Written by: Justin Wise

Law360 (October 21, 2020, 4:37 PM EDT) -- The employment rate reached near-historic highs for the 2019 law school graduation class, but a stark disparity in outcomes between white and racial minority graduates persists, according to a set of findings released Wednesday by the National Association for Law Placement.

In a year when the employment rate for recent grads climbed to levels not seen in over a decade, Black and Native American individuals still had significantly lower levels of success in the job market than their peers, an NALP survey of more than 33,000 graduates found. Figures also showed a wide gap between white graduates and Black individuals when it comes to jobs requiring passage of the bar exam.

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ANASTASIA HUVELLE

Recruiting & Professional Personnel Manager
Kelley Drye & Warren

This month WALRAA is proud to feature Anastasia Huvelle. Anastasia started her career in human resources in Chicago before taking on roles that combined recruiting and HR at law firms in Washington, DC. She has been a member of WALRAA since 2017 and credits the association for the opportunities it has provided both for her and her firm. Find out why the French-Algerian war is important to her, what motivates her, and more in her own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I have been a member of WALRAA for about three years. I have found the monthly lunches to be great networking opportunities and the programming at the Education Conference in March was fantastic.

2.      How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
WALRAA has given me the opportunity to connect with law firm counterparts and professionals in career services. The support and guidance from the WALRAA community has been an asset to my professional life. A connection I made at a WALRAA lunch last year led to the hiring of a fantastic summer associate that will be joining the firm after graduation.

3.      How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
In 2013, I started working in HR at Dentons Chicago. I loved the law firm environment, and I thought legal recruiting would be challenging and a lot of fun. My fiancé (now husband) and I moved back to the East Coast and I subsequently took on positions at MoloLamken and Kelley Drye that combined HR and Legal Recruiting. I get the best of both worlds!

4.      What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
I am incredibly proud of the Summer Program the Kelley Drye Recruiting/Professional Development team developed and executed this past July. It was probably the biggest challenge of my career as we wanted to maintain the connections and relationships developed during an in-person program and translate them virtually.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
In 2020, the biggest challenge has been developing ways to connect with new/summer associates in a virtual environment. I look forward to some good old-fashioned social events one day.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I have never understood this question - I don't think there is such a thing as balance. My career and personal life constantly overlap - an ebb and flow. Sometimes my children play work, and I overhear them pretending to call my colleagues or partners. I hope that I set a positive example for them with my career.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
I am proud to work for a firm that supports a wide-range of D&I initiatives. As a recruiter, it is my job and pleasure to continue to hire people from diverse backgrounds and support them in their law firm careers.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
You can have it all, but you can't have it all at once.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
My husband and I have two children, Charlie (4) and Lily (2). On the weekends, we like to spend as much time outdoors as possible. 

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
In a previous life, I wanted to be a History Professor and wrote my master's thesis on the cultural impact of the French-Algerian war on the metropole.

Written by: Greta Anderson

A mountain of troubling data about rising mental health problems has health advocates and providers worried about the need for additional support for struggling students and the ability of colleges to provide it.

While the country continues to battle the coronavirus, college health professionals are also monitoring a growing crisis among young adults struggling with mental health problems, including suicidal ideation, anxiety and depression related to the pandemic.

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UROOSA HAIDER

Legal Recruiting Manager
Norton Rose Fulbright

Message from Uroosa: Hi everyone, 2020 has been a year of one crazy thing after another but we’re all surviving! Keep your heads up and let’s stay engaged and connected whether it’s through zoom or virtual happy hours or our mentor circles. I’m grateful to all my friends and colleagues in WALRAA for being available as a resource when I’ve needed help and a soundboard on days where I’ve needed to vent. As cliché as it sounds, the people you meet through WALRAA actually do become your friends and professional and personal network so take advantage of this group.

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I have been in WALRAA for about 4 years at this point - My favorite part has definitely been the Educational Conferences. I was lucky enough to be on one of the planning committees for 2018 and recently attended the 2020 Educational Conference at the Wharf and found the sessions to be so insightful and relevant to the current global environment.

2.      How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
WALRAA has been such an integral part of my network building and getting to know people I work with across law schools on a more personal level. It's so nice to actually show up to the monthly meetings (back when we could actually do that) and just gather round with colleagues and counterparts from other firms and law schools and engage in conversations to bounce ideas off each other. It's really helped me expand my professional and personal network in the DC area.

3.      How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
I actually started my career as a temp back in 2016 when I thought I would work for a year and go to law school. Little baby me did not know the world of recruiting had so much to offer, so here I am 4 years later and not planning to leave anytime soon!

