If you’ve entered into downtown Kalamazoo from the east lately, chances are you’ve seen a glimpse of United Way’s 2017 Gerard Thomas Community Law Challenge winners.

Warner Norcross + Judd employees, featured on a billboard overlooking Kalamazoo Avenue, stood out among their peers for their leadership, participation and financial support for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region over the past year. This is their first Law Challenge win.

“It means a lot to the firm because it is an objective reflection that we are giving back to the community in a significant way, which is one of our goals,” said Jay Yelton, partner at WNJ. “Receiving this award is especially meaningful because most of us knew and greatly respect the attorney this award is named after.”

A committee of representatives from the law community determines each year’s winner based on a formula that captures participation, average pledge, number of leadership givers, volunteer engagement and more. Any law firm in the Battle Creek or Kalamazoo region – large or small – is encouraged to join the challenge.

“There are not a lot of opportunities for law firms to work together,” Yelton said. “The Law Challenge provides us such an opportunity and it also allows us to do so in a way that is positive and beneficial to our community. United Way does an excellent job identifying the key needs of the community and supporting those organizations that are truly addressing those particular needs in a measurable way.”

Together, the five participating firms raised more than $90,000 in 2017 – that’s $10,000 more than the previous year.

Congratulations to Warner, Norcross + Judd, and a big thank you to all other participating firms – Kreis Enderle, Honigman, Miller Canfield and Miller Johnson – for everything you do to change the story in our region.

For more information about how to join the Law Challenge, contact Tony Iovieno at 269-250-9838 or aiovieno@uwbckr.org.