Wendy Dessy
Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
Wendy Hattler Dessy is the associate director of corporate social responsibility for Proskauer. She oversees all aspects of employee engagement, board service and corporate social responsibility for the Firm.
Through a host of initiatives, the Firm endeavors to advance education, raise awareness of veterans’ issues, and improve opportunities for women in Africa through literacy and education.
Some of her most impactful programming has included creating an Adopt-a-School initiative, and establishing partnerships with both The Institute for Veterans and Military Families and Village Health Works. Wendy has also created local partnerships across the country in the cities and communities where Proskauer employees live and work.
Prior to joining Proskauer, Wendy served as Executive Director for NYC Cool Roofs and Manager of Public/Private Partnerships for the Mayor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism from 2010 to 2014. Wendy held various positions within the Bloomberg administration and campaigns from 2005 to 2010.
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Our story begins in or about 1875 when both Proskauer and Stillman College were founded. Fast forward almost 150 years when, this past summer, Stillman Professor Gordon Govens reached out to Proskauer. There have been graduates of Stillman, a small historically black college in Alabama, who have gone on to become lawyers but not until … Continue Reading
On October 20th, we were so pleased to welcome Match Charter Public High School back to our offices for the first time since the pandemic began, when we met with the 2022-23 class of juniors. Since 2016, our Boston office has partnered with Match Charter Public High School through our Adopt-a-School program, which is the … Continue Reading
Veteran affairs is a key focus area of our corporate social responsibility and pro bono work, and since 2018, Proskauer has been a proud sponsor of American Corporate Partners (ACP). Through ACP, our talented employees mentor veterans and military spouses with career guidance as they transition from the military to civilian life. On Wednesday, May … Continue Reading
As a board member of Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT), a non-profit organization that helps unrepresented litigants in New York City Family Court, I was proud to help organize a recent panel discussion addressing race and poverty in the New York State Family Court. Moderated by LIFT Executive Director Cathy Cramer, the panelists included … Continue Reading
Hunger and poverty have been key areas of focus in our corporate social responsibility efforts since I joined the Firm nearly eight years ago. We established partnerships with soup kitchens, pantries, veteran organizations and non-profits across the country and in London to help people in need. According to the U.N. World Food Program, the global … Continue Reading
Last week, the Proskauer community came together for the 14th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony, a firm-wide virtual celebration to honor those lawyers and staff members who went far above and beyond to contribute to the Firm’s pro bono, corporate social responsibility, and diversity & inclusion initiatives this year. Congratulations and thanks to the following … Continue Reading
Lawyers from Proskauer’s Boston office recently met with a group of students from Bottom Line, an organization that helps first-generation-to-college students from low-income backgrounds get to and through college. Bottom Line works with students from their senior year in high school through college to advise and ensure the students are set up to succeed in … Continue Reading
Earlier this month, Proskauer launched a new partnership with The American Red Cross creating a workplace giving platform for our personnel to donate to and support disaster and other critical relief services. This partnership and platform, along with the Firm’s current programs supporting schools and non-profit organizations around the globe through charitable donations, pro bono … Continue Reading
Last spring, Proskauer launched a partnership with the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) – an organization focused on empowering Asian American, immigrant, and low-income communities in New York City. Continuing our partnership, we launched an “Advancing Social Justice Summer Teen Series,” where a select group of students took part in a six-week series where conversations addressed … Continue Reading
With the ongoing pandemic exacerbating pervading health disparity and economic inequality issues in the United States, we brought together three experts to discuss their work and the impact of COVID-19 on these important topics. Our discussion was led by Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist and senior medical correspondent for WCBS-TV, Dr. Max Gomez. Our panelists included … Continue Reading
Education and social justice have long been core pillars of Proskauer’s commitment to public service. Despite the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our corporate social responsibility programs have enabled lawyers and business services professionals throughout the Firm to connect with student groups across the country for engaging, interactive workshops focusing on college and career … Continue Reading
Proskauer gathered for a firmwide virtual celebration, our 13th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony on February 3, to honor those lawyers and staff members who went far above and beyond to contribute to the Firm’s pro bono, corporate social responsibility, and diversity & inclusion initiatives this year. This past year has been one of immense … Continue Reading
Proskauer is a proud supporter of American Corporate Partners (ACP), a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice. Each year, Proskauer provides a group of highly committed volunteers who are paired with ACP protégés to offer ongoing guidance … Continue Reading
COVID-19 has presented us with unprecedented challenges around the globe. We wish everyone good health. Our Firm remains committed to the many students we work with on a regular basis through our CSR programs. Although the virus has made it impossible to continue our face-to-face mentoring, we are connecting through webinars, phone and online meetings. … Continue Reading
Proskauer honored its lawyers and staff who have made significant contributions to the Firm’s pro bono and corporate social responsibility programs this year at its 12th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony on January 22. The following is a list of recipients alphabetically by project. Protecting Immigrant Youth Watch now Team New Orleans: Catholic Charities-Archdiocese of … Continue Reading