4.      What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
There are so many "small" victories that occur during our day to day life as a recruiter but my favorite moment is when I meet students at outreach events and then seeing them go through the cycle of coming to our firm and getting selected as a summer and moving through the process to return as a full time associate is definitely rewarding as I find a lot of joy and pride in seeing someone make it all the way through.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Unfortunately, the world of law firm recruiting can be challenging to navigate. Sometimes there are great candidates, whether they are students or laterals that have so much to offer but we can't always accommodate them.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
The lines don't even exist anymore with COVID-19! Jokes aside, I do try to stay offline on weekends and devote my time to my kids and family. I think it's important to set boundaries and have learned that the world will not come crumbling down if I don't respond to every single email that comes my way seconds within arriving in my inbox.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
I have definitely become more vocal and assertive in my new role as a Manager and would like to continue to work on my professional development this year by networking more, delegating where I can and asking for help. I've always had an 'I'll just do it myself" attitude but that can get exhausting sometimes so I'm learning to let that go and build better teamworking habits.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
Honestly, the best advice I've gotten was that "Someone's always watching, so always do your best even if you don't think it makes a difference." I have found this to be extremely true throughout my career. There are times when it can feel as if no one cares about the work you do or recognizes the effort you've put in but time and time again, someone is always paying attention and things don't go unnoticed whether good or bad. I'm glad I always try to give my all to any and every task I get involved with. It's definitely paid off for me in the long run.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
I love to cook and dance with my two daughters - most people that know me know how much I gush over my girls so spending quality time with them is so important and they seem to have my love for dancing and eating!

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I actually just started a cooking channel on YouTube with my husband and daughter about a month ago during COVID-19 and it's been such a fun experience for all three of us. It's so much work to be a content creator for YouTube by the way, but we are all having a blast so far. If anyone is interested in any recipes - the link to our channel is included!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRPaOFyUz9aBBPRhBX5ahrw 

KIA SCIPIO

Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Ropes & Gray LLP

This month WALRAA is proud to feature Kia Scipio. Kia began working in DC after working in career services at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and has been a member of WALRAA since 2006. Her passion for her work, her colleagues, and D&I is an inspiration to many - and keeps her very busy! Take a look at how she came to DC, what motivates her, and more in her own words below. 

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I've been a member of WALRAA for a LONG time (since 2006). The thing that always keeps me engaged is the membership. I've met some of my closest friends and colleagues over the years through WALRAA and I am forever grateful for that.

2.      How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
I've learned so much from my colleagues and peers. The best practices that others so willingly share have helped me become the professional that I am today. I only hope that I have been as much of help to others as WALRAA members have been to me.

3.      How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
When I was working for DC City Council, my first career services job popped up and I applied. I always wanted to get into career services because my experience with the CDO when I was in law school wasn't the best. I wanted to be a source of support to law students that I felt was severely lacking when I was in their shoes. I took that job at the University of Baltimore School of Law and I've never looked back!

4.      What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
Oh, there have been so many great moments! But, maybe some of the best are seeing former students that I counseled and advised move on to fantastic opportunities that far surpassed anything that they imagined while in law school. I like to think that maybe I had just a little something to do with that. And, getting messages from people, thanking me for all that I've done to help them find their way, always makes me cry.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
There's not enough time to do all of the things that I want to do.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I'm still trying to figure that out. But, having family and friends that I LOVE spending time with MAKES me take the time that I need to recharge and decompress.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
Not to lose my hair. It's already super short, and I'm not going for the bald look. No, it's to be able to launch some exciting initiatives that will firmly cement D&I onto all of the systems and processes at my firm.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
Take chances--you never know where they might take you!

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
Now, I LOVE to sleep! But, I'm a Pure Barre addict and I've also gotten VERY FAMILIAR with Netflix.

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
Despite appearing to be extremely extroverted, I'm actually kind of shy. But, once I connect with someone/people, it's off to the races!

Written by: Elizabeth Olson

The vast majority of U.S. law firm offices in a new survey are sticking with their original plans to hold summer associate programs, but many are shortening them and holding them virtually due to coronavirus concerns.

Covid-19 has led law offices to close their doors across the country and to send lawyers and other employees to work from home, but according to the new data from the National Association for Law Placement, law firms largely have spared summer programs.

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Written by: Andrea Bricca

For years now, the push for organizations to implement regular work-from-home policies and practices has been a major area of debate. While the legal profession is typically slow to change, when forced into the change, it has become clear that legal work can be done effectively and efficiently remotely. Take away the distractions of children and spouses at home, along with the overall vibe of the current crisis, and work from home is rapidly becoming the chosen way of doing business for many industries, including the law. Furthermore, in order to attract top legal talent going forward, remote work options will need to be among the benefits offered by law firms and legal departments.

