Two dozen attorneys at Katten Muchin Rosenman offered resume tips, job interview advice and college application insights to Chicago high school seniors at Rowe-Clark Math & Science Academy in East Garfield Park neighborhood.

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” Litigation partner David A. Crichlow told the students, paraphrasing a saying often attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

The attorneys spent a few hours with the students last week demonstrating interview skills, role-playing interview scenarios and providing feedback to interview responses and techniques. “Through these exercises — and the exposure to a talented group of volunteer lawyers — we hope to better equip the seniors for career success. With the right guidance and support, these kids can accomplish amazing things,” Crichlow said.

The “Service Day” event, which also aimed to inspire high school students to consider pursuing a legal career, was an avenue for lawyers to give back to local schools and students during the firm’s bi-annual Diverse Attorney Leadership Summit held in Chicago.

The Summit is designed to empower attorneys with strategies, tools and resources to build successful careers as well as support the advancement of diversity and inclusion at Katten and the larger legal community.

“Katten’s leadership team makes it clear that it wants all of our attorneys to see a path forward here and to encourage young people to envision a future career in the legal industry,” said Leslie D. Minier, Katten’s Chief Diversity Partner and organizer of the Summit.