Milbank LLP partners Patrick Campbell, Kamal Nesfield and Alex Romain, along with former Milbank partner Jerome McCluskey, are featured in the 2022 Black In-House Counsel (BIHC) Annual Report. The unique and timely publication chronicles the success of Black attorneys in both corporations and law firms while documenting the ongoing diversity challenges being faced throughout the American legal industry. For the report, the attorneys describe some of the opportunities and challenges they encounter as leaders in the legal space.
Extolling the mentoring opportunities at Milbank, Mr. Campbell comments that it’s “one of the most fulfilling parts of being at Milbank: the ability to work with a dedicated team of associates who are looking to the partners for leadership, mentoring and training, from the first time they walk in the door to when they are trying to make partner.”
Mr. Nesfield comments on the intricacies of acting for clients who are themselves in the client service business. “Instead of trying to win the most points or defeat the other side, my job is to protect my client while helping them provide services to their own commercially savvy client. When done right, it is deeply rewarding work.”
“What I have looked to do is to be available, as well as committed to sharing my experiences, so that others can learn from my mistakes,” explains Mr. Romain. “You need to not only bring people in but also to support them so that, years from now, they have a business case to become a partner.”
Mr. Nesfield and Mr. Romain spoke at the BIHC’s recent Elevating Black Excellence Summit, a full-day virtual event that showcases the talents of Black attorneys before an audience of influential in-house counsel. Mr. Nesfield reviewed the “Latest Trends and Hot Button Issues in the Large Cap Leveraged and Syndicated Loan Market,” while Mr. Romain discussed “Class Action Trends.”
The BIHC is a premier source of information and engagement for Black attorneys across the legal industry. The mission of Black In-House Counsel (BIHC) is to increase awareness of Black attorneys in Fortune 500 legal departments and AmLaw 100 law firms. Through events, publications, digital networks, career development programs, and hands-on events, BIHC is helping to forge a new path for Black attorneys at law firms and in-house legal departments.
May 19, 2022
