On April 10, 2019, White and Williams lawyers from the Lehigh Valley office presented a Law Day program to fifth grade students at their adopted school, Thomas Jefferson Elementary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They provided students with a brief overview of the Rule of Law before guiding student participants through a mock trial, complete with the roles of court crier, judge, attorneys, parties and jury.
The case centered on a female employee's claim that she was paid less than her male coworkers. After presentation of the evidence, the fifth grade jury ruled that the evidence established that the difference in pay was not based on gender and that the employer had legitimate business reasons for the pay difference. In addition to learning about the judicial system and the litigation process, the students recognized the importance of assessing all facts before reaching a conclusion.
The Lehigh Valley office kicked-off its engagement with Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in February 2018 with the donation of funds to provide the school with an educationally based Lego Wall, Legos and storage bins for the school’s library. As part of the partnership, lawyers and staff participate in monthly reading days at the school and held school supply and holiday gift drives.
White and Williams' Adopt-a-School Initiative began as a way for the firm to give back to the local community, invest in education and provide a unique opportunity for lawyers and staff to engage through the investment of time, finances and resources. The firm currently has adopted schools in Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley and Wilmington.