Mayer Brown launches first-of-its-kind “Virtual Pride Parade” in partnership with clients and nonprofits

To celebrate Pride Month, Mayer Brown is bringing together leading corporations and LGBTQ organizations for a first-of-its-kind “Virtual Pride Parade.” Led by LGBTQ leaders across the firm’s US offices, in partnership with Fortune 500 companies, the National LGBT Bar Association, Lambda Legal and the It Gets Better Project, the Virtual Pride Parade includes weekly events—stops on the parade route—that will explore how LGBTQ professionals navigate the legal profession, review novel legal issues impacting the LGBTQ community, and provide opportunities to work together to support LGBTQ youth and professionals during this time.

According to Mayer Brown Chairman Paul Theiss, “Even though the present environment may keep us physically apart, it was important to Mayer Brown to find a way to still come together virtually to show support, unity, and equality with the LGBTQ community across the firm and among our clients and the greater public. We are thrilled that so many allies, including leading corporations, nonprofits and associations, are partnering with us to reinvent Pride Month. Through this virtual parade, we hope to celebrate the progress that has been made, while acknowledging the important work that is still left for all of us.”

Weekly stops on the Virtual Pride Parade route include:

• June 4: Mayer Brown partner C. Cabell Chinnis will lead a discussion with in-house LGBTQ lawyers from Accenture, American Express, AppLovin and Spotify on how their identities have impacted their professional experiences;
• June 9: M. Dru Levasseur, deputy program officer of the National LGBT Bar Association, will share LGBTQ competency training for lawyers, LGBTQ inclusion in law firms, and best practices for working with LGBTQ clients;
• June 23: The It Gets Better Project will lead a discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted the LGBTQ community and the importance of virtual connections at this time. Following the presentation, Mayer Brown will offer pro bono projects for participants to meaningfully impact LGBTQ youth and professionals;
• June 29: Mayer Brown partner and former Assistant to the Solicitor General Nicole Saharsky will moderate a discussion with Omar Gonzales-Pagan of Lambda Legal on LGBTQ cases before the US Supreme Court this term.

Mayer Brown is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment that offers every member of our team the opportunity and support to succeed. The firm promotes LGBTQ diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, provides event support and pro bono legal services for a number of LGBTQ-focused organizations, raises awareness about LGBTQ challenges locally and globally, and is consistently recognized for its inclusive firm culture and practices.