---
title: Workplace Engagement at Kelley Drye
date: 2023-09-18T14:27:00-04:00
author: Joe Batutis
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/responsible-business/workplace-engagement/diversity-and-inclusion-at-kelley-drye"
section: Pages
---
#  Workplace Engagement at Kelley Drye 

Kelley Drye actively supports internal and external programs to support professional growth.

 

 

  ![](https://d3iuizmsm2hayf.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/Hero-Objects/people_triangles_v6.svg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1880&q=80&w=1880&s=9a4d5e3a57814e4eaffd00c09a8d3154)  

 

 

 

We sponsor external organizations providing leadership training and professional networking opportunities for our attorneys. We also learn from our clients and other leaders in academia and corporations as we invite thought leaders to share their perspectives and experiences with the firm. Kelley Drye’s summer internships contribute to this goal by welcoming high school and college students to the Firm and hopefully sparking an interest that evolves to a career in the legal profession.

 

 

###   Developing Skilled and Inclusive Leaders  

Skilled and inclusive leaders are key to a successful Firm. Our leaders also support the employee engagement that drives collaboration and professional growth. Kelley Drye looks to develop and employ our attorneys’ leadership skills within the Firm. Providing attorneys with opportunities to develop leadership skills is a key component of our approach. Kelley Drye is an active member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and participates in its Fellows, Pathfinder and Scholars programs, which provide highly structured training and development opportunities designed to build the next generation of law firm leaders. All attorneys are invited to apply for these opportunities, and the Firm provides financial support.

 

 

 

###   Commitment to Continuous Learning  

We are also committed to continuous learning. Our Workplace Engagement Speaker Series has invited thought leaders in the in-house counsel and broader legal community to discuss legal and business topics with our lawyers. Programs like these invite participation and dialogue that strengthens employee engagement and connection across the firm.

 

 

 

###   Growing the Pipeline  

We also remain committed to growing the pipeline in the profession. We participate in a number of pipeline initiatives, including supporting students as they begin law school and placing 1L year students in our Summer Associate Program. We also encourage college and high school students from all backgrounds to pursue their interest in a career in law through sponsorship of programs such as:

**1L Scholar Program**  
Kelley Drye hires law students from all backgrounds in its summer associate program following the student’s first year of law school.

**Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program**  
The Cristo Rey national network of schools makes a college preparatory education affordable for economically disadvantaged students through a unique work-study program. Kelley Drye sponsors students in our New York and Chicago offices.

**Thurgood Marshall Summer Legal Internship Program**  
Kelley Drye provides New York high school students summer internships with the Firm.

**Inner City Scholarship Fund Job Opportunities Program**  
Kelley Drye has provided summer internships to New York high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

 

 

 

###   Partnering with Our Clients  

We are open to arrangements with clients of all types. Some examples include:

- Secondment of associates within clients’ legal departments where they can develop their legal and business skills, strengthen relationships with in-house lawyers and business people and improve our client service. Not limited to senior lawyers, we have even had summer associates split their time between Kelley Drye and our clients.
- Identifying pro bono projects where we can collaborate with clients and committing our lawyers to work with our clients on pro bono or community projects important to them.

 

 

 

###   Sponsorships  

Kelley Drye believes in supporting a myriad of organizations that will lead to an inclusive culture in the legal profession. We have supported or sponsored the following organizations, among others:

- Allen Women’s Resource Center
- Campaign for Fair Sentencing of Youth
- Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in the Law
- The Foundation For The Judicial Friends, Inc.
- Gifts for the Homeless, Inc.
- Houston Area Women’s Center
- Legal Aid of the District of Columbia
- LGBT Bar of New York
- N Street Village, Inc.
- NJ LEEP
- Noyes Elementary School
- SMYAL