By Julie Freer
Legal News
When Jennifer Stocker became a managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg's Michigan offices in November of 2023, she knew continuing the firm's commitment to community service would be a top goal.
Stocker, who has 30 years of experience as a labor and employment attorney, joined Barnes & Thornburg in 2010 and is familiar with the firm's commitment to diversity and community initiatives.
"At Barnes & Thornburg, we live and work by the values that have guided the firm for nearly 100 years," said Stocker.
That means delivering first-class client services, attracting talented attorneys and business professionals, and giving back to the community in a variety of ways.
"Supporting local communities is not only socially responsible but it also creates an atmosphere of satisfaction that comes with giving back and contributing to the greater good," said Stocker, who is based out of Barnes & Thornburg's Grand Rapids office.
Starting a family and a career
Stocker and her husband Jeff Farmer have been married since 1987 and have four adult children, and two grandchildren. She became interested in the law while working for a law firm while obtaining her undergraduate degree at Calvin College.
"I was part of the accounting department when the new associates — all about my age — joined the firm," remembers Stocker. "It was a light bult moment for me, and I thought, 'I can do that!'"
She went on to obtain her J.D. from Valparaiso University Law School and began her career as an attorney in Colorado and later Kansas City, as the couple moved around for Jeff's job. In 1999, Jeff's work landed them in Grand Rapids.
Balancing a growing family and successful career wasn't always a straight line, Stocker says, but she has no regrets about the journey.
"I have always believed in the potential to maintain a meaningful work and personal life," said Stocker. "I pride myself on the fact that, while challenging, I could find some semblance of allegiance to both. I am committed to encouraging and supporting attorneys and staff in their quest to meet family needs while maintaining a successful career."
In addition to her leadership roles, Stocker maintains an active labor and employment practice, defending companies across the country in a wide variety of complex employment litigation in state, federal and appellate courts, and before state and federal administrative agencies.
Her litigation and dispute resolution experience includes the defense of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
"I also provide pre-litigation counseling, risk management and avoidance advice, alternative dispute resolution, and trial and appellate counsel," said Stocker.
Foundation for change
In 2020, the firm established the Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to combat racism and social injustice with an initial $75,000 in personal commitments from firm leadership. The foundation has continued to raise funds from Barnes & Thornburg team members, totaling over one million dollars to date, awarded in grants of $50,000 each to organizations based in communities where the firm has offices.
"These organizations include the Youth Arts Alliance, which provides healing-centered arts workshops to young people, families and communities across Michigan," said Stocker.
It also includes the Michigan League for Public Policy, an organization dedicated to using data to educate, advocate, and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities. The grants have supported efforts related to racial equity, incarceration, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness, and diversity in the legal profession, among other advocacy areas.
"Determining the local community organizations Barnes & Thornburg supports is not a one-size-fits-all process for a variety of reasons," said Stocker. "For example, the work we do through our Foundation begins with input from our attorneys and staff. We focus on organizations that effect, promote and advocate for racial and social justice. The vetting process through the Foundation also provides the firm with a pipeline of organizations that our offices can support in various other ways."
Increasing diversity through the Minority Clerkship Program
Many communities in West Michigan are yet to be known for having high diversity percentages in the legal community. One way Barnes & Thornburg is combatting that is through the Minority Clerkship Program sponsored by the Grand Rapids and Floyd Skinner bar associations.
Barnes & Thornburg former associate attorney Trevor Mason learned about the program when he attended a meeting of the Black Law Student Association while at Michigan State University College of Law.
"It was a great opportunity for first-year law students to learn about these programs in the West Michigan legal community," said Mason, who notes he now returns to MSU each year to give this same presentation. "Lawyers from minority and historically underserved backgrounds offer perspective and ingenuity that can bring a breath of fresh air to a legal profession that can be slow to change. Unfortunately, people of color at various stages of their legal careers do not have many attorneys who look like them in the West Michigan legal community. Worse, they don’t see many attorneys of color in high-level positions such as partners or managing partners, leaving younger attorneys of color feeling that there are few opportunities in law firms and little opportunity for advancement."
Mason said programs like Minority Clerkship Program can be instrumental in changing this narrative.
"Through this program, I received training and development on various legal and soft skills at Barnes & Thornburg through a paid internship," said Mason, who worked at the firm full-time from 2020 to October of 2024.
