Page 19 - Katten 2025 Pro Bono Annual Review

NEW YORK ATTORNEY PARTNERS WITH BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL
TO PROVIDE CAREER CLOSET

Our New York Corporate Partner Roger Griesmeyer, an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School and co-chair of the school’s
Professional Development Committee, played a pivotal role in establishing the Career Closet at Brooklyn Law School with his
fellow committee co-chair and former student, Andrew Fleming. The Career Closet provides students with free professional
attire, ensuring they have access to appropriate attire for interviews and internships. This initiative aims to empower all students
by removing financial barriers and fostering confidence as they step into the professional world, creating a supportive environ-
ment where students can present their best selves and gain access to equal opportunities.

CHICAGO OFFICE WELCOMES CSBI DALLAS OFFICE SUPPORTS FAMILIES
INTERN IN 22ND YEAR OF INTERNSHIP IN NEED WITH ANNUAL DIAPER DRIVE
AND MENTORING PROGRAM AND VOLUNTEER DAY

For the 22nd consecutive year, our Chicago office was proud On June 11, Katten’s Dallas office held its third annual
to sponsor an intern/mentee through the Chicago Summer diaper drive and volunteer day in support of Hope Supply
Business Institute (CSBI), a City of Chicago initiative that Co., organized in conjunction with the firm’s Summer
exposes outstanding high school students from low-income Associate program. The team collected diapers, made a mon-
households to careers in finance and law. The program aims to etary donation and dedicated an afternoon to volunteering at
open doors for talented young people and help them explore the organization’s warehouse, all to benefit families in need.
professional paths, building valuable skills through hands-on Participants included Summer Associates Ayeisha Bailey,
experiences and mentorship. This year, Katten welcomed a Nelson Brown, Faith “Mika” Chavez, Silvia Montiel Morales,
sophomore from De La Salle Institute, who joined the firm for Molly Tutt, Nini Tufon and Madison Weber, Insolvency and
six weeks starting from June 23. The intern/mentee is typi- Restructuring Partner Michaela Crocker and Legal Recruiting
cally based primarily with the firm’s Government and Public Manager Jennifer Trimble.
Finance Practice Group, supervised by Government and
Public Finance Partners Chad Doobay and Kelly Hutchinson.
However, they also have opportunities to engage across vari-
ous departments and participate in one-on-one mentorship
conversations.

CONNIE HARRIS COORDINATES DEBATE TRAINING
FOR YOUTH THROUGH KATHLYN JOY GILLIAM MUSEUM

The Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Museum (Museum), run by Dallas Insolvency and Restructuring Legal Executive Assistant Connie Harris,
is a local historical landmark and a nonprofit organization that was the former home of Connie’s mother. Connie’s mother was a
pioneering civil rights and educational activist who was instrumental in desegregating the Dallas school system. Today, the
Museum serves as a learning center and memorial with a mission to empower the community through educational opportunities,
leadership development and community service. Through the Museum, Connie hosts a debate training program for 3rd to 5th
graders that builds confident, respectful debate skills and fosters independent thinking, reading, research and public speaking in
small groups for students from South Dallas and beyond. Each year, the program culminates in a trip to Atlanta for the Atlanta
Urban Debate League competition and visits to historic sites. It’s also produced growth stories, including a participant who
overcame her fears and dyslexia to become a standout debater, and another whose mother credited the program for boosting
the child’s confidence as she later starred on Broadway and in film.

“The one thing that makes my heart happy is watching them gather as a team to board the van for the competition — I realize the
light bulb has come on and that they are ready,” Connie said. “Simultaneously, I always feel my mother’s presence … as if she is
saying, ‘job well done.’”
17
Katten 2025 PRO BONO ANNUAL REVIEWAL REVIEW
Katten 2025 PR O BONO ANNU 17