Professional Development Program (PDP)

The Professional Development Program (PDP) is composed of a series of workshops that introduces 9th graders to the soft skills and social graces necessary to successfully navigate corporate environments.  Legal Outreach seeks to partner with firms and companies willing to sponsor one or more of the programs listed below, which typically take place within a two hour time frame on a given day:

  • Dining Etiquette Workshop:  A workshop that introduces students to the conventions of formal dining.  Students will learn protocols for seating, ordering, using utensils, and eating during business lunches/dinners.  Students will also practice the art of conversation while dining. 
  • Networking Workshop:  A “Connections and Conversations” workshop where students practice the art of conversation with volunteers from a company or firm and receive tips on the importance of developing relationships through networking.
  • Dressing for Success:  A workshopwhere students discover how to gain a competitive edge by dressing appropriately in a professional environment.  Speakers will inform students of appropriate attire for the work place and help them distinguish between formal, business, business-casual, and casual attire.  

Current PDP sponsors include: Goldman Sachs and O’Melveny and Myers. .

Sponsorship fees support Legal Outreach’s ability to operate a program that diversifies the pipeline to the corporate world and strengthens the talent of aspiring professionals, increasing students’ opportunities for success in a professional environment.  Equally as important, a portion of the sponsorship fees support student stipends, awards and trophies, and scholarships for outstanding performers.  Every senior who completes the requirements of his/her senior year will receive a scholarship of up to $1,000.00.

Benefits to Sponsoring Companies

  • Opportunity for company to engage its employees in meaningful pro bono, community service and “pipeline to diversity” activities
  • Recognition as Program Sponsor on Legal Outreach’s website and quarterly newsletter, disseminated to over 3,000 firms, companies, and individuals
  • Acknowledgement as Pipeline Diversity Sponsor through all Legal Outreach print and social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
  • Two tickets to Legal Outreach’s 2020 Pipeline-to-Diversity Benefit in June

Companies who desire to become involved but cannot serve as sponsors can choose to participate as Partners.


To learn more about the PDP and how to become a sponsor/partner contact Tamika Edwards at

718-752-0222, ext. 202 or [email protected]