Affinity Group-Sponsored Events

The Affinity Group for Attorneys of Color is an internal resource for its members to address career growth issues through peer networking and interaction with senior partners of the firm. This Affinity Group organizes a variety of internal networking events, including lunch meetings for its members and receptions for the entire firm. Over the past several months, the group hosted the following events:

Lunar New Year. The group hosted its annual Lunar New Year lunch on Feb. 11 to celebrate the Lunar Year of the Pig. Café de Novo’s Executive Chef, Philip Privitera, conducted a sushi demonstration, and attendees enjoyed a buffet of sushi, nigiri and dumplings. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Philip has been bringing fresh, seasonal and exciting cuisine to the firm’s Café de Novo since August 2018.

Meet the Partner. Marissa Holob, chair of the firm’s Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits practice, led a “Meet the Partner” lunch with members of the Affinity Group on Feb. 27. Marissa represents public and private companies and tax-exempt entities on design and implementation of qualified retirement plans, welfare plans, equity and incentive plans, employment agreements, and deferred compensation arrangements. She also advises on employee benefits and executive compensation issues that arise during mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other similar transactions. Marissa talked about her practice and her personal experiences in a law firm.

^{Marissa Holob}

Summer Social. The Affinity Group hosted its summer social event with Viola Chocolat on June 14. The group had an informal lunch and participants tried their hand at making a variety of truffles.

Dealing With Microaggressions. Members of the Affinity Group held a discussion on microaggressions led by Alycia Sutor, a managing director of GrowthPlay. At the July 16 event, Alycia discussed the impact of microaggressions on those on the receiving end of it and how to address the behaviors while maintaining relationships. 

^{Alycia Sutor}

The Working Parents Affinity Group provides a way to connect working parents across the firm. This group was created to address the issues these attorneys face, through ongoing group dialogue, internal networking opportunities, outside events, and formal and informal lunches.

On April 9, representatives from the firm’s Employee Assistance Program led a discussion on how to effectively find a sitter for your children. The session provided tips on interviewing child care providers and on child care resources, and addressed attendees’ questions.

The LGBT Affinity Group welcomes attorney members who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender or those who are allies of the LGBT community. The members meet internally and advocate for the improvement of the rights of LGBT individuals both within and outside the firm. The group hosts social events throughout the year and encourages attendance at those events and participation in other activities affecting the LGBT community that take place throughout the year. Members of this group are also invited to be involved in Kramer Levin’s pro bono work on matters affecting the LGBT community.

New LGBT Initiatives Lunch. The LGBT Affinity Group held two meetings over lunch in March and June to discuss potential new programming and initiatives at the firm. The lunches provided an opportunity to meet with peers across the firm.