Black History Month Celebrations
Diversity and Inclusion Pop-Up Book Shop
To celebrate Black History Month, Venable hosted two pop-up book shops inviting our attorneys and staff to order from a complimentary selection of books that explore African and African American history. Among the selections offered were Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson; An Easy Burden: The Civil Rights Movement and the Transformation of America, by Andrew Young; and Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019, edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain. In connection with these books, the firm plans to host a series of discussion circles that will provide an opportunity for learning and reflection on racism and the ongoing struggle for equality. In addition, the firm made educational books available to the littlest members of our Venable family. Titles included The ABCs of Black History: A Children's Guide and The ABCs of Black Inventors: A Children's Guide, both authored by Venable partner Craig Thompson.
Who Inspires You?
Venable hosted a special Who Inspires You? campaign on LinkedIn during the month of February that invited various attorneys and professional staff to consider the contributions of inspirational Black figures from all walks of life. Venable personnel offered tributes to game changers like Rosa Parks, sports legends like Jackie Robinson, political leaders like Kamala Harris, and unsung heroes in their own families and beyond. To explore our campaign or share the tributes with your own networks, visit the firm's Linkedin feed.
Moments and Movements Speaker Series
Combating Hate, Racism, and Extremism: A Conversation with Karl Racine and Christian Picciolini
As part of our Moments and Movements speaker series, Venable hosted a conversation with DC attorney general and National Association of Attorneys general president Karl Racine and author, activist, and former neo-Nazi leader Christian Picciolini. The discussion covered the January 6 attack on the Capitol; America's history of radicalization, hate, and extremism; and the speakers' respective efforts to promote social and racial justice.
Black History Month Reflections: Remembering the Tulsa Massacre with Cultural Historian John W. Franklin
To commemorate the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921, Venable hosted a conversation with the esteemed historian John W. Franklin. Mr. Franklin discussed his grandfather's eyewitness account of the massacre and its aftermath, his family's extraordinary journey from enslavement to prosperity, and the necessity of confronting and learning from our nation's history of racism.
DC and Tysons Personnel Gather Virtually for MLK Day Reflections
Venable professionals from the Washington, DC and Tysons offices gathered via Zoom on January 18 for a discussion centered around the question, What would Dr. King have to say about the current state of America? The conversation was moderated by partners Claude Bailey and Brian Schwalb and brought recent events, such as the Capitol Hill insurrection and the Georgia run-off elections, into focus through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work on equality and equity in America. Partner Gordon Davis reflected on his attendance at the 1963 March on Washington, and other touchstones of the modern civil rights movement. Participants also shared the MLK quotes that remain meaningful and timely in their eyes.
Attorney Spotlight
California Community Foundation Recognizes Nikki Hasselbarth as a Rising Star for 2021
Nikki Hasselbarth, an associate in Venable's Nonprofit Organizations and Tax and Wealth Planning Practice groups, has been recognized among the California Community Foundation's (CCF) Rising Stars. This award honors professional advisors who have served the Los Angeles area for fewer than ten years. The awardees represent the next generation of advisors who are dedicated to elevating charitable giving to create an impact and achieve their clients' goals.
Entertainment Attorney William Briggs Discusses His Journey to a Successful Legal Career
Recently appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, Venable partner William Briggs talks about his career highlights, his advocacy work, and what he hopes to accomplish in his new role.
Venable Participates Once Again in Key Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Programs
This month, three of our attorneys, Danielle Lawrence, Dhananjay Adusumilli, and Witt Chang, were chosen to participate in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders and Fellows' programs. These programs target high-potential attorneys from diverse backgrounds at different points in their careers and are designed to enable participants to develop and leverage critical career advancement strategies and to cultivate leadership skills. In addition, for a sixth year Venable will be proud to host seven LCLD 1L Scholars of diverse backgrounds as part of its summer program.
Diverse. Dynamic. Dedicated.
Venable's New Diversity and Inclusion Brochure
As a firm, we have long understood the necessity of incorporating a diversity of viewpoints into the solutions we offer our clients. We're pleased to share our latest brochure, which highlights the success of our ongoing efforts to ensure Venable is a place where all voices are represented and heard.