Minority Lawyer Network (MLN)

MLN News:  On November 6 and 7, 2009, Carlton Fields’ Minority Lawyer Network hosted a retreat in the firm’s Miami office. The retreat provided Carlton Fields minority attorneys with the opportunity to socialize and hear valuable business development information from minority lawyers colleagues and firm senior management.  Click here for more information on the MLN Retreat, including photos from the retreat and panel discussion topics. 

The Minority Lawyer Network (MLN) promotes socialization among the minority lawyers within the firm, and provides an outlet for minority lawyers to receive feedback from other minority lawyers and senior management. The Network promotes the professional development of minority lawyers through mentoring and educational seminars, and provides assistance in identifying outside organizations that can facilitate career development and networking opportunities.

MLN Events
Carlton Fields regularly hosts events for minority lawyers. The purpose of the events is to highlight the importance of diversity within the firm, provide networking opportunities for minority attorneys, and provide minority attorneys with business development information and training.

• “The Next Level - Arriving and Thriving” – The firm’s Diversity Retreat featured a best practices panel discussion entitled “The Next Level - Arriving and Thriving.” The panel was comprised of young minority shareholders from other majority firms who spoke candidly about how they made it to the level of partner or shareholder and what they are doing to succeed at their new level.
• “Diversity and the Retention of Minority Lawyers” – MLN hosted Joseph W. Hatchett, the former Chief Judge of United States Court of Appeals for The Eleventh Circuit and current Chairman of the Diversity Committee for a majority law firm. In a discussion of best practices, Judge Hatchett facilitated a discussion about fostering a work environment that allows minorities to thrive and advance in their legal careers at majority law firms.
• “Capitalizing on Diversity and Relationships to Build Marketing Success” – MLN engaged a consultant to host a workshop focused on assisting Minority Lawyers with business development and growing their practices.
• “Living Black History” – George F. Knox, Jr. (listed among the “100 Most Powerful People in Miami,” by Miami Business magazine; listed as a “Power Player” in the April 2006 issue of South Florida CEO magazine; the first person of African descent to hold the position of Miami City Attorney) spoke to MLN about growing up in Florida during the era of the Civil Rights movement and the obstacles he had to overcome.

Pro Bono and Community Outreach
Carlton Fields encourages attorneys to participate actively in pro bono representation. During the summer of 2006, members of the Minority Lawyer Network joined with other members of the firm in a pro bono effort to challenge an ordinance proposed in the City of Avon Park that was based on unsubstantiated and highly discriminatory allegations regarding the purported negative impact of illegal aliens and illegal immigration on the City. Ultimately, the Ordinance was defeated by the City Council.

If you would like more information about Carlton Fields' Minority Lawyer Network, or are interested in working at Carlton Fields and want to know more about MLN, please feel free to contact the attorneys listed below.

Nancy Faggianelli
Diversity Committee Co-Chair
nfaggianelli@carltonfields.com
813.229.4321

Jason Murray
Diversity Committee Co-Chair
jmurray@carltonfields.com
305.539.7425

The following minority attorneys make up the Carlton Fields Minority Lawyer Network: