At a festive dinner at Stevenson University’s Rockwell Hall on May 28th, the Murthy Law Firm family came together to celebrate the firm’s 20th anniversary. The mood was both exultant and thoughtful: it was at once a night of high spirits and a time to reflect on all the achievements of the past twenty years, helping thousands of clients to fulfill their American dreams.
The evening began with a solemn invocation by Murthy Law Firm founder and president, Sheela Murthy, who gave thanks for the attorneys and staff, down through the years, who have helped her to realize her vision: helping people by providing outstanding client service and the finest immigration legal counsel available anywhere. If the firm has succeeded beyond her wildest dreams, she said, it is only because she has been greatly blessed. She commended her colleagues for their dedication to serving others, and for balancing their commitments to work, family, and the community – never forgetting the importance of each.
Then it was Ms. Murthy’s turn to be commended: MLF attorney Joel Yanovich presented her with two resolutions from the Maryland State Senate: one congratulating Murthy on “her many contributions of time, talent, and treasure to build a better community, a stronger state, and a more diverse nation;” the other, honoring the Murthy Law Firm, “In recognition of 20 years as a Maryland employer, ally to American companies, friend to immigrants, and supporter of the community.”
Ms. Murthy’s personal assistant, Reggie Sukhai, presented her with a 20th anniversary card, signed by everyone at the firm, which she received with heartfelt gratitude on behalf of herself and her husband, Vasant Nayak, the digital arts expert who has shaped the firm’s web presence from the beginning. Managing Attorney, Aron Finkelstein, also took to the podium to reminisce about the early years of the firm, and remarked on its phenomenal growth since he joined.
To underscore how much time has passed since the firm was founded, Ms. Murthy gave a brief and humorous quiz. “What happened in 1994?” she asked? Among other things, she said: it was the year Forest Gump was released; Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa; and the Sony PlayStation was introduced. Gas was $1.11 a gallon, and there were almost 60 million fewer Americans. In 1994, Murthy’s office space consisted of her dining room table; today, the firm has more than 23,000 square feet of office space on four floors, and more than 80 employees in Owings Mills – not to mention the 20 employees who work for the firm’s affiliate offices in India!
The highlight of the evening came when Ms. Murthy presented a special gift to each of her cherished colleagues: a 20th-anniversary book, specially prepared for the occasion, containing a photographic portrait and biography of everyone currently working at the firm. It is a keepsake to mark a momentous anniversary, and twenty years of outstanding legal service to this great nation of immigrants. That’s a lot to to celebrate!
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