Richard F. Klawiter Of DLA Piper: Developing Communities Through Sustainable Talent Pipelines

Richard Klawiter

Partner (Retired) 

DLA Piper

Rich F. Klawiter is the former Vice Chair of Real Estate at DLA Piper.  After working at the firm for 31 years, Rich is now continuing his commitment to social good as a fellow at the University of Chicago's Leadership and Society Initiative. Continue reading to learn how one cold call from a colleague led to a multi-year workforce success story between DLA Piper and Chicago CRED.

What was your role at DLA Piper?

I was a partner and vice chair and held a management role in the administration of the National Real Estate Group. After retiring, I decided to pursue other interests, and I am now a fellow at the University of Chicago's Leadership and Society Initiative, or LSI, where I am taking another step in contributing to community development by raising effective leaders in Chicago. 

I intended to develop the skillset I needed for affordable housing work and then move on with my career, but I found the work and the organization so fulfilling that I remained with them until my retirement.

What brought you to your role at DLA Piper?

After law school, I spent the first four years of my legal career as a legal aid lawyer at what is now known as Legal Aid Chicago. I then realized I needed to further develop my skills and build relationships that would enable me to return to public interest work or enter the affordable housing sector. DLA Piper was the best choice for me to develop in that regard, so I joined the firm to gain experience in real estate practice. I intended to develop the skillset I needed for affordable housing work and then move on with my career, but I found the work and the organization so fulfilling that I remained with them until my retirement.

What makes DLA Piper's culture unique?

In my experience, there are two things we do better than anyone else: real estate and pro bono work. I have been involved in both departments for almost 31 years and can vouch for our excellence in both areas.

We have a market-leading national and international real estate group with a pulse on the market and highly experienced, business-friendly lawyers. We also have dedicated teams of lawyers who handle pro bono cases exclusively. These lawyers go beyond their case loads by identifying opportunities for lawyers within the community to be involved in pro bono cases through innovative and impactful ways. 

The firm's culture is based on supporting the communities in which we work. Beyond the goal of being market leaders in the various industries where we have pitched our tents, we love to collaborate with the end goal of being active and involved in community building. In my experience, we have been able to foster this collaborative culture very well. 

We genuinely want to hire people who can make an impact beyond their current responsibilities.

What is DLA Piper hoping to achieve in the next few years?

We are interested in growing as a law firm, building stable offerings, and hiring the best talent out there. In this, we are no different than most global law firms, but our approach differs, especially in regards to hiring.

We genuinely want to hire people who can make an impact beyond their current responsibilities. People who can commit to community building and a global vision. We are looking for a top-down personnel base that will have a beneficial impact on our international clients as well as our local communal clientele.

What internships or entry-level positions are available at DLA Piper?

While our organization offers an array of opportunities for young legal professionals, including fellowships and internships, we also want to create other entryways into our organization for those with nontraditional backgrounds. That is where our exclusive vendors come in; many of the positions in hospitality and records maintenance are open and accessible to those just starting out in their careers. Through our partnership with Chicago CRED, we've had incredible success stories come out of placements in these roles.

Can you tell me about your partnership with Chicago CRED? How are you engaging with them to fill roles at your organization?

Our partnership with Chicago CRED grew out of a personal relationship and shared organizational values. A colleague of mine reached out to discuss the organization’s anti-violence intervention program and the critical role employment plays for participants after they complete it. We recognize that without genuine job opportunities, individuals are at higher risk of returning to their harmful environments. In light of this, we’ve made it our goal to provide the needed opportunities. 

Chicago CRED connects us with individuals who have completed their workforce development program; we evaluate them like any hire, and if they are a good fit, we hire them. Most of our hires start in hospitality and operations; while these are typically entry-level roles, we ensure that there is room for growth by giving participants the opportunity to move from working at a vendor to working directly for DLA Piper. This was the case with one of our success stories. 

Meet Jeremy Jordan

Jeremy was our first hire from Chicago CRED. I met with him and introduced him to HR, who had a hospitality opening available. He was hired to work with one of our exclusive vendors, and he has been with us for about 7 years. Jeremy started by setting up

conference rooms and delivering lunches. Seven years later, he's managing complex real estate cases alongside our attorneys. That trajectory speaks volumes. We’ve been able to make a couple more hires that way and encourage other firms to take this route.

Ultimately, people are people. We believe in second chances, and that regardless of mistakes in the past, there is good, and a potential for good in everybody.

Before partnering with a workforce provider, did you have any hesitations about engaging with the workforce development ecosystem? What helped change your mind?

