Diversity and Inclusion

Mission

DPDA's mission is to:

• serve as a venue for attorneys of color to exchange ideas, experiences and success stories, and work together to overcome challenges;
• provide a supportive environment for attorneys of color at Day Pitney;
• create business development opportunities for attorneys of color at Day Pitney; and
• ensure attorneys of color have the tools to succeed at Day Pitney and become leaders in the community.

Support

DPDA meetings are bimonthly and enable DPDA members to meet and interact with attorneys of color across Day Pitney's offices. During these meetings, DPDA members discuss the issues of the day and plan officewide and community events and initiatives. Additionally, DPDA holds an annual professional and business development retreat, during which DPDA hosts a dinner for the firm's Executive Committee and leadership to discuss how DPDA and the firm can work together to sustain and strengthen the firm's diversity initiative.

Professional Development

The DPDA membership consists of attorneys at all levels of experience from all Day Pitney's offices. This diversity of experience facilitates informal mentorship between DPDA members in the areas of professional development and both internal and external business development. The interaction between firm leadership and DPDA creates its own mentoring opportunities. DPDA also provides business and professional development opportunities by leveraging national cultural celebrations and incorporating business development efforts into such programs. In addition, DPDA supports its members' professional development by supporting various networking activities, as described below.

Networking

DPDA encourages its members not only to participate in community organizations and affinity bar groups but also to seek and hold leadership positions in such organizations. Through DPDA and Day Pitney support, DPDA members attend various events and conferences throughout the year geared toward building relationships, mentoring, and facilitating professional and business development.

Community Service

DPDA encourages its members to serve in groups and organizations committed to community service and to aiding the less fortunate, particularly those in disadvantaged communities. DPDA organized a firmwide clothing drive, for example, which was featured in the New Jersey Law Journal and the Connecticut Law Tribune, and which resulted in a Day Pitney donation of more than 200 items of business clothing to the Hartford Job Corps in Connecticut and Dress for Success Hudson County in New Jersey.