'Go Out of Your Way to Look for Veterans': Increasing Recruitment and Breaking Barriers in Big Law

'Go Out of Your Way to Look for Veterans': Increasing Recruitment and Breaking Barriers in Big Law

November 11, 2022, ALM

Chip Hall and Benjamin Block's commentary were featured in an ALM article about the importance of veterans in Big Law, who bring a unique set of skills and varied life experiences to law firms.

Chip, a former member of the U.S. Coast Guard, recalled that meeting other veterans at Covington and learning about the firm’s involvement in the community made a big difference in his career trajectory. “To see people who I respected, who had done similar things to what I did, that was a huge part of the reason I joined the firm,” Chip said, noting that he received opportunities to participate in several pro bono opportunities, such as a class action for veterans who experienced inexcusable delays by the VA in processing appeals of benefits denials.

Benjamin Block, the leader of Covington’s veterans affinity group and an Army veteran, noted that a personal highlight has been recruiting junior lawyers like Chip. “In the last 5 years, we’ve recruited the next-generation of lawyers who are veterans,” Benjamin said, noting the firm has several dozen veterans among its ranks. “There is a cadre of newer lawyers that we’ve brought in, and when you have that critical mass, the lightbulb goes off.”

Benjamin pointed to several programs that provide support to veterans at Covington, such as including other veterans in the interview process, providing mentors and having a policy that supports those in the reserve service.

Click here to read the full article.