Wilmington Office Organizes Career Day at Harlan Elementary School

Lawyers and staff from the Wilmington office organized a career day at Harlan Elementary School, the firm's adopted school in Wilmington, DE. In an assembly with 150 third, fourth and fifth grade students, presenters described their academic and professional careers in support of the school's focus on college preparation. 

John Balaguer, Managing Partner of the Wilmington office, greeted the students and provided an overview of the various legal careers, including lawyers, paralegals and administrative professionals. Partners Marc Casarino and Chris Singewald, Associates Rochelle Gumapac and Nicholas Wynn and Paralegal Brittany Harry shared stories about their schooling and adversity they overcame, which led to their successful careers in a law firm. The speakers encouraged students who enjoy reading, writing, and searching for facts to consider joining the legal profession.

Speakers also described the schooling required for each of their positions, such as an associates degree or paralegal certificate, a bachelor's degree, or a JD, obtained after completing law school, to reinforce Harlan Elementary's focus on college preparedness. The students recently visited the University of Delaware and are learning what they can do now to prepare for middle school, high school and, eventually, college.

The firm's Wilmington office kicked off its adoption of Harlan Elementary this past January with the presentation of Google Chromebooks for use in the school's classrooms. Harlan Elementary is one of three schools currently adopted by the firm as part of its Adopt-a-School Initiative. The Initiative began in 2012 in Philadelphia as a way for the firm to give back to local communities, invest in education and provide a unique opportunity for lawyers and staff to engage through the investment of time, finances and resources. The firm has since expanded its initiative to other areas in which it has offices, including Wilmington and Allentown, Pennsylvania.