Editor’s Note: This is the sixth installment in MSJDN’s series highlighting the employers MSJDN members say are going above and beyond for military spouse attorneys. Each employer in this series was nominated for MSJDN’s Member’s Choice Award by members who told us in their own words just how awesome their employers are. MSJDN is thrilled to tell these employer stories, as a way of expressing our gratitude for supporting military spouses as they build careers in the legal profession.
The MSJDN Member’s Choice winner will be announced at MSJDN’s Annual Reception in Washington D.C. on May 7.
When member Erin Hennessey was recruited by Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (“Bracewell”) to head the firm’s trademark practice, she was upfront about her life as a military spouse. She explained to the managing partner of the firm’s Seattle office that as an Army spouse, she might have to relocate at any time. In response, Erin recalls that the managing partner was “extremely supportive and encouraged me to continue through the recruiting process at Bracewell. Indeed, he explained that the firm has offices in many cities and is also supportive of the military.” Erin joined Bracewell as a partner and has since found that the firm does, in fact, go above and beyond to support the military and military spouses. That is why she nominated Bracewell for MSJDN’s Member’s Choice Award, an award given to an employer that goes above and beyond for military spouse attorneys.
Six months after she joined the firm, Erin’s husband received orders to Washington, D.C. Erin found out quickly that, in her words, Bracewell “walks the walk” when it comes to supporting military and helping military spouses to navigate their careers while their spouses continue to serve. Erin was able to transfer to Bracewell’s Washington, D.C. office, where the managing partner warmly welcomed her and helped to integrate her into the office and the community. Additionally, Bracewell continues to encourage Erin to visit her team members and clients in the Seattle office on a monthly basis, which has helped Erin grow her practice. She explains that: “Bracewell’s support has helped me to excel in the legal profession while balancing the demanding requirements of military life.”
In addition to supporting military spouses – including its three current military spouse attorney employees – Bracewell actively provides pro bono legal assistance to veterans through organizations such as the Veterans Resource Center in Dallas, Texas, and Houston Bar Association Clinics, and to military families through its work with Wear Blue: Run to Remember, an organization founded by a gold-star military spouse.