June 9, 2023
Forman Watkins & Krutz Hosts Diversity Pipeline Program for Third Year
The Jackson office of Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP recently hosted eight students from Tougaloo College and Jackson State University for its third annual Diversity Pipeline Pre-Law Program. Kennadie Boykin, Naya Singleton and Alexandria Williams from Jackson State University and Daija Gist, Jontrell Mack, Avery Robinson, Carmen Washington and Montae’l Williams from Tougaloo College participated in this year’s program.
They were provided an overview of “firm life,” including an overview of civil defense litigation and the firm’s practice areas, along with discussions regarding the firm’s Pro Bono, Recruiting, and Diversity & Inclusion committees. The firm’s junior associates shared best practices for law school. Students also heard from diverse in-house counsel who work with civil defense firms, including Tiffanee Wade-Henderson, Associate General Counsel – Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer and Litigation at International Paper; Romika Wells, Director of Organization Development and Training at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Inc.; Bobby Owens, , General Counsel at OCI Americas; and Reginald Paige, Associate General Counsel at Sylvamo North America. There was also a professional development presentation led by executive coach, Candie Simmons, President of CLSimmons Consulting, LLC
“The mission of the Forman Watkins & Krutz Diversity Pipeline Program is to expose diverse students to the legal environment so they can see a path to life as a civil defense litigator,” says Malissa Wilson, partner and director of the firm’s Diversity Pipeline Program. “If we want to see more diversity, equity and inclusion in our legal profession, and specifically at civil defense firms, programs like these are critical in creating a pathway for diverse students to becoming a lawyer.”
Initiated in 2021, the FWK Diversity Pipeline Program is a collaboration between the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and Tougaloo College’s Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society and Jackson State University’s Bob Owens Pre-Law Center. To learn more about the FormanWatkins Diversity Pipeline Program, visit formanwatkins.com/pipeline.
Pictured, L to R: Kennadie Boykin, Jontrell Mack, Alexandria Williams, Montae’l Williams, Avery Robinson, Daija Gist, and Naya Singleton. (Not pictured, Carmen Washington.)