I was attracted to Dechert for its impressive private equity platform as well as the quality and professionalism of the many lawyers across its offices worldwide. My journey to success at Dechert has been a testament to the power of diversity and the importance of a supportive, inclusive culture to integrate me into the firm and make me a part of the team. Born in Brazil to Middle Eastern parents who fled from Iraq in the late 1950s, I grew up in North Carolina, surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures. This diversity has been a central theme throughout my life, shaping my worldview and my approach to how I practice law. Since joining Dechert in 2017, the firm’s collaborative culture and entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in my successful integration. Attorneys across practice groups consistently made time to provide guidance and mentorship by participating in client projects, thought leadership opportunities, pitches for new business, and social events. Dechert has supported and encouraged my professional growth and provided me with impactful opportunities to become a part of its culture as well as promote diversity and inclusion. I work closely with our DE&I teams on various diversity initiatives, including training and mentoring, and am the diversity liaison partner for the corporate and securities practice in New York. My role as diversity liaison partner has been extremely rewarding and given me the opportunity to reach out and get to know many diverse associates in our group. I was appointed co-head of the New York Hiring Committee to assist with recruiting initiatives and am currently a member of the firm’s Policy
Committee. I am also co-head of the Greater Middle Eastern Alliance and a member of the Latino affinity group. These experiences have provided me with invaluable opportunities to build interconnectivity within the firm by interacting with colleagues and contributing to creating a more diverse and inclusive environment at the firm. Diversity is not just a personal value; it is a key element to my practice and the success of the firm. As my clients and those of the firm become increasingly more diverse, it becomes exceedingly important to bring diverse teams of lawyers to work on their projects thus creating stronger and “stickier” bonds with differing perspectives and experiences. I am proud to be part of a firm that values diversity and inclusivity and am committed to continuing to contribute to these efforts. Mr. Zilkha is an elected member of the firm’s Policy Committee and serves on the firm’s Partnership Promotion Committee.
“Diversity is not just a personal value; it is a key element to my practice and the success of the firm.”
NAZ ZILKHA Partner – New York Corporate and Securities
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