Affinity Groups

Skadden’s New York headquarters is home to five affinity groups — African American/Black, Asian/Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, LGBT and Parents — which are open to all interested attorneys. The groups play a key role in our ongoing endeavors concerning law student recruitment, associate mentoring and peer networking, career development, workplace inclusion, retention and community involvement.

Each affinity group has a standing monthly lunch meeting at which members discuss news and developments relevant to their communities, practice areas, professional experiences and other topics. Skadden offices in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, host periodic diversity lunches that vary from casual conversations to structured topical discussions.

Throughout the year, members of Skadden's Diversity Committee and affinity groups spearhead the planning of events and programs for the Skadden community to enjoy. The Following are examples of recent events hosted by our affinity groups:

• Black/African American Affinity Group: In 2012, in celebration of Black History Month, our Black/African American Affinity Group hosted a discussion with lawyer, Clinton administration adviser and civil rights activist Vernon Jordan, moderated by journalist Michelle Norris-Johnson.
• Asian/Asian American Affinity Group: For each of the past several years, the Asian-American Attorney Affinity Group has presented a special Tea Tasting event facilitated by specialists from a local tea house. In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, the group hosted a program with Chinese American activist and award-winning journalist Helen Zia moderated by Antitrust partner and Palo Alto Diversity Committee Member Alec Chang.
• LGBT Affinity Group: Each year, Skadden’s LGBT Affinity Group sponsors an event in honor of Pride Month. In 2011, the group presented a discussion on “LGBT Youth in Schools and Their Parents: Bullying, Proms, Straight Allies, and Beyond,” with Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network executive director Eliza Byard, ACLU LGBT & AIDS Project director James Esseks and Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Ross Levi. The group also has hosted programs on topics including marriage equality and LGBT family formation this year.
• Parents Affinity Group: In coordination with our Parents Affinity Group, Skadden offers information sessions, facilitated by a consultant, on topics including navigating the nursery, private and public school research and application processes for New York City schools. This year, award-winning author Adele Faber led a discussion on parent/child communication based on her best-selling book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk."
• Latin/Hispanic Affinity Group: This year, in celebration of Hispanic Heritge Month, the Latin/Hispanic Affinity Group hosted an officewide Latin cooking demo with Food Network chef Daisy Martinez.