Skoler, Abbott & Presser Marks 50th Anniversary with Donation
SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment-law firm serving the Greater Springfield area, announced that the firm is celebrating its 50th anniversary by donating a $5,000 ‘Skolership’ to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
Since the firm’s founding in 1964, Skoler, Abbott & Presser has exclusively represented management and employers in the fields of labor relations and employment law. Partner Ralph Abbott Jr., who has been with the firm since 1975, said, “our mission has always been to educate local businesses about workplace law, so it makes sense to celebrate a momentous anniversary with a scholarship. By donating to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, our gift will benefit the community that has helped us succeed for half a century. We have deemed our donation a ‘Skolership’ in honor of our founding partner, Martin J. Skoler.”
With two offices in Massachusetts — the main office in Springfield and a branch office in Worcester — and an additional office in Meriden, Conn., Skoler, Abbott & Presser is one of the largest law firms in New England specializing in the practice of labor relations and employment law solely on behalf of management. Skoler Abbott’s clients range from small, nonprofit agencies to national Fortune 500 companies, and include businesses in the healthcare, manufacturing, higher-education, and banking industries.
Attorneys are also approved defense counsel for many insurance companies that provide employment-practices liability insurance coverage to employers. In addition, attorneys regularly practice before administrative agencies in other states. Skoler, Abbott & Presser attorneys are admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York, as well as federal courts in other jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
To apply for scholarships and loans at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, all eligible applicants must complete an online application that will be available on the foundation’s website as of Jan. 1, 2015. In addition to completion of the online application, applicants must arrange for the submission of their most recent official academic transcript and submit a 2015-16 student-aid report. All required documents must be mailed or postmarked no later than March 31, 2015. The Community Foundation’s scholarship application will be available at www.communityfoundation.org/scholarships/application.html.
Last year alone, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts attracted approximately 2,500 applicants for scholarships and loan funds totaling $2 million, and 700 recipients benefitted from donations. The foundation’s scholarship and interest-free student-loan funds support students seeking access to the opportunities offered by higher education and play a substantial role in providing an educated citizenry. Some of the funds help students from a particular schools or areas; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Scholarships and interest-free loan awards are reviewed by volunteer committees and approved by the board of trustees. Awards are made subject to availability and the policies of the Community Foundation.
