Michael Best is pleased to announce that Devin Hayes and Madeline Schmid have been selected to be members of the 2023 class of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Pathfinders, a seven-month professional program designed to train high-performing, early-career attorneys on foundational leadership and relationship-building. The program provides participants with the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the legal profession along with experts in the fields of learning and development and executive coaching.
“We congratulate Devin and Madeline for their selection to the LCLD Pathfinders program,” said David Krutz, Firm Managing Partner. “They each have demonstrated a commitment to Michael Best’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and I look forward to seeing both of them make an impact on our profession as we promote inclusivity.”
The Pathfinder program provides participants with practical tools for developing and leveraging internal professional networks, leadership skills and an understanding of career development strategies. In addition to full class programming, each participant is placed in a small group that is led by a Program Facilitator who serves as a mentor to help the Pathfinder connect what they learn in the program to the organization at which they work.
LCLD President Robert J. Grey, added, “Much thought and research is behind the design of the Pathfinder program, which will serve to advance high-potential diverse attorneys to the next level of their careers.”
From class meetings to group peer circles, this year’s 462 LCLD Pathfinders will have several opportunities to interact and network with their peers, both in person and in a virtual format. This is in addition to the exclusive leadership and professional-development curriculum that has always distinguished the LCLD Pathfinder Program.
Pathfinders are selected by leaders at LCLD member corporations and law firms. They have been identified as diverse, early-career emerging leaders who have distinguished—or have the potential to distinguish—themselves within their organizations.