Champion Award Winner
PROFILE OF A CHAMPION: DENTONS
RAISING THE BAR: A LEGACY OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Dentons was nominated and selected by fellow Georgia business leaders for the firm’s enduring commitment to civic engagement. Dentons’ community involvement is a cornerstone of its identity — a tradition embedded in its culture for decades. Instilled by leaders of its founding firms such as Long, Aldridge & Norman, Dentons has long played an instrumental role in Atlanta’s community and civic life – helping with foundational efforts from the creation of MARTA to securing the 1996 Olympic Games, to its pivotal role in the Westside Futures Fund.
“What first attracted me to this firm was the leadership’s profound commitment to involvement in civic life. This intentional investment in addressing the broader needs of the community has remained a vital part of the Dentons culture.” says Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair, Public Policy and Regulation.
In our conversation with Dentons leaders, we explore their legacy of civic engagement and its benefits to the community, employees and the larger business community.
Excerpts taken from the interview with members of Denton’s senior leadership in Atlanta, Georgia.
A History of Meaningful Civic Impact
“I think one of the things that’s so unique about Georgia, and Atlanta in particular, is that it’s a community that is not only very welcoming, but it is a community that expects people to be engaged, and to be engaged for all the right reasons.” — Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair, Public Policy and Regulation
“It’s one of the reasons I chose this firm over others. The modeling of Clay Long, Bill Stevens, and John Aldridge—all the people who were so engaged in the community—was inspiring. Lawyers at this firm were instrumental in the creation of MARTA, helped us secure the Democratic convention one year, were involved in Super Bowl bids, and worked on natural resource protection. That broader commitment to civic and community engagement truly tilted the balance for me.” — Sharon Gay, Senior Counsel
Defining Civic Engagement: A Call to Action
“Civic engagement is about paying your civic rent. I’m a big believer that business and industry need to pay civic rent. Our businesses and firms aren’t successful on their own. Someone built an airport for us; someone provides roads, streets, and bridges; someone ensures the stability of an economy.” — Sharon Gay, Senior Counsel
“Civic engagement in a law firm means recognizing that as a lawyer, you have to be part of the community and understand that the community will be better if the law firm treats the community as one, as interrelated. You can’t just come to a large or small law firm and exist in a silo, then go back to your family. You have to help the community be better and make a positive difference for everyone involved.” — Mark Silver, Partner
From Global to Local: A Commitment to Improving Lives
“There are so many organizations the firm has been involved in. We’ve been the pro bono counsel for Points of Light for almost 20 years, and it’s been a really strong and important relationship for the firm. Points of Light, as you know, promotes volunteerism.
We’ve also been working with CARE on a pro bono basis for a number of years, helping them around the globe. In addition to Points of Light and CARE, we have a long history with Habitat for Humanity and the Georgia Justice Project. We were also involved in the early stages of the creation of the Westside Future Fund to help with the redevelopment of our historic neighborhood here on the west side of Atlanta.” — Eric Tanenblatt, Global Chair, Public Policy and Regulation
The Business Case for Investing in Community
“I can give you the philosophical view, but the practical view is what’s good for the community is good for business, and what’s good for business is good for the community. Healthy, thriving businesses and a stable economic climate help lift all boats. A healthy community contributes to the stability of our businesses and our economy. You really do need to invest in the notion that helping the community is good for business because it is.” — Sharon Gay, Senior Counsel
