Inclusion is Bringing Your Whole Self to Work… and (Sometimes) Your Family

This past weekend, the OIG team headed to Lake Tahoe in beautiful Olympic Valley for our second annual firm-wide summer retreat. This retreat was particularly meaningful because our families, partners, and/or significant others were also included.

We spent the weekend enjoying meals together, introducing our kids and fur babies to each other, and getting to know one another on a more personal level. More than 60 people were in attendance as we splashed around in the pool (in June gloom weather!), relaxed in the hot tub, and worked in teams on an exciting geocaching adventure! The geocaching in particular taught us the importance of teamwork. The activity required us to play to one another’s strengths and gave each of us an opportunity to have our voice heard. Very important lessons that directly translate to investigative work.

Our kids were also right in the mix – two of our grown children, Adin Krebs-Oppenheimer and Sinclaire Thomas, lead all the “littles” in engaging activities, including engineering with toothpicks and marshmallows in teams, attempting a hummus recipe, and creating beautiful artwork! Many friendships were made at “Camp OIG.”

One of the core values of the partnership is to acknowledge our support system. The work we do does not stop with our team members – our family and friends play a critical role as well. They also make sacrifices with their time and the absence of their loved ones, and this collective effort supports the important work we do as a civil rights firm. The retreat was an effort to thank our incredible extended team, adding new meaning to “bringing your whole self to work!”