Biglaw

Associate’s Death Raises Questions About Work/Life Balance at Law Firms

Stress can be just as deleterious to your health when working at a regional firm as it is when you work for a truly huge firm. This week, we've been fielding a bunch of reports about an associate who passed away at home after working what some tipsters report as maniac hours at his regional law firm the week before. It's a sad story, one that some accuse the law firm of trying to cover up, but it's another opportunity for us to remind readers to take care of themselves even when work seems overwhelming....

DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP — MEMORANDUM — PASSING OF ADAM MAYNARD

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you that on Friday February 10 our friend Adam Maynard passed away from natural causes at his home in Charleston, West Virginia. As many of you know, Adam was a senior associate in our labor department and was only 35 years old. His passing came as a total shock to us. Adam has distinguished his service to the firm in many respects both in his practice and in his community. If you do receive any media inquiries regarding Adam please insure that they are routed to myself or John Hussell here in the Charleston office.

There will be a visitation at Hall’s Funeral Home in Proctorville, Ohio from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14. If you would like to attend detailed directions are available from Tom Hamm, our office manager in Charleston. The funeral service will be on Wednesday but will be a private service with family only. Our Charleston office is working with Adam’s family toward the establishment of a memorial fund and there will be further information available to you as that is completed. His family has asked for only one thing at this juncture and that is our prayers for Adam and his son Christian. Please join me in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers through this very difficult time.

Mark Carter

DINSMORE & SHOHL LLP — FIRM WEBSITE MESSAGE– PASSING OF ADAM MAYNARD

For those who knew him best, it was easy to see where Adam Maynard’s heart lay.

“He had a tremendous work ethic, but his passions were his family and coaching youth basketball,” said Mark Carter, chair of Dinsmore’s Labor Practice Group. “He found joy in serving others, and he always made a positive impact on those he met.”

Maynard, 35, passed away on Feb. 10 at his home in Charleston, West Virginia. A 2003 graduate of the Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, where he was awarded the prestigious Harter Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy, he joined Dinsmore in 2007 and was a senior associate in the labor department in the firm’s Charleston office.

Adam’s thorough knowledge of labor and employment law was put to work almost immediately after joining Dinsmore, as he began working with Carter on a high-profile matter involving the unions for employees of the Greenbrier Resort. Over the next two years, he devoted himself to negotiating 10 collective bargaining agreements with the unions, playing an integral role in assisting the iconic resort repair its labor relations.

His abilities carried over into other facets of his practice, as he was accomplished as both an employment litigator and a labor litigator. In fact, Carter says he can’t recall a case in which Maynard didn’t win or reach a favorable resolution for his client.

“He was extremely reliable and sought-after because of his skills and his dedication,” said Carter.

His efforts didn’t go unnoticed, as he was frequently recognized by peers for his accomplishments. He was listed as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers for five consecutive years, beginning in 2008.

Away from the court room, however, Adam was a devoted father to his three-year old son, Christian. Carter recalled Adam’s hectic schedule during the Greenbrier negotiations, in which Adam routinely sacrificed rest to maintain his family responsibilities and commitments.

Among those commitments was Adam’s involvement in youth basketball. He not only served as a coach for a junior high team and the area AAU team, but also as a benefactor. He gave rides to and from practices, frequently purchased shoes and apparel for kids who couldn’t afford it, and even stepped in to help a child’s parent make their rent payment.

“He never mentioned a word about doing this, because he didn’t do it for accolades or attention,” said Carter. “He just wanted to help out, and I think that says a lot about his character.”

Carter said the firm is currently working with Adam’s family to establish a memorial fund to further his passions; however his unexpected passing has left a void in the community.

“It’s a very tough time, because he was more than a co-worker,” said Carter. “He is going to be missed.”

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