Barclay Damon partners with School of Law in a new Diversity Summer 1L Program

Barclay Damon, LLP has announced it will partner with the School of Law for a Diversity Summer 1L Program. Barclay Damon is the third largest law firm in Western New York with a strong commitment to its Diversity & Inclusion initiative.  Through this initiative, headed by partner Sheila A. Gaddis, the firm strives to proactively build, promote, and maintain mutually beneficial relationships through the recognition, inclusion, and support of the range of human differences.

According to Gaddis, “Among our primary goals are to ensure that diversity and inclusion is a priority in how we practice law and connect with our communities. We define diversity and inclusion broadly to mean the goal of accepting, respecting and valuing differences that may include attributes such as: age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, family circumstances, physical appearances, political convictions and cultural backgrounds.

“We strive to offer a workplace of choice to the best and brightest from all cultures, lifestyles and experiences – acting on the belief that an inclusive work environment provides an atmosphere that allows all individuals to attain their greatest potential.”

Says Barclay Damon Hiring Partner, Edward G. Melvin II, “The firm recognizes that the world and the legal marketplace are changing, and we want to be out in front of this change.  To that end, we’re excited to collaborate with School of Law in establishing the Diversity 1L Summer Associate Program here in Buffalo.” While many firms offer summer work opportunities to second-year law students, finding summer work in the field of law can be difficult for first-year (1L) students, including students from diverse backgrounds. 

Barclay Damon, LLP, listed as a “Top 250 Firm” by The National Law Journal, is a full-service, 275-attorney law firm, with offices throughout the major cities of New York State; Toronto; and Boston, Washington DC, and Newark. Barclay Damon provides comprehensive legal and business counsel to a diverse client base in 33 practice areas. For more information, visit barclaydamon.com.