"I was exposed to professionals and mentors in the legal field who modeled what it takes to succeed in a law firm. I am proud to be part of a firm that values increasing diversity, not only within the legal profession but within the fabric of the firm."
Participating in the Minority Clerkship Program is a win-win for individuals and the firm, said Stocker.
"It offers firms a wider talent pool, a broader diversity of thought and perspectives and drives innovation, all of which add value to solving today's evolving legal issues," said Stocker.
New initiatives
Stocker said this year Barnes & Thornburg is supporting two new initiatives through sponsorships — The Grand Rapids Art Museum's Diversity and Equity Acquisition Fund and the West Michigan Black Legal Summit.
"The Diversity and Equity Acquisition Fund will enable the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) to strategically grow its collection and present more inclusive stories relevant to the community," said Stocker.
"The inaugural West Michigan Black Legal Summit, held on Sept. 5, 2024, is designed for lawyers, judges, law students and legal professionals dedicated to strengthening the Black legal community in West Michigan. The summit delved into key topics such as mental health, practice development and community engagement, providing participants with essential insights and tools to enhance their careers and positively impact the community."
Supporting veterans
In addition to its diversity initiatives, Barnes & Thornburg is a proud supporter of service veterans and their families.
The firm works with Grand Haven nonprofit Out Side In, which provides equine-assisted therapy to veterans (and others) who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
"Out Side In’s 'Heroes for Horses' program also adopts retired thoroughbred racehorses and pairs them with retired service members as both adjust to a new environment, and find healing and new purpose," said Stocker.
Stocker also initiated a partnership with Bell’s Brewery, based in Kalamazoo, for the development of the brewery’s Goin’ Dark coffee stout to honor service veterans and their families.
“Goin’ Dark was initially conceived, developed, brewed and packaged by a committee of more than 20 Bell’s Brewery employees who served in the military, are currently enlisted, or are military family members," said Stocker. "Goin’ Dark, a coffee stout brewed with barrel-aged coffee beans to represent the many night missions accomplished by military personnel, is still brewed today in honor of veterans and their families."
Legal News
When Jennifer Stocker became a managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg's Michigan offices in November of 2023, she knew continuing the firm's commitment to community service would be a top goal.
Stocker, who has 30 years of experience as a labor and employment attorney, joined Barnes & Thornburg in 2010 and is familiar with the firm's commitment to diversity and community initiatives.
"At Barnes & Thornburg, we live and work by the values that have guided the firm for nearly 100 years," said Stocker.
That means delivering first-class client services, attracting talented attorneys and business professionals, and giving back to the community in a variety of ways.
"Supporting local communities is not only socially responsible but it also creates an atmosphere of satisfaction that comes with giving back and contributing to the greater good," said Stocker, who is based out of Barnes & Thornburg's Grand Rapids office.
Starting a family and a career
Stocker and her husband Jeff Farmer have been married since 1987 and have four adult children, and two grandchildren. She became interested in the law while working for a law firm while obtaining her undergraduate degree at Calvin College.
"I was part of the accounting department when the new associates — all about my age — joined the firm," remembers Stocker. "It was a light bult moment for me, and I thought, 'I can do that!'"
She went on to obtain her J.D. from Valparaiso University Law School and began her career as an attorney in Colorado and later Kansas City, as the couple moved around for Jeff's job. In 1999, Jeff's work landed them in Grand Rapids.
Balancing a growing family and successful career wasn't always a straight line, Stocker says, but she has no regrets about the journey.
"I have always believed in the potential to maintain a meaningful work and personal life," said Stocker. "I pride myself on the fact that, while challenging, I could find some semblance of allegiance to both. I am committed to encouraging and supporting attorneys and staff in their quest to meet family needs while maintaining a successful career."
In addition to her leadership roles, Stocker maintains an active labor and employment practice, defending companies across the country in a wide variety of complex employment litigation in state, federal and appellate courts, and before state and federal administrative agencies.
Her litigation and dispute resolution experience includes the defense of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
"I also provide pre-litigation counseling, risk management and avoidance advice, alternative dispute resolution, and trial and appellate counsel," said Stocker.
