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Community Engagement

Fostering an inclusive community, celebrating differences, valuing individuals and respecting colleagues creates a workplace environment where everyone feels seen, heard and valued. Our affinity groups and inclusion networks, heritage month celebrations, informal networking events and cultural programs are some of the ways we build an inclusive community at Simpson Thacher.

Affinity Groups and Inclusion Networks: our affinity groups are supportive communities where lawyers of all levels of seniority, and with common affinities and/or interests, collaborate to foster greater inclusion at the Firm, with particular focus on associate engagement. The Firm maintains seven affinity groups which are open to lawyers from any practice area, office and affinity who wish to participate.

  • Asian Affinity Group
  • Black Lawyers Network
  • Colegas (Latinx)
  • Parents Affinity Group
  • South Asian Affinity Group
  • STB Proud (LGBTQ)
  • Middle Eastern / North African Network

Inclusion Networks: similar to affinity groups, our inclusion networks are supportive communities comprised of lawyers across all levels of seniority and all affinities in our U.S. offices outside of New York. Inclusion networks meet and host programs to foster greater inclusion and connectivity at the Firm with particular focus on associate and counsel engagement. The Firm supports five inclusion networks which are open to all lawyers who wish to participate.

  • Boston
  • Houston
  • Los Angeles
  • Palo Alto
  • Washington, D.C.

Inclusion and Heritage Month Programs: the Firm and Inclusion Committee host conversations that celebrate inclusion in the legal profession and in our broader communities, particularly during Heritage Month Celebrations. Some notable past guest speakers were:

  • Nicola Yoon, author
  • Juan E. Méndez, a legendary figure in global human rights circles
  • Laura Huang, distinguished professor, researcher and author
  • Lambda Legal Staff Attorney, Sruti Swaminathan, Legal Services NYC Director of Pro Bono Services, Adam Heintz, and Simpson Thacher Deputy Pro Bono Counsel, Susan Cordaro

Citywide Reception: Our Citywide Reception is an opportunity for our lawyers and law students to celebrate inclusion through thought provoking conversations as a community.

Previous Citywide Reception keynote speakers include Emmy and Peabody Award-Winning Filmmaker and Literary Scholar, Henry Louis Gates Jr.; actor and filmmaker, Taraji P. Henson; award winning actress Rita Moreno; actress and trans activist Laverne Cox; artist and writer Issa Rae; former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara; American Ballet Theatre Principal ballerina Misty Copeland; award winning playwright and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda; and lawyer and activist Bryan Stevenson.