Everyone has biases. Law firms naturally prioritize safety, confidentiality, and quality work, so there's an initial question: how will someone from a non-traditional background fit into our corporate culture? 

What it comes down to when hiring, though, is understanding that people are people behind all the skills. As a firm, we understand that we do not operate in a vacuum and that we are embedded in local communities; as such, we have a responsibility to engage with reputable organizations in the region working on vital community projects. Chicago CRED is one such organization, and it has supported its participants by putting them through intensive programs focused on rehabilitation, accountability, and readiness for employment. When a candidate is referred to us, their commitment and dedication are clear.

Ultimately, people are people. We believe in second chances, and that regardless of mistakes in the past, there is good, and a potential for good in everybody. Our experience has shown that the risks are no greater than with any other hire. Our experience with Chicago CRED has been overwhelmingly positive.

How have partnerships with workforce development organizations benefited DLA Piper?

There are two ways in which these arrangements have benefited us. First, we’ve recruited exceptional employees through Chicago CRED. The candidates they provide have proven to be highly capable and reliable, being able to execute their tasks exceptionally–this includes setting up conference rooms, performing clerical duties, filing documents at City Hall, or interacting with professionals across various offices.

Chicago CRED does a thorough job early on, interfacing with candidates, vetting them well, and providing training for the roles they want. This translates to a readiness to work right from day one. Program participants demonstrate real potential for growth and chart meaningful career trajectories within our firm. Any business would benefit from a reliable pipeline of great employees, and our experience with Chicago CRED has delivered exactly that.

Second, and on a softer note, we’ve enjoyed working with people from different backgrounds and with diverse experiences. When you bring diverse perspectives into your organization, you create an environment where innovation thrives. People who have taken various paths in life frequently tackle problems in novel ways, which improves our capacity to serve clients and manage challenges creatively. Aside from the practical benefits, diversity improves the workplace atmosphere for our entire team. We hope other organizations will follow suit and commit to important initiatives in their communities.

It is not charity; we are getting extremely talented hires. 

How has Chicago CRED contributed to your firm’s long-term sustainability?

We are best served when we recognize our responsibilities to our firm and the communities where we work and make a living. At DLA Piper, we know the privilege and resources we have access to, and we also understand that we have an obligation to create opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations. From this perspective, it was just a matter of time before we partnered with an organization like Chicago CRED.

Our partnership benefits all parties involved. It is not charity; we are getting extremely talented hires. Chicago CRED carries out the front-end preparation of these candidates, and when we hire them, they are equipped to contribute to the firm. It would be a disservice to our organization not to take advantage of this arrangement.

Long-term sustainability comes from building strong connections to the community and developing a diverse talent pipeline. Chicago CRED helps us do both; their commitment to community development is evident in their willingness to provide professional training and opportunities to those who otherwise would not have had them. Our partnership with them goes beyond filling positions–it strengthens local communities by producing more engaged individuals and developing the region’s economic vitality. That kind of mutual investment is what creates lasting, sustainable relationships.

How would you encourage employers who are interested in engaging with the workforce system?

We recently held a learning session between partners from several law firms and Chicago CRED representatives. Jeremy and I talked about the program and invited these law firms to source some of their employees from the organization. 

The reason I recall this anecdote is, when employers see the evolution of people who have gone through programs such as this one, and meet candidates like Jeremy, it becomes proof of the talent within workforce organizations. Jeremy’s story, along with others, make it clear that it is a smart business decision for employers to give these individuals opportunities.

What tips can you provide for employers looking to start engaging with a workforce organization?

There are a couple of things to note when looking to engage with a workforce organization. First you have to identify the values that guide your organization. Then, you have to recognize how your organization’s objectives impact the community where you operate. Once you are able to clarify these markers, identify workforce organizations in your community, ensure they are interested in partnership opportunities that would provide a strong employee pipeline while also developing the community. You must also think about how you can support them–these partnerships are a two way street.

To combat violence and improve the overall wellbeing of members of the community, partnership with workforce development organizations like Chicago CRED is essential. 

Why is this work important to you personally?

Since my days in legal aid, antiviolence in Chicago has been extremely important to me, and I know that tackling the problem is a communal effort. To combat violence and improve the overall wellbeing of members of the community, partnership with workforce development organizations like Chicago CRED is essential. They help get people off the street, provide them with in-demand skills, and place them in organizations that can help them develop and contribute to the community. As such, I value the role Chicago CRED plays in impacting the cycle of violence in the region; their effort strengthens my commitment to the work.