Foundation for change
In 2020, the firm established the Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to combat racism and social injustice with an initial $75,000 in personal commitments from firm leadership. The foundation has continued to raise funds from Barnes & Thornburg team members, totaling over one million dollars to date, awarded in grants of $50,000 each to organizations based in communities where the firm has offices.
"These organizations include the Youth Arts Alliance, which provides healing-centered arts workshops to young people, families and communities across Michigan," said Stocker.
It also includes the Michigan League for Public Policy, an organization dedicated to using data to educate, advocate, and fight for policy solutions that undo historic and systemic racial and economic inequities. The grants have supported efforts related to racial equity, incarceration, domestic violence, poverty, homelessness, and diversity in the legal profession, among other advocacy areas.
"Determining the local community organizations Barnes & Thornburg supports is not a one-size-fits-all process for a variety of reasons," said Stocker. "For example, the work we do through our Foundation begins with input from our attorneys and staff. We focus on organizations that effect, promote and advocate for racial and social justice. The vetting process through the Foundation also provides the firm with a pipeline of organizations that our offices can support in various other ways."
Increasing diversity through the Minority Clerkship Program
Many communities in West Michigan are yet to be known for having high diversity percentages in the legal community. One way Barnes & Thornburg is combatting that is through the Minority Clerkship Program sponsored by the Grand Rapids and Floyd Skinner bar associations.
Barnes & Thornburg former associate attorney Trevor Mason learned about the program when he attended a meeting of the Black Law Student Association while at Michigan State University College of Law.
"It was a great opportunity for first-year law students to learn about these programs in the West Michigan legal community," said Mason, who notes he now returns to MSU each year to give this same presentation. "Lawyers from minority and historically underserved backgrounds offer perspective and ingenuity that can bring a breath of fresh air to a legal profession that can be slow to change. Unfortunately, people of color at various stages of their legal careers do not have many attorneys who look like them in the West Michigan legal community. Worse, they don’t see many attorneys of color in high-level positions such as partners or managing partners, leaving younger attorneys of color feeling that there are few opportunities in law firms and little opportunity for advancement."
Mason said programs like Minority Clerkship Program can be instrumental in changing this narrative.
"Through this program, I received training and development on various legal and soft skills at Barnes & Thornburg through a paid internship," said Mason, who worked at the firm full-time from 2020 to October of 2024.
"I was exposed to professionals and mentors in the legal field who modeled what it takes to succeed in a law firm. I am proud to be part of a firm that values increasing diversity, not only within the legal profession but within the fabric of the firm."
Participating in the Minority Clerkship Program is a win-win for individuals and the firm, said Stocker.
"It offers firms a wider talent pool, a broader diversity of thought and perspectives and drives innovation, all of which add value to solving today's evolving legal issues," said Stocker.
New initiatives
Stocker said this year Barnes & Thornburg is supporting two new initiatives through sponsorships — The Grand Rapids Art Museum's Diversity and Equity Acquisition Fund and the West Michigan Black Legal Summit.
"The Diversity and Equity Acquisition Fund will enable the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) to strategically grow its collection and present more inclusive stories relevant to the community," said Stocker.
"The inaugural West Michigan Black Legal Summit, held on Sept. 5, 2024, is designed for lawyers, judges, law students and legal professionals dedicated to strengthening the Black legal community in West Michigan. The summit delved into key topics such as mental health, practice development and community engagement, providing participants with essential insights and tools to enhance their careers and positively impact the community."
Supporting veterans
In addition to its diversity initiatives, Barnes & Thornburg is a proud supporter of service veterans and their families.
The firm works with Grand Haven nonprofit Out Side In, which provides equine-assisted therapy to veterans (and others) who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
"Out Side In’s 'Heroes for Horses' program also adopts retired thoroughbred racehorses and pairs them with retired service members as both adjust to a new environment, and find healing and new purpose," said Stocker.
Stocker also initiated a partnership with Bell’s Brewery, based in Kalamazoo, for the development of the brewery’s Goin’ Dark coffee stout to honor service veterans and their families.
“Goin’ Dark was initially conceived, developed, brewed and packaged by a committee of more than 20 Bell’s Brewery employees who served in the military, are currently enlisted, or are military family members," said Stocker. "Goin’ Dark, a coffee stout brewed with barrel-aged coffee beans to represent the many night missions accomplished by military personnel, is still brewed today in honor of veterans and their families."
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