2021 Diversity 1L Summer Associate Program
Barclay Damon is pleased to welcome Kaitlynn Chopra (Albany), Qui'Essence Harris (Buffalo), Theresa Oliver (Rochester), and Autumn Burgin (Syracuse) as participants in our annual Diversity 1L Summer Associate Program. Please be sure to say hello and welcome if you see them in the office!
ALBANY
Welcome to Our Spring Intern Syeda Zahra
Through the Albany County Bar Association’s Diversity Internship Program, the Albany Office has a spring intern, Syeda Zahra, who is a 3L at Albany Law School. Syeda has worked with attorneys in multiple practice areas so far, and we are very happy to have her as part of the team.
Justice for All Campaign
Barclay Damon was again a proud sponsor of the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York’s Justice for All Campaign, which raises money to help fund access to legal services to help with unemployment, homelessness prevention, education, disability, and hundreds of other civil legal matters. David Cost is co-chair of the campaign, and many Albany attorneys made generous donations to continue to help support this worthy cause.
Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers in New York
Kadeem Wolliaston was selected for inclusion in the National Black Lawyers—Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyers in New York list.
BUFFALO
21 Day Diversity Learning Challenge
The Buffalo and Clarence offices participated in the 21 Day Diversity Learning Challenge that was coordinated by the Bar Association of Erie County. Participants were provided with information in various media formats covering a wide range of structural, institutional, and cultural aspects of racial diversity and injustice faced by Black Americans. It was presented through an online format over the course of 21 consecutive days. Though the challenge was intended to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the links are still active and anyone can take the challenge at any time. If you would like to take the challenge, contact Jen Leonardi for the link.
RCJ Trivia Night
On March 25, 2021, Buffalo and Clarence attorneys participated virtually in Trivia Night to benefit the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). The event was coordinated by Rising Champions for Justice (RCJ), which is a group of young professionals dedicated to furthering the VLP’s mission to provide free legal services to low-income people while gaining valuable board experience and professional development. Arianna Kwiatkowski, who was recently appointed to the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project Rising Champions for Justice Board, coordinated Barclay Damon’s participation in the event.
DEI Email to USLAW Diversity Council Steering Committee Leader
Peter Marlette was recently contacted by Mert Howard, partner at Hanson Bridgett and Steering Committee leader on the USLAW Diversity Council, encouraging the firm to get involved with the USLAW Diversity Council. Peter responded with an email outlining Barclay Damon’s ever-evolving DEI initiatives.
BOSTON, MA | NEW HAVEN, CT | NEW YORK, NY
Holiday Giving
During the holiday season, individuals from Barclay Damon’s major markets offices contributed to a number of their favorite charities, such as local food banks and soup kitchens and area legal aid organizations. In lieu of holiday gifts to adult family members, some made donations to the charities the family members selected, such as Feeding America, Wounded Warriors, and Planned Parenthood.
Galas for LeGaL and LEAP
Barclay Damon was a sponsor of two gala fundraisers for LeGaL and LEAP. Janice Grubin reported that the LeGaL gala was a huge success. Held virtually this year, several members of the firm attended the gala, which raised more money than last year. Penny Mason reported on the LEAP gala, which was held on the same night. LEAP, which stands for Leadership, Education, and Athletics in Partnership, is a program that works with New Haven’s inner-city children in after-school and summer programs and also trains young counselors and mentors. It was likewise virtual this year, with a reception featuring speakers who are founders, leaders, and students. This event also raised a record amount of money for LEAP’s work. Four major markets colleagues attended.
DEI Lunch ‘n’ Learn
On March 4, 2021, the firm held a lunch ‘n’ learn titled “Marriage Equality: From Outlaws to In-Laws” facilitated by Penny Mason and Janice Grubin. The lunch ‘n’ learn featured speakers Christopher R. Riano and Professor William N. Eskridge Jr. and covered same-sex-marriage aspects of topics ranging from the evolution of religion to sexuality, sex, and gender. The speakers are the authors of the book after which the lunch ‘n’ learn was named.
Celebrating and Supporting Armenian and Lebanese Culture
Natalie Hajinelian, legal secretary, is a daughter and wife of Lebanese Armenian immigrants and was born and raised in Hawaii. She says, “I find it to be my responsibility to proudly represent the cultural diversity of my various origins.” Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she would celebrate her culture by partaking in cultural events and activities, such as dancing the kochari (a traditional Armenian dance), commemorating her Armenian ancestors who were victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 during April and especially on April 24, which is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, and sending care packages back home. Now Natalie focuses on supporting Armenian and Lebanese businesses by purchasing their products, including everyday items like soorj (Armenian coffee), zhourat (a Lebanese herbal tea blend), and arak (a Levantine unsweetened distilled spirit made from anise).
Natalie uses social media to amplify the voices of these businesses. She says, “Social media has become such a powerful tool, and through it, I have obtained the role of a social media activist for the people of Lebanon and Armenia. I report and repost businesses, products, news, petitions, on-ground NGOs, and donation centers. Having volunteered in these countries, I have always made sure to leverage my connections, and continuously work on bridging the gap between the two worlds.”
ROCHESTER
Senior Capstone Project
Representatives from our Rochester office participated in the senior Capstone Project at the World of Inquiry School #58 (WOI). Each senior has to complete a two-semester process before graduation. During the second part of the process, they explore a topic of interest to them in depth and develop a project around that topic that contributes to the community. Unique to 2021, all Capstone Projects were presented via Zoom. Sanjeev Devabhakthuni, Matthew Paris, and Patrick Burke, office manager, volunteered for the morning panel session where each senior at WOI presented their proposals for review and approval to a committee that included a community member, a teacher, a junior from the high school, and a sixth grader from the middle school. Barclay Damon will be further involved in the Capstone Project as it develops throughout the school year, culminating in a final presentation of each project in May. Our work with WOI is part of our continuing Pipeline Initiative through the DLT. Feel free to contact any member of the Rochester DLT if you have any questions.
SYRACUSE
1L Diversity Mentoring Program
For the fourth consecutive year, the Syracuse office has continued its 1L Diversity Mentoring Program in partnership with the Syracuse University College of Law. This program takes place throughout the spring semester, with 20 mentees participating this year. The program connects firm attorneys with 1Ls from historically underrepresented groups within the legal profession. .
Syracuse Heart (Walk) Challenge
In lieu of an in-person Heart Walk this year, the American Heart Association is instead holding a month-long Heart Challenge. The Barclay Damon Walk Team entered into a friendly competition with the legal department of National Grid, who is also a sponsor and participant in the Syracuse Heart Challenge. The “battle of the companies” was to see who could get more people registered on their teams by March 31, 2021. Barclay Damon met its goal of registering 100 participants and has raised over $3,296! The teams will also compete to see who can get the most steps throughout April. In an email to Brenda Colella, Kristen Thompson Henry, director of the Syracuse Heart Challenge, said, “This challenge is sparking national attention at AHA! We will be highlighted in our next development newsletter nationwide!”
Wear Red Day and BD Tower Lit Up Red
On February 5, 2021, attorneys and staff in the Syracuse office supported the American Heart Association by wearing red to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. Barclay Damon Tower was also lit up red for the occasion.