The Atlanta Lawyer December 2011/January 2012 | Page 15

spirit of the season Atlanta Firm Teams with Habitat for Humanity for Holiday House Build By R. Clay Milling II Henry Spiegel Milling LLP [email protected] O n a recent cold November morning, attorneys and staff from Henry Spiegel Milling LLP, along with family and friends, put power tools to work on the firm’s Annual Habitat for Humanity House. This was the fourth year the firm teamed with Atlanta’s Habitat Chapter to help make homeownership a reality for a local family. The firm’s annual participation takes place during the holiday season, and includes a monetary donation, as well as a commitment to work on the house during one phase of construction. Although there was plenty of fun shared among the more than 30 volunteers, this year’s build was particularly challenging because the work included hanging siding and insulation, shingling the roof, and building decks for the front and back of the house. “Many of our volunteers don’t have a lot of experience in home construction, but they certainly rose to the challenge,” said HSM partner Clay Milling. “And the house leaders, who are also volunteers, gave great instructions on how to do things correctly. I was proud of the final product.” Prior to 2008, the firm’s holiday tradition consisted of a blacktie party at Ansley Golf Club. When the financial crisis hit, and unemployment rose, the firm felt the money spent on the party could be better used to help those struggling through the slumping economy. So the partners made the decision to replace the holiday party with a community service project. Senior partner Phil Henry explained, “While the holiday party provided a really nice opportunity to thank those that contribute to our firm, the impact we make with the Habitat project is much greater in duration and scope. It’s a powerful thing to come together to help a deserving family, improve an Atlanta neighborhood, and support a terrific organization such as Habitat for Humanity. We feel fortunate to take part.” For more photos of the 2011 Henry Spiegel Milling LLP Habitat House Build, please visit http://www.hsm-law.com. Back row, left to right: R. Clay Milling, Clay Milling, Harvey Spiegel and Matt Starosciak. Front row, left to right: Debbie Sullivan, Terry Allan Sullivan, and Phil Henry. The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association December 2011/January 2012 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 15