Law Firm Challenge: Message from the Chair

The 2012-13 Law Firm Challenge is officially underway!  I am excited to begin my tenure as Challenge Chair, and while I know that I have big shoes to fill following the success of last year’s Challenge, I am confident that this year’s Challenge will exceed our expectations. 

As many of you may know, this year we are launching the Dean’s Circle Challenge, where we encourage all of our alumni who are partners at firms participating in the Challenge to give a gift at the Dean’s Circle level.  The Dean’s Circle, the Law School’s giving society, recognizes those individuals who make an annual contribution to the Law School of $1,000 or more.  The partners at those firms with the highest percentage of Dean’s Circle giving at the close of this fiscal year will be invited to attend small regional receptions with Dean Schill over the summer and in the early fall.  In addition, the firms will be acknowledged prominently on the Law School website and in other venues.

Last year, the overall participation rate for the Challenge was 60%, and our goal this year is to increase participation to 61%.  It’s still early in the competition, but check the current standings to size up the competition and see where your firm currently ranks. If you haven’t already made your gift this fiscal year (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013), please do so today to help your firm achieve 100% participation. Remember, all gifts to the Law School – no matter the size or designation – count for purposes of the Challenge. Your Firm Representatives can provide you with additional details.  If your firm is not already participating in the Challenge, please take a moment to read about the Challenge and volunteer your services as a Firm Representative.   

The Challenge is an important component of the Law School’s fundraising efforts, but it is also a great way for those of us at firms to make a collective impact, foster camaraderie and pride among our alumni, and increase the participating firms’ visibility among current students. To that end, the winners of the Challenge will receive special recognition on the Law School’s website, in The Record, during on-campus interviewing, and will also be recognized at student events at the Law School.

Thank you for your enthusiasm and support, and good luck!

Chuck Smith, JD ’87

Chair of the Law Firm Challenge and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP