The firm supports a number of affinity groups for lawyers who share common interests or backgrounds, designed to enhance our ability to offer networking and mentoring opportunities. They include affinity groups for African-American/Black; Asian/Asian-American; Hispanic/Latino American; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT); parent and women lawyers.

Events recently sponsored by our affinity groups include:

African-American/Black

• Guest speaker: Congresswoman Terri Sewell, U.S. Representative for Alabama’s 7th District and Davis Polk alumna
  
• Attended off-Broadway performance of Luck of the Irish by Kristen Greenidge
  
• Hosted 4th Annual Davis Polk Black Alumni Dinner
  
• Attended opening-night performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Asian/Asian-American

• Biennial Asian partner panel discussions on topics such as how ethnicity has affected their career paths, and the benefits and challenges of practicing overseas
  
• Hosted panel discussions by Davis Polk alumni on how their experiences impacted their post-Davis Polk careers
  
• Guest speaker: the Honorable Kiyo A. Matsumoto, EDNY, on her path to the bench
  
• Hosted a sushi handroll-making class with an area expert

Hispanic/Latino-American

• Hosted HLA partner panel on their careers at Davis Polk
  
• Attended Broadway performance of Evita starring Ricky Martin
  
• Hosted speed mentoring event for new diverse associates
  
• Co-hosted Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca for an exclusive in-house performance and reception

LGBT

• Hosted LeGal panel discussion on 2012 “Year in Review” of top LGBT developments in the courts and various legislatures
  
• Hosted annual citywide networking event for LGBT lawyers
  
• Fielded a team for AIDS Walk New York
  
• Attended Greenwich Village walking tour

Davis Polk Parents

• Hosted partner panel discussion “What I Wish I Knew: Parents of Teens and Young Adults Share Their Experiences”
  
• Guest speaker: Timothy Verduin, Ph.D., Associate Director of the NYU Child Study Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  
• Guest speaker: author Kim John Payne on his book Simplicity Parenting
  
• Guest speaker: Dr. Susan Sherkow, Supervising Analyst and Instructor in the Child and Adolescent Division of the New York Psychoanalytic Institute, on the topic of creating healthy eating habits for children

DPWomen

• Guest speaker: Helene Madonick, General Counsel, Global Health, at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, discussing her career in private practice and at a global foundation
  
• Hosted a networking event for women associates and their peer-level clients with a keynote speech by partner Kimberley Harris, former White House Deputy Counsel and Deputy Assistant to President Obama (2010-2012)
  
• Panel discussion on Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
  
• Guest speaker: Jane Fraser, Global CEO - Citi Private Bank, providing career advice to our women lawyers