Lewis Roca's Managing Partner Explains Why Law Firm Leaders Should Volunteer In The Community Where Their Firm Is Based
This Biglaw managing partner has the scoop on how law firm leaders can give back to their communities.
Ken Van Winkle (courtesy photo)
As a busy lawyer at a fast-paced law firm, you may be wondering how you can make meaningful contributions to your community, and how can you find the time to do it outside of your many work commitments.
Who better to take advice from on this questions than the leader of a prominent law firm?
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Ken Van Winkle, managing partner of Lewis Roca, an Am Law 200 firm, to get his thoughts on the importance of why law firm leaders should be heavily invested in the community in which a firm is headquartered. As you’ll soon find out, Ken is fully committed to Phoenix, Arizona, where his firm was founded in 1950. Here is a write-up of our lively conversation.
Staci Zaretsky (SZ): It’s refreshing to see the managing partner of an Am Law 200 firm be so involved in volunteer work. How are you involved and how do you fit this into your schedule?
Ken Van Winkle (KVW): I’ve always been involved in organizations and endeavors that I’m passionate about. Over the years, I’ve done things for philanthropic organizations, arts organizations, service organizations, and community leadership organizations. For example, I’ve been involved with, and held leadership positions in, Homeward Bound, Business Volunteers for the Arts, Ballet Arizona, Banner Health Foundation, Downtown Phoenix, Inc., Superbowl Host Committee, Final Four Host Committee, and Greater Phoenix Leadership. I’m not big on dividing my time; I meld everything together, and being involved in the community is part of my life. I engage in community service through business initiatives as well as through personal commitment. The firm gets behind me and my family gets behind me to do it.
SZ: As a law firm leader, why do you think it’s so important to be invested in the community where your firm is headquartered?
KVW: I think it’s an obligation of every business leader to be involved in the community. It’s important to take on a role in shaping your community and making it a better place for people to work, live, and raise a family. Leaders need to support the members of the community that support their organization. Further, leaders should invest in their community to make it a place where businesses want to locate, relocate, or establish their business, both for their benefit and the benefit of the community. Finally, as lawyers, we are officers of the court, and there is a basic obligation to give back to our communities.
SZ: What can other lawyers and law firm leaders do to become more involved within their own communities?
KVW: First and foremost, leaders need to identify what they are passionate about. Then they need to seek out community organizations that help satisfy their passion. I suggest that they start young to have an opportunity to grow with the organization and the community. When a leader becomes involved, they need to become an active member. It’s not right just to join an organization or get involved in the community as a business development tool, they should actively engage by attending regular meetings, joining a task force, advancing into leadership, and making their voices heard.
On behalf of everyone here at Above the Law, we’d like to thank Ken Van Winkle for taking the time to help answer these questions on the importance of law firm leaders dedicating themselves to volunteer work where their firm is based and within their local communities.
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on X/Twitter and Threads or connect with her on LinkedIn.