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Written by: Samantha Stokes

Changing office layouts, making hallways one-way, requiring masks, disinfecting the fridge, agonizing over whether to keep the communal coffee machine running: When it comes to Big Law’s eventual return to the office, nearly everything is on the table.

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Written by: Jordan Furlong
Posted in: Law21

This tenth and final installment in what became a “pandemic series” of posts isn’t a standalone entry so much as an epilogue to what I’ve written over these past six weeks. Mostly, it’s a message to the graduating law class of 2020, although it also applies to the subsequent cohorts of 2021 and 2022, and to recently called lawyers as well.

This pandemic will be a turning point for all of us, but especially for you. A new set of external conditions beyond our control now governs everyone’s day-to-day lives and will do so for the foreseeable future. That’s the backdrop against which the first years of your legal careers will unfold. Let’s talk about what that means for you and what you can do about it.

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LAURA CREQUE

Legal Recruiting Manager
Dechert LLP

I've really enjoyed getting to know Laura Creque in our mentor circle virtual happy hours over the past several months and hope you will too! Laura's positive spirit despite all the challenges we're going through infuses our group with a spirit of camaraderie, and inspires us to take joy in what we can (even if it's just the ability to laugh at the fact that her son has taken up random screaming since the stay-at-home-orders went into place). Read on to learn about her path to the recruiting world, Gratitude cards, taking the chances you're offered, and find out why there's no such thing as bad weather in her words below.  

1.      How long have you been a member of WALRAA? What has been your favorite experience so far?
I was a member before and lapsed a year or two. This year is a new experience with everything going remote due to COVID and I've really enjoyed my mentor circle meet ups on Zoom.

2.      How has WALRAA helped you in your field?
Being able to talk to peers and gauge what other firms are doing during the crisis has been a huge help. My global director appreciates that I am a member and have a sense of the DC market.

3.      How did you first learn about and get started in Attorney Recruiting/Career Services?
When I joined Dechert 10 years ago I had no clue about the law firm recruiting process and was actually working in office administration/general HR. When the recruiting coordinator left the firm there wasn't a need for a full-time recruiter in DC given the size and scope of the program and I was asked to take on the minimal (at the time) duties. Since then our summer program has grown with additional recruiting responsibilities added in DC and I have been lucky enough to progress with the position.

4.      What is your favorite moment of your career so far?
Our firm rolled out Gratitude cards last year and when I received one from our Chief of Talent recognizing my work and team spirit I was on cloud nine. Also, the first time I managed a Georgetown OCI hospitality suite by myself was a huge accomplishment.

5.      What is it that challenges you most in your job?
Trying to balance our summer program acceptances to ensure a cross-section of schools and diversity is difficult each year, but fun. We have enjoyed increased acceptance rates in DC the last 2 years, which makes balancing offer extensions even more difficult. It will be interesting to see how our offers play out post COVID.

6.      How do you balance your career and personal life?
I am very lucky to have an amazing partner in life. My husband does daycare drop off and pick up as mush as I do and understands the odd schedule of law firm recruiting/OCI. I also have a great director who allows me the flexibility to attend different school and daycare functions. I grew up with a working mom and I remember her always being at my school plays and presentations, so I try to do the same for my kids.

7.      What professional goals have you set for yourself this year?
This year I'd like to expand my network within WALRAA. Also, since we suspended our summer program I'm taking on projects with our Global Director of Professional Development and it's been interesting seeing that side of things.

8.      What is the best professional advice you have received?
Take the chances you're offered to learn new things and if nothing is offered, ask for it. Don't pigeon-hole yourself into one tiny field because you never know how things can change and what skills or experience might be needed down the line. I've worked with many departments at our firm now, even managing the secretaries in DC at one time, and the experience I've gained is immeasurable.

9.      What do you like to do for fun?
I love to walk in nature. We try to get out with the kids each weekend to some national/state/local park or trail and walk. Even in the rain! I read the book There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather when I was pregnant with my son and my husband has drunk the kool-aid. There's really no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing, so as long as you're geared up you can walk and enjoy nature any time. Maybe not in a hurricane or tornado, but any other time! I also love to read and cook. I don't bake though, it's too precise!

10.  Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
I'm obsessed with British TV and the royals but I've never been to England! It's on my bucket list, especially since my 7 year old is asking to go now too.