NEW ORLEANS --
One of the largest
business law firms in the western United States was selected to receive the Secretary of Defense Employer
Support Freedom Award, June 25, 2015.
Two individuals from the Snell and Wilmer law firm will accept
the award on behalf of the organization in Washington, D.C., Aug. 21, 2015. Matthew Feeney, the chairman
of Snell and Wilmer, and Col. Richard G. Erickson, the staff judge advocate for
Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, and partner at Snell and
Wilmer, will receive the award as the nominator and recipient, respectively.
The award was
established in 1996 with the support of the National Committee for Employer
Support of the Guard and Reserve. It is the Department of Defense’s highest
honor presented to civilian employers for exceptional support of their National
Guard and Reserve employees. Each year, up to 15 deserving employers are
selected to have the opportunity to be nominated for the award.
“It recognizes and
honors employers that make it easier for those of us in the Reserve to leave our
jobs for any period of time,” said Erickson. “This award is about going above
and beyond those laws and making reservists feel that they’re completely
supported.”
The selection board looks closely at the
nomination packets to determine each year's recipients. The main focus is on
the support each organization provides for their military employees. Some employers
offer pay differential and continued healthcare benefits while a service member
is deployed.
“There’s a culture here that
has gotten stronger over time in terms of support for the Guard and Reserve in
some very concrete ways,” said Feeney. “We make sure when folks are deployed they
don’t lose any of their benefits from our firm and their compensation isn’t
reduced. We also do our best to support the families here while they’re
deployed.”
The Guard and Reserve
members comprise nearly one-half of the nation’s military force, providing
essential services to national security and humanitarian efforts at home and
abroad. Supportive employers, with their enduring commitment, help keep the military
strong and the nation secure.
“The Freedom Award is
important because every employer that supports their veterans deserves to be
honored,” said Erickson.
The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award promotes employers’ support and value in the employment
and military service of the reserve component troops. The promise of meaningful
civilian employment enables the service members to defend and protect the
nation. Enhancing the relationship between them and their civilian employers is
key to increasing readiness and retention in the force.