National Black Lawyers Association Announces Derick Dailey is Among 40 Under 40 Lawyers in New York
The National Black Lawyers Association announced in April that Derick Dailey, ’11, is among the Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers in New York.
A resident of Highland Park, NJ, Dailey is a litigation attorney at Davis+Gilbert LLP in New York. He served as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Delaware before joining Davis+Gilbert.
Dailey earned his law degree at Fordham University School of Law in New York in 2017. In 2014, he received an MA in Religion and Ethics as a Dames Scholar at Yale University in New Haven, CT. Dailey majored in Political Science and Religious Studies while at Westminster. Since that time, he has presented at a variety of Westminster events about leadership and where a Westminster education can lead in the future.
Westminster Monthly recently caught up with the Little Rock, AR, native. Read below to learn how he feels about his recent attorney ranking; what he envisions for alumni concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion at Westminster; and what he does when he isn’t in front of a jury box or the bench.
How do you feel about the National Black Lawyers including you among the 40 Under 40 lawyers in New York?
I am honored and humbled. As the largest legal market in the United States, there is no shortage of high-quality lawyers in New York. With this award, I honor all those practitioners, both past and present, who work tirelessly to preserve the rule of law and seek justice.
What would you say is important about such an organization with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)?
It cannot be overstated the important role that lawyers play in the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all sectors of society. Every institution, especially institutions of higher learning, must do more than give lip service to DEI and should vigorously invest in DEI. I am delighted to see Westminster’s ongoing efforts to scale its DEI commitment and to return to its global identity.
In your opinion, would Westminster benefit from a similar professional alumni group?
Yes, Westminster would benefit a great deal from more diverse affinity groups. A Black alumni association is long overdue at Westminster. Importantly, Westminster must not simply look to alumni to initiate such efforts. There is no substitute for institutional support and investment for DEI.
What do you do in your free time?
When I am not practicing law, I am serving in my church and the community. I currently serve as a board member of the Yale Club of Philadelphia, a non-profit called Justice Revival, the New Jersey Reentry Training and Employment Center, and a civil rights organization called Salvation and Social Justice. I also play the piano and enjoy SEC football, traveling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my fiancé and nieces.
