© 2014 The Texas Lawbook.
By Kerry Curry — (December 19) — They’ve made gingerbread houses, gone to the movies and had breakfast with Santa.
These are not your typical law firm holiday parties, but they are, in some instances, surpassing the traditional dinner-and-drinks events in popularity and attendance. Family-friendly events are drawing big crowds as firms and clients embrace new ways to celebrate the holiday season.
V&E Partner Gillian Hobson and two other V&E attorneys started the annual tradition after brainstorming about creating a family-friendly holiday event, Hobson said.
The inclusive event recognizes Hanukkah with blue and white decorations along with traditional red and green Christmas fare. It includes a variety of activities to entertain the children. This year, a snow slide was a big hit.
“I can tell you that it’s a huge success because I have clients calling me in September to find out exactly when it will be held to get it on their calendars. It draws a diverse array of clients from across the firm,” she said. “It really is family fun for our clients and for our associates with young kids and for our senior partners who have grandchildren.”
Akin Gump’s Dallas office has been taking its clients to the movies for 13 years, which makes sense considering the firm has represented the Plano-based theater chain Cinemark since its 1984 founding.
Dallas partner Terry Schpok, who advises Cinemark, came to Ken Menges, partner in charge in Dallas, with the movie outing idea in 2002 after a conversation with some of the Cinemark executives.
Cinemark dedicates its largest theater, its Webb Chapel location, to the event, which Akin Gump holds right around the holidays because of the blockbuster family-friendly movies that typically get released then. Its very first film was the second Harry Potter movie. Last year’s film was “Frozen” and this year more than 500 guests saw “Penguins of Madagascar.”
Attendees get an Akin Gump wristband that allows them to get any food or beverages sold by Cinemark for free, everything from pizzas and wings to the more traditional popcorn and soda.
“It’s a very nice tradition,” Menges said. “It was especially nice this year that the CEO of Cinemark, Tim Warner, came to greet us and thank us and wish us a happy holiday. That was very cool.”
The Dallas office of Baker Botts started its own movie tradition last year when it invited a few hundred clients and guests to watch a 24-hour advance showing of “The Hunger Games.” The 2013 event was so successful that the law firm rented multiple theatres at the new Studio Movie Grill on North Central Expressway for an advance showing of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1.”
Adult attendees mingled at the theatre’s open bar for an hour prior to the start of the movie, while children were provided free popcorn, candy and soft drinks as they entered the theatre. Once inside, guests were able to order from the menu, with Baker Botts picking up the tab.
Multiple general counsel attending the event said they were able to socialize with Baker Botts lawyers and colleagues, while their children were able to meet other kids their age and share their views on Jennifer Lawrence and the other actors.
Jackson Walker’s Houston office has sponsored a breakfast with Santa event for its clients every year for the past three years.
The firm transforms its large conference room into a winter wonderland with snowflakes and ornaments hanging from the ceiling and a path to Santa Claus. The event includes craft tables for the children and a breakfast. The last two years, the firm kicked it up a notch by inviting a high school madrigal choir to sing.
The event came about because the Jackson Walker’s younger associates with children were working on business development efforts for the firm and recognized that many of their clients also have kids, said Mary Lou Flynn-DuPart, a partner.
“There was some disagreement at the beginning about whether it was a good idea, but I think we’ve proven that it was a great idea,” Flynn-DuPart said. “It wasn’t what most people saw as traditional business development, but it’s been a great thing. People without children or with adult children don’t understand what a huge gift it is to give your clients a fun-filled morning downtown. The clients bring their kids and the attorneys bring their kids. Everyone’s kids mix and mingle, and it’s a nice event to interact on a family level.”
Gibson Dunn’s Dallas office invited clients and their families to Reunion Tower, where they transformed three floors into different areas of the world where the firm has a presence. There was a floor representing Asia with a Chinese calligrapher and Asian food. Another floor represented its U.S. offices in New York, Texas, California and Colorado and included Western-themed food. The London floor included a red phone booth and photos with Santa.
Gibson Dunn did a family event last year at the Dallas Theater Center and likely will continue to do a client family-friendly event every year.
“It was really fun,” Dallas partner Rob Little said. “I think the kids really liked it, and, for us, it’s nice to see people out with their families. It’s a good way to get to know clients a little better in a different environment.”
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