Page 8 - Social_Impact_Report-5-6-19_Neat

Kraig Long: Making It Happen – Social Impact Report 2018-19

Kraig Long:

Making It Happen

Firm Principal Manages Thriving Labor Practice and

Role as President of Judge Alexander Williams, Jr.

Center for Education Justice & Ethics Kraig Long, Principal

iles & Stockbridge Principal but first, Long had another date distinguished career, beginning in establish—and then exponentially and procedures, as well as So when Long got the call,
and Board Member Kraig with destiny—this time, in the Washington, D.C. grow—his comprehensive practice methods designed to minimize he was ready—and the Judge
M Long’s success—both as legendary personage of Judge in the labor & employment law litigation risk, including accommo- Alexander Williams, Jr. Center
a student of law and policy, and Alexander Williams, Jr. Over the years, the elder judge space, counseling businesses dating employees with disabilities, for Education Justice & Ethics
later, as a first-mover and leader would occasionally reach out to and organizations across the managing family and medical was born. As its first president,
in those worlds—is rooted in the Long’s first interactions with his old clerk, sometimes asking mid-Atlantic region. In 2016, leaves, handling harassment com- Long has helped shepherd the
age-old combination of excellence Judge Williams, who had been to make the impossible possible. Kraig made the jump to Miles & plaints, administering discipline center from its earliest days as an
and the kind of grit that gets the appointed five years earlier by True to form, Long would give Stockbridge, where he focuses and preventing discrimination. independent entity hosting events
job done—no matter what the President Bill Clinton, came as an himself a crash course in the on defending employers against “For the firm, diversity, as one that focused on recently released
job is or where it might lead you. intern in the elder jurist’s office. topic of the challenge at hand— claims on diverse employment example, is not a ‘check the box’ inmates and the challenges
It is swimming without sinking. It “I worked my tail off for him,” sometimes it was art, or planning matters, including discrimination, endeavor. We are not afraid to they face re-entering civilian life
is being tossed into the fire, and Long admits, laughing. Judge and coordinating a complex wrongful discharge, disability, take stands and lead in the space.” through its current partnership
learning to cook. Williams bucked convention event—and then make it happen. family leave, wage-and-hour claims, with the University of Maryland
by subsequently offering Long a non-competition agreements and Long’s commitment to and the broader platform that
As a law student at the clerkship with the same judge “I try to be solutions-oriented. harassment. “There is a clear social impact and his get-it-done collaboration provides. “Governor
University of Maryland, Long (judges rarely take on their own Too often, I feel that we react in the synergy between my client base mentality also dovetailed with Hogan has been very supportive
recognized a parallel excellence interns in this way, lest it make moment, or focus on the superficial and what Miles & Stockbridge Judge Williams’ biggest and most of our efforts,” Long asserts.
coursing through Miles & the internships themselves fix, when real answers require has to offer,” Long notes. “And challenging project: an ethics “And with our placement in the
Stockbridge and its reputation more competitive). A bond was a deeper dive and the widest even beyond that—there is an think tank dedicated to finding university’s Department of Social
among the state’s legal power- forged in hard work and mutual berth of data available,” Long appreciation of what the firm ways to surmount some of the & Behavioral Sciences, we have a
houses as a “revered firm in respect; Judge Williams became emphasizes. These core beliefs, in stands for.” Long proactively social and legal issues the judge wealth of resources and expertise
Maryland.” His path would a cherished mentor and friend to concert with Long’s dogged efforts counsels and trains clients witnessed first-hand during his that has allowed us to hit the
eventually cross with the firm’s, Long as the latter began his own on behalf of his clients, helped him regarding employment policies esteemed 20-year career. ground running.”

7 8