Reflecting on 2020
Each new year starts out with hope, optimism, and ambition. Many people set intentions for the year, revisit personal and professional visions and missions, and start out with renewed vigor. It’s probably no understatement to say that nobody anticipated how 2020 would develop, nor come to an end.
A recent article in Time Magazine, “2020 Tested Us Beyond Measure. Where Do We Go From Here?” written by Stephanie Zacharek, offers an apt summation:
“There have been worse years in U.S. history, and certainly worse years in world history, but most of us alive today have seen nothing like this one. You would need to be over 100 to remember the devastation of World War I and the 1918 flu pandemic; roughly 90 to have a sense of the economic deprivation wrought by the Great Depression; and in your 80s to retain any memory of World War II and its horrors. The rest of us have had no training wheels for this.”
While everyone will be glad to finish the chapter on 2020, this year has made us all more aware of the things we value and for which we are most grateful.
Atlee Hall continues to live its mission of “Achieving Justice. Protecting Community.” We were able to help a number of clients and their families reach closure and move forward with their lives through settlements that will support their future needs. We continued to support our community partners and the important work they do to enhance lives in Lancaster as they reimagined how to deliver their programs virtually and still have an impact. These organizations include Girls on the Run of Lancaster-Lebanon; Lancaster County Conservancy; Lancaster Community Foundation and the Extraordinary Give; The Common Wheel; and, Music For Everyone.
We must also acknowledge the phenomenal Atlee Hall team: legal assistants, paralegals, attorneys, and the administrative staff, who have demonstrated their resilience, adaptability, and commitment as we, like all businesses and their staff, have had to adjust our routines to support work and family lives. We are grateful that all our whole team and their families have remained healthy throughout the year.
In a year that has brought challenges at every twist and turn, it is therefore pleasing for Atlee Hall to be recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® as one of the best law firms in Pennsylvania for 2021. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.
In addition, firm partners, Thomas Hall and Jaime Jackson, have been listed in the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers® In America for their continued work on behalf of plaintiffs in Central Pennsylvania. Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession. Jaime Jackson was selected by his peers as Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in medical malpractice law-plaintiffs. Thomas Hall was selected as Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in products liability-plaintiffs as well as recognized for work in medical malpractice and personal injury. Thomas Hall also received a 2021 Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating. For 150 years Martindale-Hubbell® ratings have been used to help clients identify, evaluate, and select the most appropriate representation. An “AV” rating means that the attorney has reached the highest of professional excellence and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.
As 2020 draws to a close, Atlee Hall would like to thank its team, its clients, and the Lancaster community for remaining steadfast in its support of one another. We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy 2021.