Editor’s Note: MSJDN asked its members to help us spotlight employers that are going above and beyond for military spouse attorneys. Each employer in this series was nominated for MSJDN’s Members’ Choice Award for doing just that, by members who told us in their own words about the awesomeness of their employers. 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 Members’ Choice Award recipient will be announced at MSJDN’s Annual Reception in Washington, D.C. on May 17.
Aiken Schenk is a Phoenix-based law firm offering a broad range of legal services, including employment law, healthcare law, commercial litigation and business disputes, personal injury, and bankruptcy law, among others. The firm was formed 28 years ago and now has 14 attorneys. Aiken Schenk is nationally recognized and prides itself on its active engagement in the Arizona legal community.
MSJDN member Natalie Virden nominated the firm for the 2018 MSJDN Members’ Choice Award because the firm has gone above and beyond to support her decision to move to be near her service member.
Ms. Virden practices labor and employment law at Aiken Schenk. She had been working at the firm for approximately 18 months when she decided to move to be with her service member. The firm took a chance and Ms. Virden (and on technology!) and kept her on board full-time.
Ms. Virden commented that keeping her on board could be seen as a huge risk for the firm because it is relatively small. Additionally, Phoenix is not a military hub, and there were no military connections between service members or military spouses and the firm as far as Ms. Virden knew. However, the firm agreed to her move, set her up with a home office, and supported her every step of the way. Ms. Virden never imagined that the firm would be willing to do all they have done to support her, and is thrilled to be able to continue her career at Aiken Schenk.
It is firms like Aiken Schenk that give military spouse lawyers hope that they can have it all – work full time at their job of choice and be a military spouse. MSJDN is pleased to recognize the well-deserved nomination of Aiken Schenk for the 2018 Members’ Choice Award!
Celebrate the recipient of the MSJDN Members’ Choice Award at the 2018 Annual Reception in Washington, D.C. on May 17th. Tickets and information available here.