Page 61 - NYLJ Professional Excellence 2021

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

JEREMIAH

DeBERRY

Partner at Mayer Brown

What are some of your proudest recent achievements?
I am proud of the firm’s progress on creating
a more diverse and inclusive work-environ-
ment. As a result of my participation on the
firm’s global partner promotion committee
a record percentage of diverse attorneys
were promoted to partner in 2020—the part-
ner promotion class was the most diverse
in the firm’s history.
I’m also proud of the firm’s recently launched speaker
series on being Black in America. This series focuses on a
number of important topics including, racial justice in cor-
porate America, structural racism in America’s institutions,
America’s criminal justice system’s impact on Black Ameri- of firm leaders about how they can contribute to the
cans the impact of race on Artificial Intelligence and machine firm’s efforts to create and maintain a diverse and inclu-
learning. sive work environment has helped me to devise strate-
Through candid conversations about these issues, we hope gies and initiatives that have led to much greater and
to become better allies to our Black colleagues, our friends meaningful engagement of the various stakeholders at the
and our family members. firm.
Additionally, I’m exceptionally proud of the firm’s “Project The two leaders also taught me to lead with empathy and
Equity” initiative that was launched last year in response to compassion. Following this advice has made me a much
the many recent examples of social and racial injustice. As a more effective leader who engenders loyalty from those
member of the five-person task force leadership team, I help who I am responsible to lead.
guide and organize the firm’s community-facing response,
including working with community organizations in the How are the business and profession of law changing,
NYC area that the firm believes it can effectively match up and how should lawyers adapt for the future? The pro-
its skills, experience and resources with a very significant fession is becoming more of a business than profession
community need. and business development will continue to take on greater
significance.
Name a lawyer or mentor whose leadership inspired you. Interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and nurture
Paul Theiss and Barry Brooks. These law firm leaders taught professional relationships will become paramount. The legal
me invaluable lessons. But one of the most important les- profession is a relationship business. The sooner you start
sons was the importance of being a good listener. This advice expanding your network and establishing a professional
helped me to become a much better attorney by being able reputation—by leveraging the power and scope of social
to better understand the clients’ needs and objectives which media platforms—the better.
resulted in better outcomes being produced by me and The profession is also becoming more diverse and inclu-
my team. sive. Embracing and supporting this seismic change will
This advice has also served me well in my role as the lead to a better profession, as it strives to ensure a criminal
chief diversity professional—listening to the concerns justice system that is fair and equal.

Photo: Mayer Brown | October 2021 59