On Monday, March 20, Sidley’s New York office hosted a program entitled “Forging Pathways: The Advancement of Diverse Women in Law” to discuss a recent American Bar Association report stating that women of color are disappearing from BigLaw, despite efforts made to increase the pipeline for women of color in BigLaw.

Among the panelists was Miki Kamijyo, Chief Compliance Office and Legal Counsel at GreenOak Real Estate LP, an active member of AABANY’s In-House Counsel Committee.

She joined a panel comprised of Nicolaine Lazarre, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, National Urban League; Maria Melendez, Partner, Sidley Austin (NY); Fiona Philip, Partner, Sidley Austin (DC); and Laura Barzilai, Partner and Chair of the Committee on Retention and Promotion of Women, Sidley Austin (NY).

Moderated by Eno M. Usoro, Associate and Co-Chair of the New York Associate Committee on Diversity and Inclusion at Sidley, the discussion covered a wide range of topics, such as the definition of success, the importance of mentorship and empowerment of women in BigLaw, among other subjects. 

On defining success, Miki shared that if she is able to balance the demands of work and the profession along with her duties as a mother and wife, she feels successful. On that point, Miki has been featured in the New Republic and the New York Times on professional women juggling work and family life.

Thanks to all the speakers and Sidley for hosting a well-attended, well-presented and much-needed discussion on advancing women and diversity in BigLaw. Thanks also to the many members from AABANY who were able to attend and to Sidley for extending the invitation.