Attorneys, recruiters, and diversity professionals—including alums who graduated from Fordham Law School in the last three decades—highlighted the programs that their organizations are offering to support diversity and inclusion within their ranks and in the legal community at a networking reception that drew hundreds of law students.
Fordham Law students met and mingled with representatives of close to 60 law firms and organizations, attracting a diverse group of employers including Skadden, Kirkland & Ellis, Akin Gump, Fried Frank, Cahill Gordon, O’Melveny & Myers, Weil, Venable, Kramer Levin, and Norton Rose Fulbright, among many more. The event, held in November, was sponsored by the law school’s Career Planning Center.
“I’m thrilled with the participation in this event from employers and law students alike—the excitement in the room was palpable,” said Bryna Beckler-Knoll, director of career planning and diversity in the Law School’s Career Planning Center. “It was a fantastic opportunity for all to engage with one another, learn, and see the strength of commitment to DEI from the legal industry.”
Some students said they felt more confident after networking with the firms and alumni—with one even calling the reception a “win for the legal field.”
“I was concerned about the future of DEI programs at law firms, given the scrutiny affirmative action programs have received nationally since the SCOTUS decision, and so I decided to meet with the firms myself and learn firsthand what their future plans looked like in regard to DEI initiatives,” said Ahad A. Khan ’27. “Coming to the reception and talking to various firms greatly restored my faith in the future of such important initiatives at law firms.”
Roberto P. Leito, a Class of 2026 student, said he walked away from the event “feeling empowered.”
“As a first-generation law student, finding firms yourself is already complicated and intimidating—no one is guiding your search or helping you network,” Leito said. “I engaged with attorneys who were passionate about their firms and walked away with solid connections to kick off my career. Knowing the lack of diversity in the legal field, it was encouraging to hear, as a diverse student, about how seriously firms are approaching their DEI initiatives.”
Alumni were also enthusiastic to return to the Law School and connect with students.
“This is a fantastic event for students to meet and get a feel for the firms,” said Nick Gonzalez ’22, a mergers & acquisitions and capital markets associate at Vinson & Elkins. “In my experience, it was one of these events that helped me decide to join V&E because I met a few associates who I enjoyed talking to and who shed some light into the firm’s culture.”
“I started my career at a boutique firm and was recruited out of Fordham,” said Bindu Donovan ’98, partner in Desmarais’ life sciences practice. “I think the school really prepared me for the practice of law, and I believe—and in my own experience—it’s held in high regard by firms. It’s been a great opportunity for me and I’m here to give back in that way.”
