Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Cleary Gottlieb is a vibrant and engaging community that is home to an eclectic group of people of various backgrounds.
At Cleary, all members of our community are deserving of respect and appreciation for the contributions that they make as individuals within our firm. This principle was central to our firm’s founding and by embedding it in the way that we work, we have made diversity, equity and inclusion part of our ongoing identity. We champion diversity, equity, and inclusion to create equal opportunities for all to develop and succeed – and invite everyone to participate in our efforts to provide a workplace in which we all can thrive.
Our culture of inclusion is reflective of our global legal practice. We collaborate daily with clients around the world on matters involving a broad array of legal, business, and social/cultural perspectives. To further ensure that we remain an open and innovative workplace, we support community outreach and training programs focusing on issues of diversity and the unique perspectives that our lawyers bring to their practice.
We believe that our entire team benefits from interacting with the creativity, talents and perspectives of people from different backgrounds and experiences, and that our firm-wide efforts to nurture diverse perspectives helps us more effectively serve our clients.
Cleary offers a wide variety of networks and programs, all of which are open to lawyers of all backgrounds and identities. These include:
Women’s Working Groups and Leadership Committees
All Cleary lawyers, including associates and partners, may attend training sessions on career networking and professional development organized by our Women’s Working Groups and leadership committees in various offices. Activities include networking receptions, lunch discussions with a variety of internal and external speakers, and events with Cleary alumni. Participants benefit from a sense of community and learn to hone their professional networking skills.
Law Student Outreach
Cleary hosts a series of on-campus chats with a broad range of affinity groups from various law schools; these include African American, Latinx, Asian American, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, LGBTQ+, and many other law student associations. The forums engender lively discussions about thriving as a new lawyer within large law firms.
In addition to Cleary-hosted conversations, the firm participates on panels, job fairs and receptions, among others, hosted by a broad array of student organizations at dozens of law schools across the country.
Cleary is an inaugural supporter and longtime participant of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO), a program that provides students from underserved backgrounds with internships and training prior to their first year of law school.
NYC Legal Outreach
This one-week program is designed to give students from underserved neighborhoods an introduction to life as a lawyer, including negotiating mock contracts and litigating a case before a group of volunteer “judges.”
Washington Irving Campus Partnership
In 1991, Cleary launched an initiative with Washington Irving High School, a New York City public school aiming to mentor, tutor and advise students in their preparation for college and adult life. Additionally, we coordinate after-school clubs such as mock trial and model United Nations, hire student interns, and sponsor annual events to promote the students’ various academic and cultural talents.
Open Benefits Policy
To fully support our lawyers, we offer generous parental leaves. If circumstances allow, we also provide flexible work schedules. Our benefits policy is open to same-sex couples.
Cleary commits to providing equal employment opportunities. Firm-sponsored programming and initiatives are open to all, regardless of race, color, citizenship, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by law.