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.
Subscribe to all posts by Wendy Dessy
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
Wendy Dessy, Proskauer’s Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, sat down with Kevin Froner, principal of Manhattan Hunter Science, a high school affiliated with CUNY-Hunter College in New York City. Over the last five years Manhattan Hunter Science has emerged as one of the top public schools in America and was recently ranked 17th in the … Continue Reading
Wendy Dessy, Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility: What role does public service play in Proskauer’s summer program? Caroline: Proskauer has a longstanding tradition of public service, and I’m proud to call it a big part of our summer program. After Hurricane Katrina, we sent summer associates from every office to New Orleans to help with … Continue Reading
As part of our corporate social responsibility program at Proskauer, we focus on strategies to help improve the lives of vulnerable populations. Since the Firm began its partnership with the Bowery Mission in December 2014, we have served over 4,000 meals and more than 150 volunteers have participated. The Bowery Mission has served homeless and hungry … Continue Reading
This past month, Proskauer launched a series of Lawyering for Social Justice Workshops at John Jay College in Manhattan. Attended mostly by pre-law students, the workshops explore specific examples of how lawyers in private practice can make a critical difference in society. We discussed challenges within our criminal justice system, and highlighted the pressing need for … Continue Reading
At Proskauer, we have a strong connection to the communities in which we live and work, and a deep commitment to their success. We are especially proud of our relationship with Stella and Charles Guttman Community College, located only a few blocks from our New York office. When the college established its private 501(c)(3) foundation, … Continue Reading
In the following short video, Anthony Smith, the grandson of Judge Joseph M. Proskauer, discusses his grandfather’s strong commitment to public service. We are proud that this tradition of giving back and making a difference continues today through our corporate social responsibility and pro bono work across the Firm.… Continue Reading
The Veterans Assistance Project at the City Bar Justice Center (the pro bono arm of the New York City Bar Association) connects lawyers with veterans living on or below the poverty line. It helps veterans with their disability claims and appeals to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Proskauer organized a small group of volunteers in … Continue Reading
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
A Q&A with Kevin Froner, Principal of Manhattan Hunter Science High School
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Education
Public Service and Summer Associates: A Q&A with Caroline Menes, Legal Recruiting Officer
By Wendy Dessy and Caroline Menes on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono
Serving Our Community With the Bowery Mission
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility
John Jay College and the Power of Public Service
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Q&A With Guttman Community College’s Chief of Staff Linda Merians and Kednel-Gregory Jean
By Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Education
Judge Proskauer, a Legacy of Public Service
By William C. Silverman and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Corporate Social Responsibility, Pro Bono
Working Towards a Better Future for Veterans With Bloomberg
By Kevin Hackett and Wendy Dessy on Posted in Pro Bono, Veterans
