News & Knowledge

FormanWatkins recently concluded its Diversity Pipeline Program’s pre-law school bootcamp. Students from Tougaloo College, an historically black college located in Jackson, Mississippi, participated in an all-day educational event featuring a Q&A panel discussion with the firm’s summer clerks on what to expect the first year in law school; a seminar taught by FWK associates, Katherine Pettis and Chandler C. Agee, on case briefing and outlining; and, a mock law school lecture by University of Mississippi School of Law Professor Larry J. Pittman. In addition to the bootcamp, the students spent their spring break at the firm participating in a week-long series of activities that included a civil litigation legal education seminar, attorney shadowing opportunities and panel discussions with outside counsel. In partnership with the pre-law society at Tougaloo College, the FWK Pipeline Program is a firm diversity initiative to recruit stellar students attending historically black colleges and universities with an interest to practice law. All program participants are set to attend law school in the fall on full scholarships. Participants included: Precious Thompson, George Washington University Law School Amber Magee, Suffolk University Law School Clifford Benton, Jr., Suffolk University Law School Pierrerasha Goodwin, University of Alabama Law School Octavius Henderson, Vermont Law School Marvin Dale, Jr., Washburn University School of Law Samuel Patterson, III, Drake University Law School Kevana Funches, Columbia University School of Professional Studies

FormanWatkins partner Malissa Wilson culminated her tenure as chair of the Mississippi Bar’s Diversity Committee with a workshop bringing together thought leaders, law school representatives and c-suite diversity officers to discuss diversity, inclusion and equity best practices for attracting and retaining diverse talent at law firms. The half-day workshop featured D&I committee chairs from various Mississippi firms, including FWK D&I Chair, Caroline Upchurch, who spoke on the topic of “What’s Working & What’s Not Working.” The workshop also featured a session on rethinking summer law clerk program recruitment and a corporate D&I representatives roundtable discussion.

The Diversity Pipeline Program is a three-and-a-half-day program for Tougaloo College pre-law students interest­ed in pursuing a career as a civil litigator. The FormanWatkins Jackson office hosted Amber Magee, Kevana Funches, Precious Thompson, Pierrerasha Goodwin and Octavious Henderson for the 2022 Diversity Pipeline Program. In addition to attending seminars providing overviews of “firm life,” civil litigation and the firm’s practice areas, the students partook in discussions regarding the firm’s Pro Bono, Recruiting, and Diversity & Inclusion committees. The students also attended speaker sessions led by diverse in-house counsel who are major firm clients and were given a legal research assignment with an opportunity to prepare a written memorandum of their findings. Firm attorneys led a professional development and resume workshop for the students. The firm also assigned attorney mentors during the program to facilitate discussions and to help with the research assignment. The program concluded with the Tougaloo students attending in-person criminal hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer-Isaac of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. At the conclusion of the hearings, Judge Greer-Isaac spoke with the students and held a question-and-answer session. This year’s group of students were smart, enjoyable and demonstrated a true eagerness to learn more about the legal profession. Amber, Kevana, Precious, Pierrerasha and Octavious are part of the Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Program at Tougaloo College under the direction of Julian Miller, an attorney in the FormanWatkins Jackson office. With highest academic honors, these students recently graduated from Tougaloo College […]

When I joined Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP, as a senior associate in October 2019, I did not initially envision my existing role as the pre-law director at Tougaloo College, an historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, would so quickly intersect with my responsibilities at the firm. As the pre-law director, I was constantly seeking opportunities for my students to gain exposure to the law and legal profession. I have always believed that exposing diverse undergrad students, many of whom would be first-generation attorneys, to the legal profession would have the immediate benefit of improving their success in law school and the long-term benefit of success as a practicing attorney.

We are proud to announce Sampada Kapoor’s election to the newly formed Diversity Council at the University of Mississippi School of Law. The Council is composed of law school alumnus and works with various departments at the School of Law including admissions, student services, fundraising and bar preparations. Sam also serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division and is honored as a Mid-South Rising Star and Leader in Law by the Mississippi Business Journal.

In June, Forman Watkins & Krutz attorneys participated in a Lunch-and-Learn hosted by the Firm’s Women’s Initiative, with attorneys from several FormanWatkins offices sharing valuable takeaways from the 2021 DRI Women in the Law Seminar.  

FormanWatkins recently welcomed counsel from Baker Hughes to participate in FormanWatkins’ Diversity Pipeline Program.  Regina Jones, Chief Legal Officer, and Amy Blumrosen, Senior Litigation Counsel, spoke to current students and recent graduates from Tougaloo College and Jackson State University about pursuing a career in the legal field.

DRI recently held their annual Diversity for Success Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Vernon McFarland served on the Law Student Forum Panel designed to give open and straightforward answers to future attorneys on what to expect in the profession.  The discussion included creating a career path, best practices during job interviews and navigating obstacles unique to attorneys from underrepresented backgrounds. University of Mississippi Law FWK Summer Associate, Hope Thompson, attended the seminar and enjoyed the panel and connecting peers and panelists.

FormanWatkins is proud to announce our Diversity Pipeline Program, a three and a half day program for Tougaloo College students interested in pursuing a career as a civil litigator. Our Jackson team hosted Clifford Benton, Ayanna Hill, and Tia Patrick in April for the 2021 Program. The students attended seminars each of the three days to provide an overview of “firm life.”

On January 25, 2021, Forman Watkins & Krutz hosted renowned diversity and inclusion and leadership expert Dr. Arin Reeves (@DrArinNReeves1), from Nextions, to speak to the Firm regarding effective leadership.