’s Annual Convention in August in Toronto, Canada, recipients were recognized for their advocacy, innovation, vision, leadership, and overall legal and community involvement.  Leander, a partner in the firm’s School Law Practice Group, is highly engaged in advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and serves as Co-Chair of Shipman & Goodwin’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She also serves on the firm’s seven-member Management Committee.

Jessica L. Ritter was selected in July by the Hartford Business Journal as one of its “40 Under Forty” outstanding young professionals in the Greater Hartford area. The award honors individuals who are excelling in their industries and communities through their leadership, commitment to business success and involvement in the community.  Jessica is a member of the firm’s School Law Practice Group and serves as Co-Chair of Shipman & Goodwin’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Alfredo G. Fernandez was elected President of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA) in April. The CHBA strives to enhance professional opportunities for Hispanic attorneys as well as address issues impacting the Hispanic community, such as access to the courts, judicial diversity and other social challenges.  Before beginning his term as the organization’s President, Alfredo previously served as President-Elect, Vice President and Treasurer; he also served as the CHBA liaison for the Connecticut Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section.  Alfredo practices in the areas of Environmental and International Trade and is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

MENTORING

Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity’s (LCD) Mentor/Mentee Kickoff Dinner

On October 24th, Shipman & Goodwin hosted the Lawyers Collaborative for Diversity’s (LCD) Annual Mentor/Mentee Program Kickoff Dinner in the Hartford office.  The Mentor Program offers law students of color the opportunity to be paired with a practicing attorney from a LCD member firm, government agency or corporation who will serve as a mentor and personal resource throughout the school year.  The Kickoff Dinner marked the official start of the program and provided an opportunity for mentors and mentees to formally meet.   LCD Executive Director Carolyn Golden Hebsgaard spoke about the power of mentoring and Connecticut Superior Court Judge Kevin Doyle and Associate Alfredo Fernandez were invited to speak to the group about their own mentor/mentee relationships and the impact those relationships have had in their legal careers.
Law Day

On May 3rd, Connecticut area high school students learned firsthand about the legal profession at Shipman & Goodwin’s Law Day 2017, an annual event designed to give students from diverse backgrounds an inside view of life at a law firm.  The theme of this year’s Law Day was “Equal Protection Under the Law.”  Approximately twenty students from Bloomfield High School and CREC’s Metropolitan Learning Center for Global and International Studies joined us for a range of activities.  The students took part in a panel discussion about career options in the law and related fields with attorneys and staff from the firm.  They also participated in educational discussions regarding student rights under the U.S. Constitution and enjoyed a round of Legal Jeopardy testing their knowledge.  The highlight of the event was a trip to the Connecticut Supreme Court, where the justices greeted the students and the students had an opportunity to view other students’ award-winning poetry and art and to mingle with the justices and other legal professionals.

Students Enjoy Annual “Take A Child to Work Day” 

The Hartford office welcomed students in grades four through eight to celebrate “Take A Child to Work Day” on April 27th. Many sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, friends and neighbors of attorneys and staff spent the day participating in educational (and fun!) activities. The event, sponsored by the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, included a tour of the Connecticut Supreme Court, a visit with Justice Dennis G. Eveleigh, a mock courtroom debate and a community service project.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Women At the Helm (WATH)
Women at the Helm provides a forum for our women attorneys to discuss issues of interest and to develop mentoring relationships. Most recently, on September 20th, women lawyers at the firm gathered for lunch with guest speaker, the Honorable Christine E. Keller, State of Connecticut Appellate Court Judge, who shared stories from her career path. Looking forward, our annual Golf Clinic at Lyman Orchards is planned for May 2018. This signature WATH event provides an opportunity for our women lawyers and guests at all levels of ability and interest to take some golf lessons from LPGA instructors and enjoy each other’s company.  

Firm Hosts Salon at Lunch to Discuss Charlottesville

In August, Oliver Scholes, historian and Program Coordinator at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, facilitated a conversation between Shipman & Goodwin attorneys and staff to discuss events in the wake of the violence that took place in Charlottesville.  Oliver offered some historical perspective, particularly on the history of the nationalist movement, and sparked a lively and interactive conversation, with attendees offering both their own personal perspectives and ideas for creating positive change in our own community and nationally.

Lambda Legal’s Connecticut Cares Event

Shipman & Goodwin was a sponsor of Lambda Legal’s 2017 Connecticut Cares event on November 5 at Mitchells in Westport.  The event included a brunch reception, premier silent auction and runway fashion show.  Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Fairfield County Offices Host Third Annual Taste of Harmony Luncheon

On May 10, our Fairfield County offices hosted their third annual Taste of Harmony Luncheon. Participants brought dishes to share that represented their own cultural background or a country or culture of their choosing. Guests enjoyed a delicious, multicultural lunch hosted in the Stamford office, and in the process, were educated about their colleagues’ various backgrounds and diverse interests. A number of guests also submitted music representative of their culture to play throughout the event.

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration: “Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together”

In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month the firm invited Dr. Meera Viswanathan to our Hartford office on May 23rd to speak with us about her interpretation of and experience with this year’s theme, “Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together.” 
Dr. Viswanathan is Head of School at The Ethel Walker School. She joined Ethel Walker from Brown University where she was an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and East Asian Studies. A lifelong educator and scholar, Dr. Viswanathan earned her undergraduate degree, M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. Dr. Viswanathan was born in Madras, India and emigrated to Los Angeles at age 5.
 
Fluent in seven languages, Dr. Viswanathan received several National Endowment for the Humanities grants and awards while at Brown.  Dr. Viswanathan and her husband, Dr. Eric Widmer, former head of school at Deerfield Academy, were asked by King Abdullah II of Jordan to establish the Middle East’s first co-educational college preparatory boarding school, King’s Academy. The school opened in 1997. Dr. Viswanathan designed the school’s curriculum and served as dean of faculty. King Abdullah II personally awarded Dr. Viswanathan the King Hussein Medal, Jordan’s highest honor, for her endeavors.  Following an engaging and inspirational discussion, Dr. Viswanathan answered  a number of questions from the audience.

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated on October 11: “Shaping the Bright Future of America”

The firm hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 11th in the Hartford office. The event featured guest speaker Dean Lourdes Alvarez, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of New Haven. 

Dean Alvarez received her Ph.D. in Spanish from Yale University, where she was awarded the Richard Franke Fellowship in the Humanities. A recipient of a Fulbright Senior Research Fellowship for Morocco in 2000, she earned her B.A. in neurobiology at the University of California at Berkeley, and her M.A. in Spanish from San Francisco State University. Conversant in five languages, Dean Alvarez is the author of a book and numerous book chapters, journal articles, and conference papers.She shared with attendees her experiences in keeping with this year’s national theme, “Shaping the Bright Future of America.”

In honor of the event, the firm made a donation to United for Puerto Rico, an initiative brought forth by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Rossello, in collaboration with the private sector, with the purpose of providing aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Contact Us:

To learn more about our commitment to diversity and our diversity initiatives, please contact our Diversity & Inclusion Committee Co-Chairs: Leander A. Dolphin at (860) 251-5086 or ldolphin@goodwin.com or Jessica L. Ritter at (860) 251-5034 or jritter@goodwin.com.. 

For a complete list of diversity events/sponsorships, visit www.shipmangoodwin.com/diversityevents.

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