Kirkland & Ellis LLP Partners with National Association for Urban Debate Leagues to Host Dinner

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is among several law firms partnering with the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL) to a dinner in Chicago, in conjunction with the inaugural Chase Urban Debate National Championship.

The Chase Urban Debate National Championship will bring together the two best teams from the ranks of 18 urban debate leagues from across the country.  The Championship will be held April 3—April 6, 2008, at Northwestern University's downtown Chicago campus.  NAUDL will also host a dinner at the University Club of Chicago on April 5.

Approximately 72 outstanding debaters, accompanied by accomplished coaches and dedicated urban debate and public school administrators will participate in a weekend of spirited competition and community and cultural experiences.  Participants will visit the National Museum of Mexican Art and Chicago's new interactive McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum.  The NAUDL will also host a series of conferences, college and career information sessions, and professional development meetings.

U.S. Attorney and Department of Justice Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald will deliver the keynote address at the dinner.  Emory University's Director of Debate, Melissa Wade, will be awarded the first National Urban Debate Champion Award.  Additionally, the first-ever Urban Debate Alumnus of the Year Award will be presented. 

NAUDL's mission is to facilitate participation in organized debate for as many urban high school students as possible.  Research shows students who participate in urban debate leagues achieve marked increases in literacy, grade point averages, college matriculation rates, scholarship opportunities and leadership roles in their schools and communities. NAUDL builds, strengthens, and connects urban debate leagues, which provide world-class educational opportunities for urban students and lead to greater diversity within the legal profession.

Kirkland & Ellis is one of several high-profile firms sponsoring the dinner, and the Chase Urban Debate National Championship is being underwritten by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation. 

For more information about NAUDL and urban debate, please click here.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,400-attorney law firm representing global clients in litigation, intellectual property, complex corporate and tax and workout, insolvency and bankruptcy matters. The Firm has offices in Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.