Our Workers' Compensation Team

DURHAM, North Carolina (December 9, 2009) Two employees of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin with children in the military have provided the firm with a concrete way to show appreciation to the nation’s men and women in uniform.

Under their guidance, the firm has provided boxes for the past six months where staff members place donations ranging from puzzles and books to soap, shampoo and baked goods. The firm donates postage to send the supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The firm plans to continue the project well into the future.

“As a former Marine, I understand first-hand what it is to be away from home – even the smallest connection to home makes a world of difference,” says Eric Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin.

“We here at James Scott Farrin are proud Americans, who are prouder still of those who sacrifice and give up their personal freedom to protect and defend ours. Our employees’ individual contributions and the firm's covering the postage is one small way we can give back.”

The project was spearheaded by Andie Howell, a call center representative and Lisa Jones-Ackey, a case manager.

Howell’s son, Brandon Williams, 38, is a sergeant serving in the National Guard in Iraq. This is his second stint in the military, having served for 4 ½ years under President Bill Clinton and a year after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 under Pres. George W. Bush. He is married with three children, ages 3, 4 and 7.

Jones-Ackey’s son, Paul Cardenas, 23, is a Marine who enlisted in 2006. He was deployed to Iraq from February-December, 2008, and to Afghanistan in May 2009. He is scheduled to return home at the end of October.

After her son joined the National Guard, Howell approached Jones-Ackey for support and the two became fast-friends. It was then that Howell learned how much soldiers yearn for items that would be considered commonplace back home. One day, Jones-Ackey was preparing to send a box to her son, so Howell joined in “to thank Paul for all he was doing.”

“Low and behold, my son was deployed too,” Howell said. “We decided we needed to let our fellow co-workers know that our sons and daughters in the military needed items on a daily basis.

“Our co-workers support us wholeheartedly. They realize and appreciate that there are men and women in the military making sacrifices on a daily basis.”

As a sergeant, Williams has 24 men serving under him. He told his mother that his men particularly enjoy receiving chocolate bars – even if the bars are melted by the time they arrive and the troops have to scrape the packaging.

“Anything for chocolate!” Howell says with a laugh.

“Every time we send a box, I send out an appreciation card thanking them for what they are doing for our country. My son passes out the items based on what his men need and then he takes for himself.”

Jones-Ackey’s son comes from a long line of military personnel. His father is in the Army; both grandparents serve in the Air Force and his step-father is retired from the Air Force.

Cardenas makes it a point to share his “care packages” with others in his unit. His personal passion is Chewy Chips Ahoy cookies, but he also likes receiving books.

“He is so thankful for all the things that are sent that he can’t get on his own,” Jones-Ackey said.

“Before we talked to the firm’s management, Andie and I were footing the bill on our own. We are so appreciative. It is a big help.”

ABOUT THE FIRM

Founded: 1997 by James S. Farrin, Duke University School of Law, J.D. (1990) in Durham

Number of employees: Approximately 130, including 24 attorneys. Approximately 20 staff members are fluently bilingual, speaking English and Spanish.

Offices: 13 statewide, including Durham, Raleigh, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Goldsboro, Henderson, New Bern, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Sanford, Wilson

Major practice areas: Personal Injury, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights, Social Security, Workers’ Compensation

Website: http://www.farrin.com

Presently leading one of the largest civil rights cases in United States history: In re Black Farmers Discrimination Litigation, Case No. 08-mc-0511 (PLF) (D.D.C.), which deals with the United States Department of Agriculture’s discrimination against African-American farmers.

The firm's many philanthropic pursuits include Duke Children's Hospital, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The firm has a matching-gift program wherein it matches an employee's philanthropic contributions.

Contact Us:
Law Offices of James Scott Farrin
Eric Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer
800-220-7321
publicrelations@farrin.com
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