Editor’s Note: This is the seventh 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.
Military families know that one of the hardest parts of our nomadic lifestyle is leaving all the things we love about a duty station – the friends we’ve made, the little hole-in-the-wall restaurant we’ve discovered, the reliable-yet-affordable babysitter you thought only existed in urban legend, the job that was a perfect fit. Thankfully, a growing number of employers are realizing that technology and flexibility can be leveraged to retain military spouse attorneys in a win-win situation. MSJDN Member Celeste Boyd nominated The Paynter Law Firm, PLLC, for the Members’ Choice Award because of the firm’s demonstrated commitment to employing military spouse attorneys despite the logistical challenges.
The Paynter Law Firm is small firm with only three full-time attorneys – two of whom are military spouses. Both of those military spouse attorneys are currently working remotely. In her nomination, Celeste explained that Stuart Paynter, the firm’s founder “has supported both of us through deployments, has worked with me through a PCS to the United Kingdom, and is poised to support us through my PCS-ing back to the USA from the UK, at the same time that our other military spouse attorney is PCS-ing to Italy!” While many firms would be wary of the disruption caused by these frequent transitions, Paynter “has been extremely accommodating and understanding.”
Celeste explains, “he values our work for its own merit and the contributions that we make to the firm, and doesn’t put a premium on ‘face time’ for the sake of face time.” The Paynter Law Firm appreciates the talents of its military spouse attorneys and takes the obstacles presented by military life in stride, blazing a trail for other organizations to find creative solutions to maintain relationships with military spouse professionals.