Advancing DE&I Efforts on Hiring and Recruiting Committees: What You Need to Know as an Early Career Attorney

Hiring and recruiting committees are often time at the epicenter of building diverse firms and corporate legal departments. Early career attorneys (with 0-8 years of experience) are invited to join a panel discussion with attorneys who have been on the frontlines of recruiting efforts at their organizations!

Panelists Rebekah Bailey (Nichols Kaster), Jayna Paquin (Target), Chris Pham (Fredrikson & Byron), and Bryan Carter (Wells Fargo), along with moderator Navita Lakhram (Fredrikson & Byron) will share best practices for adding value to your organization’s recruiting efforts.  Our panelists will address all aspects of serving on a hiring committee, including: 

• Why do attorneys join a hiring committee?
• How to get on to a hiring committee and how do you self-advocate for the role?
• How to evaluate candidates at all stages
• How to make valuable contributions and ensure your voice is heard
• How do you establish a strong reputation on a hiring committee?
• What should you not do when serving on a hiring committee?
• What should you do if you feel you are on a hiring committee and not being heard? I.e., what might attorneys of color do if they feel tokenized?
• What are some of the differences between hiring committees across organizations? (Larger firm, corporate legal department, smaller firm, etc.)

Jayna Paquin: Jayna Paquin has been a member of Target’s Corporate Law group for nearly fifteen years.  Her practice is focused on the Pay & Benefits programs Target provides to its 400,000 team members.  She’s been involved in Target’s legal pro bono program since helping establish it over a decade ago and supports Target’s DE&I efforts in several capacities.  Before coming to Target, Jayna was an Associate with the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney.

Chris Pham: At Fredrikson & Byron, Chris’ clients range from start-up entrepreneurs to nationally recognized athletes and businesses. He is committed to pro bono work and leads the firm’s inclusion & diversity initiatives. Chris is co-chair of Fredrikson & Byron’s Sports & Entertainment Group. Chris also serves as the Co-Vice President of the Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and as a TCDIP Board Member.

Rebekah Bailey: Rebekah focuses primarily on complex litigation, including qui tam actions, as well as class and collective action litigation and vigorously advocates for large groups of employees and consumers throughout the country at Nichols Kaster. She is a founding member of the firm’s Civil Rights and Impact team and Consumer Class Action Group, and she has also served as a member of the firm's National Wage and Hour Team. Rebekah volunteers through Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Housing Court ERP Project, helping tenants remain in their homes and obtain expungements of eviction actions.

Bryan Carter: Bryan Carter has been part of the Wells Fargo Legal Department since 2011.  His practice centers on third party risk management, including support for a broad range of enterprise initiatives and transactions.  He has participated in many hiring panels during his tenure.  Bryan also serves on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel.