Press Release

Diversity Networking Conference Brings Minority Legal Professionals and Corporate Legal Departments Together in Chicago Area

MAY, 2005 – Participants from 49 law firms and nine corporate legal departments convened in Oak Brook, Illinois on May 13, 2005 for a Diversity Networking Conference aimed at initiating and building relationships between minority attorneys, their law firms, and potential corporate clients.

Hosted by nine corporations and co-sponsored by 13 law firms, the day-long event included presentations and panels highlighting strategies for implementing diversity programs involving work performed by outside law firms.

Contract Counsel (Royal Oak, MI), a specialized legal services and staffing company, served as the conference coordinator. The firm facilitated a similar conference in Detroit in 2002.

“We had close to 200 participants networking at the conference,” commented Mark Grobbel, Esq., National Director of Business Development, Contract Counsel. “Law firm attorneys representing various practice areas had the opportunity to meet with key decision makers from corporate legal departments to facilitate the first steps in building relationships,” Grobbel added.

“We envision future diversity conferences happening throughout the US, now that the value of this networking structure has been proven in both Detroit and Chicago,” said David Galbenski, Esq., President and CEO, Contract Counsel. “In fact, we have been approached by the General Counsel of a significant financial services firm to explore the possibility of coordinating a similar conference this Fall or next Spring in New York City. It is becoming clear that making direct contact, exploring diversity issues, and discussing the capabilities of specific lawyers and law firms, are core to the diversity mission.”

PR Contact: David Schmidt, Smith-Winchester
248.352.3333
david@smith-winchester.com