Albany Law School works with law firms to to seek out a more diverse group of interns - Albany Business Review - Albany Business Review

With this month's Law Firms List, we asked them about their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and the answers varied from firm to firm.

But several noted a partner they have in their DEI efforts: Albany Law School.

A number of firms on The List said they worked with the school and local bar associations to seek out a more diverse group of internship candidates.

Expanding diversity in the student body has been a point of emphasis for Albany Law, says recently hired Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Jermaine Cruz. The school’s last class had 23% of students from diverse backgrounds, Cruz said, a share that has been rising over the past few years.

That the school was serious and dedicated to its DEI efforts is part of what brought Cruz to the job, he said.

“I was really interested in being at an institution that was committed to the process, and before I even got here, [Albany Law] really demonstrated that’s where they were as an institution,” Cruz said.

Finding internships and other opportunities for students is just part of the equation, said Mary Walsh Fitzpatrick, the assistant dean of career services for Albany Law.

The school provides programs for students from underrepresented groups to help them take advantage of opportunities for internships, from mock interviews and networking programs to mentorship programs with students getting to learn directly from firm members.

Albany Law also hosts employer information sessions that allow firms to get in front of different student groups and give them a closer look at what it would look like to work for the firm.

Hiring a more diverse workforce is just the first step, said both Cruz and Fitzpatrick. Retaining those workers, and making tangible changes to make office culture more inclusive, are longer-term goals.

“When students come to Albany Law, specifically from historically underrepresented groups, they may not always have the intention of staying here, but I find that when they experience what’s available here, many decide this is a place where they can be successful,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s something that’s changed in the last few years. I’m encouraged by that.”

Largest Law Firms in the Albany area

Ranked by Capital Region attorneys

Rank	Business name	Capital Region attorneys
1	Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP	90
2	Barclay Damon LLP	44
3	Harris Beach PLLC	34
View This List

source: https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2022/01/18/law-firms-interns-diversity-albany-law.html

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