Timothy A. Wilkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timothy A. Wilkins
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| Born |
Chicago, Illinois, US
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| Education | JD Harvard Law School BA Harvard College |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Employer | Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer |
| Organization | WNYC
New York City Economic Development Corporation New York Public Theater |
| Relatives | David B. Wilkins
J. Ernest Wilkins, Sr. J. Ernest Wilkins, Jr. |
Timothy Wilkins is an American lawyer. He is currently the chairman of the board of directors for New York Public Radio. He is also a partner at the big international law firm called Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Timothy Wilkins was the first Black partner in the firm's offices in the United States.
Contents
About Timothy Wilkins
His Early Life and School
Timothy Wilkins was born in 1964 and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He went to the University of Chicago Laboratory School and finished in 1982.
After high school, he went to Harvard College. He graduated with high honors in 1986. At Harvard, he studied sociology and was the president of the Harvard Black Student Association. Later, in 1993, he earned two advanced degrees at the same time: a law degree from Harvard Law School and a business degree from Harvard Business School.
His Career as a Lawyer
Timothy Wilkins started his law career at a firm called Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.
In 1999, he joined Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. He worked in their Tokyo office for eight years, helping with big business deals between different countries.
In 2016, a group called Chambers USA named him the "Minority Lawyer of the Year" in private practice. This means he was recognized as a top lawyer from a minority background. He was also listed as a leading ethnic minority executive by the Financial Times and Empower. These groups recognized him for his work on fairness and equality.
Helping the Planet and People
In 2019, Timothy Wilkins was chosen to lead a special team at Freshfields. This team focuses on helping the environment and solving social issues. Their first big project was to find ways to make New York City more sustainable. This included looking at how to manage waste, use resources wisely, fight climate change, and create new jobs.
He also helped start the New York Circular City Initiative. This program aims to create a "circular economy" in New York City. A circular economy means that things are reused and recycled as much as possible. This helps the environment and creates more jobs, especially in neighborhoods that need them most.
His Personal Life and Community Work
Timothy Wilkins comes from a family of important lawyers. His brother, David B. Wilkins, is a professor at Harvard Law. His father, Julian Wilkins, was the first Black partner at a major law firm in Chicago. His grandfather was J. Ernest Wilkins Sr. and his uncle was J. Ernest Wilkins Jr..
He works hard to help make the law field more diverse. He helped start The Opportunity Agenda, a group that works to make sure everyone has a fair chance. In 2020, he was named one of the top ethnic minority executive role models by EMpower.
Timothy Wilkins has served on many important committees and boards. He was part of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the New York City Bar Association. He also served on boards for groups like the New York Public Theater and Equality Now. These groups help with arts, justice, and fairness.
In 2015, the mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio, appointed him to the board of New York City Global Partners. This group helps New York City work with other cities around the world. The mayor also asked him to serve on the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which helps New York City's economy grow.
Making a Difference
In 2018, New York Public Radio (which owns radio stations like WNYC and is part of National Public Radio) asked Timothy Wilkins to join their board. In 2021, he was named the chairman of the board for New York Public Radio. He now helps lead this important organization.
