Nearly 60 firm attorneys, guests from public interest legal organizations, participated in a Night at the Lanes
PHILADELPHIA – Oct. 6, 2022 – The Greenberg Traurig Women’s Initiative (GTWI) affinity group hosted a team-building event, Night at the Lanes, at Lucky Strike in Philadelphia. Participants included attorneys from the firm’s Philadelphia and Delaware offices, as well as from local public interest law organizations, including the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Philadelphia VIP, and the Women’s Law Project.
Night at the Lanes was developed by Real Estate Practice Associate Jennifer N. McCracken, as she and other members of GTWI in Philadelphia sought to further strengthen relationships and opportunities to collaborate by better getting to know each other and their practices in a fun environment. Environmental Practice Shareholder Kaitlyn R. Maxwell and White Collar Defense & Special Investigations Practice Shareholder Jessica Natali, co-liaisons of GTWI Philadelphia, led the effort to bring the two offices together for the fun, interactive program. The event took place Sept. 15 where some 60 attorneys from a cross-section of practice groups competed against one another, each with a surprise team name, team shirts, and more.
“I’m really grateful GTWI was able to host an event of this nature when so many of us have not seen each other in-person at the same time in such a long time,” Natali said. “Coupled with connecting with the new faces in the firm, the camaraderie, and friendly competition was a welcomed change of pace for us all. This helped spark some great ideas for our practices and our clients as well as our ongoing pro bono efforts in and around the Philadelphia region. This event was so successful that we plan to make it an annual event, passing along the trophy every year for the team with the overall highest score.”
GTWI is a firmwide women’s affinity group within Greenberg Traurig, LLP to support the recruitment, development, and retention of the firm’s women lawyers by amplifying focused efforts for leadership, training, and business cultivation opportunities for attorneys at every phase of their career. Health and wellness, mentorships, and breaking the glass ceiling are some of the issues the group addresses.
“Jen did a fantastic job envisioning and helping to execute this event,” Maxwell said. “As both a newer and junior member of the firm, it can sometimes be difficult to get your bearings. We’re proud that Greenberg Traurig is a place that provides space for everyone to contribute, grow, and thrive – be that a night like this or as part of a client pitch or litigation team. It encapsulates the spirit and goals of the Women’s Initiative.”
Winners included: the Delaware team for Best Team Name -- “Split DE-cions”; Best Individual Score for Litigation Shareholder and “Moves to Strike” team member Brian Feeney for Best Individual Score; and the members of “Cranes & Lanes,” a team composed of players from the Public Finance & Infrastructure and Corporate practices and guests from the participating nonprofit organizations, for “Overall Highest Scoring Team.”
Natali, based in the firm’s Philadelphia office, is a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania with broad experience in criminal and civil cases including health care fraud and opioid cases. She aids clients in the procedural and implementation processes of compliance consistent with Department of Justice guidelines.
Maxwell, also in the Philadelphia office, handles complex litigation cases, including major environmental contamination, product liability, and toxic tort matters. She regularly defends clients in federal and state courts across the country.
McCraken’s practice involves commercial real estate transactional matters, real estate tax appeals, condemnation, and land use concerns.