Diversity Outreach & Sponsorships

Cadwalader is committed to diversity and inclusion within the Firm and our society. The Firm sponsors numerous organizations responsible for developing and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and community.

Sponsorships

  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • Asian American Bar Association of NY (AABANY)
  • Asian American Legal Defense & Education Fund (AALDEF)
  • Association of the City Bar of New York
  • Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
  • Lambda Legal
  • LatinoJustice PRLDEF
  • Mecklenburg County Bar Diversity Initiative
  • Mecklenburg Bar Foundation
  • Metropolitan Black Bar Association
  • Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA)
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA)
  • National Bar Association
  • New York City Bar Office for Diversity & Inclusion

Pipeline Initiatives

The Firm engages in several “pipeline” initiatives that expose diverse high school and middle school students to the legal industry and corporate world.  Among those programs are our partnerships with:

  • Cristo Rey High School’s Corporate Work Study Program
    The Firm is a sponsor of Cristo Rey New York’s Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). The mission of Cristo Rey New York and CWSP is to provide a unique opportunity for their students by combining a rigorous college prep curriculum with the innovative work-study program.
  • Junior Achievement (JA)
    JA is a non-profit organization that brings economics-based education programs into the classroom for students in grades K-12.  Each school year, the Firm hosts groups of students from local high schools at our offices.   The students have the opportunity to learn about the careers of various Cadwalader legal and administrative professionals, and about their educational and career paths. Presenters speak about their day-to-day responsibilities, offer tips for being a successful student and give general career advice. In addition, the Firm also sends  trained volunteers to high schools and middle schools to teach JA curriculum.  Our volunteers not only teach the curriculum, but they also serve as role models for the students, exposing them to career possibilities and associating education with obtaining professional goals.
  • James Madison High School
    Cadwalader began its relationship with James Madison High School in 1982 as one of the five founding law firms of the New York City MENTOR program. Since 1982, Cadwalader’s commitment of resources to and its relationship with James Madison High School has grown tremendously. For numerous years, our attorneys have coached mock trial and moot court teams from the school, taking them to the city and state championship rounds.
  • Legal Outreach
    The Firm hosts rising 10th-grade students participating in Legal Outreach’s College Bound program at the office. Over the course of four days, students have direct interaction with attorneys at all experience levels to teach them about different facets of the law and what day-to-day life is like for an attorney at Cadwalader. Our attorneys serve as mentors who advise the students on their path to college, law school, and future career pursuits.  In addition, 8th-grade students who are participating in the NYU School of Law Summer Law Institute program spend one day at the Firm to learn about the operation of a law firm.
  • NJ LEEP
    The Firm hosts rising 10th-grade students participating in NJ LEEP Legal Externship Program. Over the course of four days, students have direct interaction with attorneys and legal personnel to teach them about the different facets of a law firm and what day-to-day life is like for an attorney at Cadwalader. Throughout the year, our attorneys serve as mentors to the students; writing coaches to assist with college admission essays, and debate coaches for NJ LEEP’s annual constitutional law debate competition.
  • Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO)
    Cadwalader has partnered with Sponsors for Educational Opportunity to improve diversity in the legal profession by providing high-performing students of color with an opportunity to intern at our offices. During the eight-week internship, students are taught the skills necessary to excel in law school and in a big law environment.