Cahill is committed to fostering an environment where all individuals are respected, understood and appreciated. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is inclusive of our differences, and we believe that the diverse backgrounds of our lawyers and staff foster creativity and innovation that enable us to provide a higher level of service to our clients.
Cahill was an original signatory of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York's (ABCNY) 1991 "Statement of Diversity Principles" and a signatory to the ABCNY's revised "Statement of Diversity Principles" in 2003. As such, the firm has undertaken:
- To seek to hire entry level classes that substantially reflect the diversity of students graduating from law schools.
- To seek to maintain representative diversity as lawyers develop at all levels within our firm.
- To seek to develop diversity enhancing programs and initiatives to support our diversity goals.
Diversity Committee
We recognize that promoting diversity is an evolutionary process that requires continuous efforts, including periodic benchmarking and critical evaluations of processes and results. The Diversity Committee leads Cahill's efforts to recruit, retain and promote lawyers of color, women and other groups that have been traditionally under-represented in large law firms. The Diversity Committee meets with members of the Hiring Committee, the Associate Liaison Committee and the Executive Committee in order to coordinate the Diversity Committee's initiatives.
Cahill's Diversity Committee has undertaken numerous initiatives resulting in:
- Extension of paid paternity leave from two weeks to four weeks.
- Establishment of firm-wide affinity groups that organize social events and participate in events throughout the New York legal community.
- Participation in the "Legal Professional Roundtable" organized under the auspices of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation ("ESPA").
- Participation in job fairs directed at a broad spectrum of interests throughout the country, including those organized by the Harvard BLSA, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Law Association of Greater New York ("LeGal") and Vault.
Cahill has adopted a leadership role in the New York legal community through its sponsorship and participation in key diversity-focused events, including the Asian American Bar Association of New York's Annual Banquet, the New York Women's Foundation's Celebrating Women® Breakfast, NAACP Legal Defense Fund Annual Equal Justice Awards Dinner, Lamda Legal's Liberty Awards National Dinner, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation ("GLAAD") Media Awards.
We have provided funding support to the Black Law Student Associations at Harvard Law School, Fordham Law School and Columbia Law School and the Asian American Student Association at Fordham Law School.
Work / Life Balance
We recognize that a time may come when experienced lawyers want to strike a different balance in their lives, because of family-related demands or other circumstances. Our work / life balance policy is, by design, not highly structured. Arrangements for each individual are tailored to his or her needs with consideration given to the needs of the firm and the area in which he or she practices. Cahill is committed to working with any experienced attorney to consider and develop alternative work arrangements. In addition, women who return to the firm after giving birth or adopting a child are given the option to work at a reduced load for up to three months at proportionate pay. This option is extended to women attorneys to help make a smooth transition back to work after maternity leave. This benefit is in addition to Cahill's existing maternity and paternity leave policies and does not restrict other opportunities to work alternative schedules.
Pro Bono Work
In addition to fostering diversity at Cahill, we also believe in providing legal services to people of differing economic status. Cahill has a long tradition of providing legal and civic pro bono services to deserving clients who could not otherwise afford to pay for quality representation. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, Cahill was the honored recipient of the Pro Bono Publico Award by The Legal Aid Society, presented "in recognition of Cahill's outstanding commitment to the cause of equal justice through pro bono service" for its work in these areas. A number of our associates have been presented with individual awards by The Legal Aid Society for their personal contributions.
