Our very own, Rick Petry, is being presented with a 2024 Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) EDGE Award as the education honoree. Petry is one of four in the nation being recognized on April 11, in Washington DC at the law offices of Greenberg Trauig, for their significant accomplishments or commitments to education, diversity, and greater equality in the legal profession.
“The four recipients of the year’s CLEO EDGE Awards each truly exemplify what diversity, equity, and inclusion are all about,” said Juan Carlos “J.C.” Polanco, chief executive officer of CLEO. “These invaluable characteristics are important to CLEO, the legal profession, and our nation as a whole. We believe these leaders appreciate and value diversity in all its forms!” The other three honorees include Neal Katyal (former acting solicitor general of the United States), the Honorable Phyllis Thompson, and Bryan Parker.
In addition to serving as one of the directors of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Mitchell Hamline, Petry is also an adjunct law professor and executive coach with expertise in human peak performance and neuro-health. Petry has over two decades of experience as a trial lawyer and legal educator. He also helped facilitate CLEO’s annual Pre-Law Summer Institute, which was hosted at Mitchell Hamline last summer.
“What I admire most about Rick is his unending commitment to serving students,” said Jim Hilbert, interim president and dean at Mitchell Hamline. “And he walks his walk and talks his talk every day at Mitchell Hamline. He’s so deserving of this award, and we couldn’t be more proud.”
Guided by a deep-seated philosophy that leadership is a privilege accompanied by the duty of care, Petry approaches his role with a commitment to quality and compassion. “My aim is to instill lasting positive change,” said Petry, “guiding individuals to not only thrive in their careers but also to lead richer, more balanced, and fulfilled lives. It’s a privilege to receive this award. Thank you.”
Founded in 1968 when the number of lawyers of color was less than one percent, the CLEO has worked to increase the number of lawyers from diverse backgrounds for the last half century. Although best known for its Pre-Law Summer Institute “boot camp,” CLEO provides services to high school, pre-law, and law school students which include mentoring, placement assistance, academic counseling and support, scholarships, and bar prep orientation. Since inception, more than 32,000 individuals have participated in a CLEO program and/or utilized an offered service.
More on CLEO and the EDGE Awards: http://cleoinc.org/edgeards.