WASHINGTON — Within the corridors of Skadden’s bustling office, a unique podcast series called GILTI Conscience brings the heat to rather cold topics like tax law, integrating rich discussions with industry insiders and thought leaders on topics like international tax reform and the intricacies of transfer pricing. This particular episode, however, veers off into the celebratory as it coincides with Pride Month, blending professional insights with personal revelations.
Co-hosted by Skadden partners David Farhat and Nate Carden, the latest episode welcomes two distinguished guests from Skadden’s own legal team. Brian Breheny, co-head of SEC Reporting and Compliance and a former SEC official, alongside Jordan Schwartz, a council in the firm’s Mass Torts group and a recognized LGBTQ+ advocate. Both share not only their journeys through the legal world but also their experiences navigating their identities in the professional sphere.
Breheny traces his roots back to his initial years auditing with KPMG and his subsequent pivotal role at the SEC, emphasizing the blend of regulatory understanding and corporate practice he brings to Skadden. Meanwhile, Schwartz, a New York native who unexpectedly found his career swerving from political to tort law amid the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis, paints a vivid picture of how personal challenges deeply intersect with professional life, sharing a moving personal narrative involving family acceptance battles tied to his coming out.
In a discussion rich with both professional and personal insights, the narrative pivots to the core issue of inclusivity within the workplace. Farhat and Victor probe how personal identities shape legal perspectives and client representation, aiming to highlight the nuanced ways in which the personal informs the professional. Schwartz and Breheny discuss the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where diverse experiences are seen as a strength rather than a barrier.
Navigating through their career paths, both guests underscore the shifts from being unrecognized to becoming influential within their respective fields, crediting their ascent to an acute awareness of how they are perceived by their peers and a conscientious approach to relationship-building.
The podcast also delves into the affirmative impacts of diversity initiatives within Skadden, as Schwartz and Breheny recount their engagements in mentoring and recruitment activities aimed specifically at nurturing a welcoming environment for LGBTQ individuals and other minorities.
Breheny shares an anecdote about his early fears regarding acceptance and the consequent liberation and career fulfillment upon embracing his identity openly. His journey mirrors a broader narrative resonant in the legal sector — one where revealing one’s true self does not undermine professional capability but enriches it.
Schwartz, echoing Breheny’s sentiment, adds how his engagement with Skadden’s Diversity and Equity initiatives not only shaped his career but also provided a support network that was crucial during personal tribulations, emphasizing the synergy between personal support structures and professional success.
As the episode wraps, the message is clear: embracing diversity not only cultivates a richer work culture but also drives more innovative and empathetic approaches to the practice of law. This installment of GILTI Conscience makes an emphatic case for the benefits of diversity and inclusion, setting the stage for ongoing discussions in episodes to come. The discussions held within the warm, candid atmosphere of GILTI Conscience underscore the evolving landscape of corporate law — one where the personal and professional don’t just meet but merge to create something greater.