Professional Development Program

LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR PRO BONO PRACTICE

WolfBlock recognizes that participation in community affairs and in pro bono work is essential to the professional development of our lawyers, the fulfillment of our duty to the community, and the goal of being recognized as preeminent in the profession. While many of our associates engage in pro bono work that is assigned to them as a result of our participation in formalized programs, such as the Volunteers for the Indigent Program or court appointments, many also, on their own initiative, participate in community matters in which they take a personal interest. We believe that a lawyer who does pro bono and public service work of his or her own choosing is more likely to derive a greater amount of personal satisfaction and is more likely to take on leadership roles in community affairs. We encourage our lawyers to pursue and accept leadership or academic positions in professional organizations, law schools, government and the community. Our Professional Development program includes an effort to match associates' interests in public service with the needs of organizations with which our lawyers have contact.

We are especially proud of the election of Jerome Shestack to President of the American Bar Association. His term ended August 1998 after a year of great work and commitment. Mr. Shestack's record of public service, which includes a period as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission and service on the Board of Directors of the Helsinki Watch Committee and as Chair of the International League for Human Rights, gives substance to the honor of being able to call ourselves "Philadelphia lawyers." Working with Jerry on projects of such global scope has provided many of our junior lawyers and summer associates with the opportunity to be involved in exciting civic, professional and other affairs.

The firm has created the Jerome J. Shestack Fellowship, which allows an associate to receive regular WolfBlock salary while spending half of his or her time working on matters for the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia.

In addition to our public affairs work, the firm encourages its lawyers to be active in bar associations and professional organizations, and many attorneys have taken on leadership roles in these activities.

SEE MORE ABOUT OUR PRO BONO PRACTICE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FAMILIES/OUTSIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

Many applicants are interested in WolfBlock's approach to a variety of issues that arise as our lawyers pursue careers and the development of their own families. Our leave policy demonstrates that we are flexible in granting full-time and part-time leave for both fathers and mothers after the arrival of a child. A number of our attorneys are on flexible schedules of indefinite duration, including part-time schedules, because of parenting or family responsibilities. Our lawyers take time to engage in parent/school activities, family or other personal responsibilities, hobbies and community-related interests.

Our firm was the first firm in Philadelphia to provide insurance benefits to the domestic partners of our employees. In addition, the firm has made an arrangement at a nearby day care center that provides, at a reduced rate, emergency day care services for the children of WolfBlock attorneys and staff. To make the balancing act easier, WolfBlock has a concierge service available on site for use by all attorneys and staff.