Inspired by the opportunity to support children and local communities, Sidley partnered with nonprofit KABOOM! to construct a brand-new play area at the Miami Children’s Museum.
Sidley lawyers from across the firm’s U.S. offices teamed up to assemble a colorful, welcoming playspace on the Museum campus, including tunnel slides, a tic-tac-toe panel, and a climbing wall. The new playground is part of a nationwide effort by KABOOM! to ensure that every child has a safe place to experience the numerous physical, social, and mental health benefits of play regardless of background or where they live.
“It is extremely rewarding to help bring this playground to life for children in Miami and to further the mission of the Miami Children’s Museum,” said Kate Lashley, a partner in Sidley’s Miami office and a board member of the Museum.
“I am so proud to be a part of a firm that allows our lawyers to carve out time in their busy workdays to support children in the communities where we live and work,” said Sidley’s Corporate Responsibility Director Stacy Rotner.
This hands-on volunteer opportunity follows another successful playground build project with KABOOM! for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago in 2023 on the city’s west side.
Both playground projects are a prominent feature of the firm’s award-winning Built to Lead® associate development initiative, which is offered to associates beginning in their fourth year of legal practice and includes external executive education programming at top global business schools, as well as civic engagement initiatives.
“There’s no better feeling as a lawyer than knowing that you’re having a real impact on people, and seeing it in action like this is as good as it gets,” said Robert Uhl, a managing associate in Sidley’s Dallas office.
“Sidley has long been dedicated to harnessing our firm’s talents to support future generations of leaders, as well as the communities we serve. We are excited to partner again with KABOOM! through Sidley’s Built to Lead® Sixth-Year Civic Leadership Academy. We chose Miami, the location of our newest office, to spearhead this volunteer initiative and support the Miami community,” said Yvette Ostolaza, Sidley’s Management Committee chair and Miami native.
“Far too many children — especially children of color — do not get the chance to play on a playground, something that should be part of every child’s life,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!. “We are thrilled to work with our partners to right this inequity and ensure that generations of kids in Miami can grow up with access to playspaces where they feel they are valued and belong.”
To learn more about Sidley’s partnership with KABOOM! and the Miami Children’s Museum playground build, watch this video.
