News
GREENSBORO, NC—The US Department of Defense has recognized the Greensboro office with the Patriot Award presented through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Program. The Patriot Award recognizes employers and supervisors for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve components. Attorney Stephen Shaw nominated his immediate supervisor Jack Hicks for the award as representative of the Greensboro office and the firm. In addition to being an IP litigator, Shaw is also a major in the Marine Corps Reserve and an Iraq War veteran.
“I think this nomination was so very well-deserved. None of us serving in the Reserves could do this if it wasn’t for the great culture of the firm and the support of our supervisors and mentors,” Shaw said.
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) has previously been recognized for support of our veteran and reservist colleagues on several occasions, including in 2008 when the firm was awarded the ESGR Freedom Award. Womble was the first law firm to receive the Freedom Award, which is the Department of Defense’s highest honor for employer support of the Guard and Reserve. The firm was honored again in 2014 when U.S. Navy Reserve Officer Jesse Schaefer nominated Raleigh Office Managing Partner Johnny Loper to participate in a VIP tour of U.S. Navy facilities in Virginia.
The firm also supports military personnel in a number of ways, including through a long-standing military leave policy. Numerous firm employees serve in the guard and reserves, and several have been activated for overseas tours of duty in recent years, particularly since 9/11 as the military has increasingly called on the reserve forces for operational support.
