MBA / FEATURE
High Swartz Celebrates 100 Years with a Year of Charitable Endeavors By Melissa M. Boyd, Esq.
W
ith great pride and pleasure, 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of High Swartz LLP. When Montgomery Evans, John Dettra and Samuel H. High formed the partnership known as Evans, High and Dettra in 1914, they hardly envisioned the birth of a long-lived institution. These were mature and experienced attorneys: Montgomery Evans had been at the bar for 36 years, John Dettra for 26 years and Samuel High for 18 years. They were also quite notable. Samuel High had been prominently mentioned as a candidate on the Democratic ticket for Judge of the Orphans’ Court in 1911. His former law partner, John Faber Miller, had just been elected a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. The first partners were joined by Aaron S. Swartz, Jr. His father at that time was the President Judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. So the creation of the partnership was front page news when reported in the Norristown Times Herald on November 30, 1914. Continuity of the firm was assured when Samuel High’s two sons, Samuel H. High, Jr. and Gilbert P. High, both entered the practice of law in the 1930s and were joined years later by Aaron S. Swartz III and his first cousin, Victor J. Roberts. While the firm retained the image of a family firm for a decade, that was to change in the 1950s when Raymond M. Seidel and Marlyn F. Smith joined the firm as associates, followed in the 1960s by Stephen G. Yusem and Gilbert P. High, Jr. They became the third generation of High Swartz attorneys, and carried the firm into the age of time records, hourly billing rates, fax machines and automatic typewriters. The 1970s was a traumatic decade for the firm, with the death of all of the second generation of Highs and Swartzes. But the mantel had already passed, the firm had grown dramatically in size and the breadth of its practice, and
new partners and associates had joined the firm to carry its practice into the 21st century. A number of the additions to the firm were lateral transfers of experienced practitioners who brought with them new clients and fresh perspectives. But there are additional reasons High Swartz has reached this landmark anniversary. Primarily, most of those who have chosen to practice together at High Swartz have a love for the law. Those associated with the firm over the years have treated one another with respect and shared a common goal of being worthy of that respect. Secondly, the primary measure of success among the firm’s partners has been the degree that their daily tasks have successfully met the needs of the firm’s clients, rather than the extent of individual compensation. Finally, and in consequence of the above, the partners of High Swartz over this first 100 years have dedicated themselves to the firm’s continued existence, that it might provide for future generations of High Swartz attorneys a place where work is fun, and where ambition can be fulfilled with honesty and integrity. To commemorate its 100th year, High Swartz has launched twelve months of charitable endeavors, naming its philanthropic efforts, “Setting the Bar High: 10 Deeds for 10 Decades – High Swartz Gives Thanks for 100 Years in Norristown.” Every year, the attorneys of High Swartz participate in charitable efforts in their communities in addition to donating much of their time to providing pro bono service to indigent clients in Montgomery County. Managing partner Joel D. Rosen explains the focus of High Swartz’s charitable efforts for 2014, “We’ve made a special effort to get the entire firm involved — staff and lawyers are all participating in one or more events, often getting the opportunity to include one of their favorite non-profits.” In addition to providing cash donations to various non-profit organizations, High Swartz employees are volunteering their time to serve the community. Employees have already served at the Grace and Cecil Bean Soup Kitchen housed at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Norristown, and
SIDEBAR
17
SPRING 2014
collected children’s clothing for Childway Pediatric Services, a Lansdale in-patient medical facility dedicated to serving children with extensive medical issues. In March, High Swartz partnered with Dunleavy and Associates, a professional services firm dedicated to providing assistance to non-profit organizations, to present a free program at the Montgomery Bar Association to Montgomery County community and civic leaders entitled “Engaging Younger Generations as Donors, Volunteers and Employees.” Additional philanthropic events are planned throughout the year; the “In the Community” page on the High Swartz website is dedicated to highlighting these efforts, as well as a spotlight on two different High Swartz employees and their favorite charities every month. High Swartz serves many non-profit organizations, and one of these is also featured monthly. High Swartz wishes to carry these efforts into its next centennial and is committed to maintaining its office in Norristown. Gilbert P. High, Jr., an active partner at High Swartz, sums up High Swartz’s commitment to the community and, more specifically, in Norristown, “We made the decision to be committed to the town and we want to stay here…and that’s part of why the charities we’re looking to help are also helping us make a statement confirming that we’re committed to Norristown and helping the folks here.” It is no small feat in this day and age to reach an anniversary such as the one that High Swartz celebrates this year. Eric B. Smith, current Treasurer of the Montgomery Bar Association, reflects on the significance, “I think it is important the firm is reaching this milestone.” Smith continued, “I think there’s a lot to be said for something that has stayed together this long. It has evolved. It continues to hone itself and grow its numbers. It is an institution.” High Swartz will continue to revel in its 100th year and, with its leaders committed to the preservation and success of the firm, High Swartz can look forward to another century cultivating its relationships with its clients, the community, the Bench and the Bar.