Haynes and Boone, LLP Associate CJ Donald has been named to the Chambers Diversity & Inclusion Awards: North America 2020 shortlist of future leaders. The finalists will be recognized at a Sept. 24 awards event.
To be shortlisted, nominees must demonstrate their commitment to being true diversity and inclusion pioneers in the legal profession.
“These awards celebrate the fantastic achievements of firms and individuals who are furthering the advancement of diversity and inclusion across the USA and Canada,” Chambers states on its website. “This year’s awards provide the opportunity to shine the spotlight on role models and trailblazers in pro bono and corporate social responsibility as well as inclusion.”
CJ, a member of Haynes and Boone’s Finance Practice Group, was nominated for his work in D&I at the firm and in the Dallas community. Not only does he manage a busy finance practice, but he is heavily involved in the firm’s recruiting and D&I efforts and serves as a formal and informal mentor for dozens of diverse young lawyers.
“The firm is working hard to attract, retain, and promote individuals who reflect the global marketplace, the firm’s clients, and the communities we serve,” said Diversity and Inclusion Director Jennifer Reddien. “We are fortunate to have CJ on the team helping minorities and other young professionals get their feet off the ground.”
CJ’s leadership continues outside the firm through organizations such as the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL). He joined DAYL in 2017 and served several years on its Equal Access to Justice Committee, including as co-chair in 2019 and 2020. He serves on DAYL’s Board of Directors and is DAYL’S Board Liaison for its Deal Boot Camp and Equal Access to Justice Committees. The boot camp committee provides a Continuing Legal Education seminar for associate-level transactional lawyers that Haynes and Boone hosts. The Equal Access to Justice Committee organizes an annual fundraiser benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), which recruits and trains attorneys to provide free legal help to low-income people in Dallas County. CJ also helps DVAP clients through his pro bono work.
CJ has also shown leadership with dialogue around race relations following the death of George Floyd. Last month, he participated in a Haynes and Boone panel discussion on “Race Relations in the U.S.: Using Dialogue as a Catalyst for Change.” Also in June, he authored an article in The American Lawyer about how law firms need to move the needle on social justice and laid out specific steps firms can take to improve the trajectory of diverse lawyers and staff.
"If we waste this moment, we will certainly be here again, talking past each other, waiting for future generations to cure the ills of our society," he wrote.
In addition to his DAYL and DVAP service, CJ has served on the Board of Directors for Genesis Young Leaders (GYL) since 2018. GYL is a group of young professionals who share a commitment to ending domestic violence. He served as co-secretary of GYL and was on GYL’s Membership Committee for the 2019-2020 board year.
The?2020 Chambers award recipients will be?announced virtually at 1 p.m. Central time Thursday, Sept. 24, during a ceremony that celebrates key achievements in the market. The event will include a keynote speech and special performance. To learn more, click here.
To be shortlisted, nominees must demonstrate their commitment to being true diversity and inclusion pioneers in the legal profession.
“These awards celebrate the fantastic achievements of firms and individuals who are furthering the advancement of diversity and inclusion across the USA and Canada,” Chambers states on its website. “This year’s awards provide the opportunity to shine the spotlight on role models and trailblazers in pro bono and corporate social responsibility as well as inclusion.”
CJ, a member of Haynes and Boone’s Finance Practice Group, was nominated for his work in D&I at the firm and in the Dallas community. Not only does he manage a busy finance practice, but he is heavily involved in the firm’s recruiting and D&I efforts and serves as a formal and informal mentor for dozens of diverse young lawyers.
“The firm is working hard to attract, retain, and promote individuals who reflect the global marketplace, the firm’s clients, and the communities we serve,” said Diversity and Inclusion Director Jennifer Reddien. “We are fortunate to have CJ on the team helping minorities and other young professionals get their feet off the ground.”
CJ’s leadership continues outside the firm through organizations such as the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL). He joined DAYL in 2017 and served several years on its Equal Access to Justice Committee, including as co-chair in 2019 and 2020. He serves on DAYL’s Board of Directors and is DAYL’S Board Liaison for its Deal Boot Camp and Equal Access to Justice Committees. The boot camp committee provides a Continuing Legal Education seminar for associate-level transactional lawyers that Haynes and Boone hosts. The Equal Access to Justice Committee organizes an annual fundraiser benefiting the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program (DVAP), which recruits and trains attorneys to provide free legal help to low-income people in Dallas County. CJ also helps DVAP clients through his pro bono work.
CJ has also shown leadership with dialogue around race relations following the death of George Floyd. Last month, he participated in a Haynes and Boone panel discussion on “Race Relations in the U.S.: Using Dialogue as a Catalyst for Change.” Also in June, he authored an article in The American Lawyer about how law firms need to move the needle on social justice and laid out specific steps firms can take to improve the trajectory of diverse lawyers and staff.
"If we waste this moment, we will certainly be here again, talking past each other, waiting for future generations to cure the ills of our society," he wrote.
In addition to his DAYL and DVAP service, CJ has served on the Board of Directors for Genesis Young Leaders (GYL) since 2018. GYL is a group of young professionals who share a commitment to ending domestic violence. He served as co-secretary of GYL and was on GYL’s Membership Committee for the 2019-2020 board year.
The?2020 Chambers award recipients will be?announced virtually at 1 p.m. Central time Thursday, Sept. 24, during a ceremony that celebrates key achievements in the market. The event will include a keynote speech and special performance. To learn more, click here.