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.
By Tricia Petek
Hadley Law, PLC is a small boutique firm with an all-female staff located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Military Spouse JD Network member Sarah Buitrago nominated the firm for the 2018 MSJDN Members’ Choice Award based upon her experience working at Hadley for the past year. Sarah describes an encouraging and flexible work environment that employs both military spouses and military veterans, while also assisting the military population of Virginia Beach with legal matters.
Although Managing Attorney Cherish L. Hadley-Njewel is not affiliated with the military, the firm has established a strong record of serving the military community. In addition to Sarah, the firm employs a military veteran and a military spouse. Another MSJDN member was recently hired for an intern position, and found out about the position through MSJDN, where the firm advertises its open positions before advertising to the general public.
During her interview Sarah shared her military spouse status and the gap in her resume after graduating from law school. These factors did not deter the firm from hiring Sarah; in fact, Ms. Hadley-Njewel welcomed Sarah to shadow her as she became familiar with her new position. Sarah has also been encouraged to learn new areas of the law, such as Veterans’ Benefits, which will enable to expand her practice to continue helping members of the military community.
Hadley Law has also been an extremely flexible working environment for military families that often face unpredictable schedules and long periods of separation from loved ones. Sarah has found that the law firm is supportive of employees taking time from work to spend with family and of working hours that are compatible for military families. These characteristics of the firm help explain why Sarah has found such a welcoming work environment and why she enthusiastically nominated her employer for the 2018 MSJDN Members’ Choice Award. Hadley Law, PLC is an excellent example of how businesses can hire, empower, and elevate the careers of military spouses.
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.