Like
all
Biglaw
firms,
Kirkland
&
Ellis
pours
resources
into
its
pro
bono
efforts.
And
though
attorneys
have
an
opportunity
to
expand
their
legal
acumen
through
the
program,
its
not
everyday
attorneys
get
to
actually
bond
with
their
clients.
One
of
Kirkland’s
pro
bono
clients
is
The
Brave
House.
It’s
a
NYC-based
non-profit
that
works
with
immigrant
and
refugee
girls
and
young
women,
with
a
focus
on
survivors
of
gender-based
violence.
They
use
a
holistic
model
that
offers
free
legal
aid,
educational
and
job
advocacy,
leadership
training,
mental
health
services,
and
community
events—all
within
a
safe
and
supportive
environment
built
on
friendship,
resilience,
and
trust.
Last
month,
the
firm
hosted
an
event
to
bring
together
the
members
of
Brave
House
and
the
attorneys
that
work
on
their
behalf.
The
event
was
a
signature
of
The
Brave
House
—
called
I
Know
Her,
that’s
designed
to
make
networking
events
fun.
One
of
our
signature
programs,
I
Know
Her,
is
a
fun
and
inclusive
networking
event
designed
to
make
networking
approachable
and
accessible.
The
evening
includes
a
hands-on
training
session
followed
by
guided
activities
such
as
speed-dating,
discussion
groups,
and
a
platform
where
our
members
can
get
on
the
mic
and
ask
for
connections,
advice,
or
mentorship
to
help
achieve
their
goals.
Networking
is
a
skill
that
isn’t
typically
taught,
so
we
aim
to
provide
a
welcoming
space
where
members
can
learn
concrete
strategies,
practice
them,
and
connect
with
our
network
of
volunteers
who
are
eager
to
give
back.
I
attended
the
November
14th
event,
and
I
have
to
say
—
it
was
actually
a
good
time.
Networking
often
feels
like
a
necessary
evil
for
professional
growth,
but
the
folks
at
Brave
House
turned
the
concept
on
its
head
and
made
everyone
feel
welcome.
Victoria
J.
Ryan,
Partner
at
Kirkland
and
Brave
House
Board
Member,
said,
“It’s
such
a
unique
opportunity
for
us
as
attorneys
to
get
to
know
our
pro
bono
clients
in
a
new,
more
personal
way
by
hosting
the
Brave
House
and
its
members
for
this
event.
It’s
so
important
to
engage
with
our
neighbors
here
in
New
York
City
and
I
am
grateful
to
be
able
to
work
with
The
Brave
House
and
share
that
relationship
with
my
colleagues
at
Kirkland
&
Ellis.”
While
Lauren
Blodgett,
Executive
Director
&
Founder
of
The
Brave
House,
noted
how
special
the
event
was,
“Hosting
I
Know
Her
at
Kirkland
&
Ellis,
one
of
our
dedicated
pro
bono
partners,
was
especially
meaningful.
Many
of
our
members
are
aspiring
lawyers
or
are
interested
in
legal
careers,
and
this
event
allowed
them
to
practice
networking
in
a
space
directly
aligned
with
their
dreams.
It’s
an
honor
and
joy
to
connect
our
members
with
tailored,
dignified
resources
like
these,
and
we
look
forward
to
creating
more
opportunities
like
this
in
the
future.
If
you’re
interested
in
partnering
with
us,
we’d
love
to
hear
from
you!”
If
you’re
interested
in
spending
some
of
your
hard-earned
bonus
money
supporting
this
worth
cause
on
Giving
Tuesday,
you
can
do
so
here.
Kathryn
Rubino
is
a
Senior
Editor
at
Above
the
Law,
host
of
The
Jabot
podcast,
and
co-host
of
Thinking
Like
A
Lawyer.
AtL
tipsters
are
the
best,
so
please
connect
with
her.
Feel
free
to
email
her
with
any
tips,
questions,
or
comments
and
follow
her
on
Twitter
@Kathryn1 or
Mastodon
@[email protected].