Every November as Veterans Day approaches, Proskauer honors the service of our active military, veterans and their families. As part of our efforts, the Firm had the privilege of hosting a panel discussion on some of the most pressing issues that veterans and their families currently face. We were honored to be joined by Wanda … Continue Reading
Our London office has teamed up with The Soup Kitchen for several years, helping to offer a welcoming and safe place for over 100 people a day, six days per week. With the goal of going beyond supplying food, clothing and a sense of belonging, The Soup Kitchen strives to address issues of homelessness and … Continue Reading
We celebrate our students as we conclude our fourth year of the Adopt-a-School program, Proskauer’s signature education initiative for high school students. We leverage the expertise of our lawyers and staff to share their knowledge and experience on a variety of topics including resume writing, interview skills, financial literacy, marketing, and technology. The program currently … Continue Reading
According to the most recent FBI statistics, reported incidents of hate crimes increased by 17 percent in 2017, rising for the third consecutive year. The FBI determined that the primary motivators of these crimes were race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation.1 When compounded with the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, and recent changes in U.S. policy that … Continue Reading
Proskauer honored its lawyers and staff who have made significant contributions to the Firm’s pro bono and corporate social responsibility programs this year at its 11th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony on January 22. The following is a list of recipients alphabetically by project. Protecting Voting Rights These attorneys and paralegals ensured that a team … Continue Reading
Proskauer is proud to lead conversations that foster insight into the pressing issues facing our communities. Together with Partnership with Children (PwC), we hosted experts in various fields on January 15 to discuss How Poverty and Trauma Affect Healthy Brain Development. Our panelists included Margaret Crotty, Executive Director of PwC, Dennis M. Walcott, President and … Continue Reading
This November, Proskauer is celebrating its year-round commitment to veterans by announcing a new partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP), the nation’s leading veteran mentoring program for service members transitioning to corporate careers. Ten senior partners and executives at Proskauer were selected to provide career guidance and personalized, one-on-one mentorships for post-9/11 service members moving … Continue Reading
Public schools across the country too often rely on harsh disciplinary measures. These policies are marked by an in-school police presence, high rates of arrest and suspension, and ineffectiveness. Unduly punitive strategies harm students, exacerbate inequality along the lines of race and disability, and lead to increased dropout rates as well as entanglements with the … Continue Reading
Proskauer is a proud Corporate Member of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. As an annual supporter, the Firm regularly shares the experience of the Memorial and Museum with its employees, clients, summer associates and guests from around the world. In recognizing the 17th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11, we present our readers with … Continue Reading
Proskauer Hosts Prelaw Students from Stillman College
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Pro Bono
Looking Forward with Boston Scholars
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Supporting Our Nation’s Veterans Through Career Guidance
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Veterans
Addressing Race and Poverty in the NYS Family Court
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Court Reform, Racial Justice, Social Justice
Proskauer Combats Food Insecurity
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Hunger and Poverty
Proskauer Honors Public Service at the 14th Annual Golden Gavel Awards
By William C. Silverman, Wendy Dessy and Peter Wilson Jr. on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Diversity and Inclusion, Pro Bono
Focus on the Bottom Line
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Social Justice
Proskauer and The American Red Cross: Supporting National and International Relief Through Workplace Giving
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility
Proskauer Leads Impactful Summer Series For Teens
By Wendy Dessy, Mollie Wichtel and Sophia Lam on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Pro Bono, Social Justice
Addressing Disparities in Health and Health Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
By Wendy Dessy, Mollie Wichtel and Sophia Lam on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Disability Rights, Healthcare, Hunger and Poverty, Pro Bono
Proskauer Launches a New Partnership with the Chinese-American Planning Council
By Wendy Dessy and Maxwell DeLott on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Proskauer Honors Public Service at the 13th Annual Golden Gavel Awards
By William C. Silverman, Wendy Dessy and Peter Wilson Jr. on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono
Proskauer Provides Career Readiness Guidance to Veterans and Active Duty Military Spouses
By Wendy Dessy and Maxwell DeLott on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Veterans
Mentoring During Coronavirus
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Proskauer Honors Public Service at the Annual Golden Gavel Awards
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono
A Discussion on Veteran Healthcare and Post-Service Employment
By Wendy Dessy and Maxwell DeLott on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Veterans
Biking for a Cause to Buckingham Palace
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Hunger and Poverty
Adopt-a-School Concludes Its Fourth Year
By Wendy Dessy and Maxwell DeLott on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Bloomberg LP and Proskauer Serve LGBTQ Immigrant Survivors of Hate Violence
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in LGBT Civil Rights, Pro Bono
Proskauer Honors Public Service
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono, Voting Rights
How Poverty and Trauma Can Affect Healthy Brain Development
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, Healthcare
Bridging Military Skills into Corporate Careers: Veterans Transition to the Private Sector with Mentoring from Proskauer
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Veterans
Shutting Down the School-to-Prison Pipeline
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Education, Pro Bono
Remembering the Victims of 9/11: A Q&A with Timothy McGuirk, Communications Manager at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility
