Phillips Murrah’s rowing teams, “Law & Oarder,” are on the home stretch as they prepare for their second annual corporate regatta.
This summer’s race will be held during the Stars & Stripes River Festival June 27th at the OKC Boathouse District. Corporate racing begins at 5 p.m.
Below is a brief interview with Melissa Gardner, co-captain and organizer of the Phillips Murrah corporate rowing program. Melissa is also an attorney in the Energy & Natural Resources practice group.
Q: How long has Phillips Murrah been participating in this?
2014 trophy and medal
A: We started in the Fall 2014 season, so this is our second season.
Q: What was the first race like?
A: It was our first race and because of two more experienced rowers, we were actually thrown into a category higher than our overall experience level. It was an exciting environment because around 50 of our co-workers and friends had joined us and were so enthusiastic that we could hear them cheering from the starting line. I think our speed and agility surprised even those people in the boat. It’s crazy how much faster you row in an actual race. Our co-workers were shocked that we beat our next competitor by three boat lengths! In fact, when we got off the water, I got a lot of comments like “wow, you guys really do know how to row.” It’s impressive what you can learn in one season of rowing together.
The 2015 PM crew gets ready for practice.
Q: In your estimation, how has it helped our corporate culture here at the firm. One thing I noticed is that it is a great way to get attorneys and staff together into a cool team environment.
A: Yes, I agree that it’s helped blend attorneys and staff, but I will say that I think the best part was the race. And the turn-out we had and the opportunity for all of the firm to join in a community-centric event and cheer on our own. It joined everyone in a team, even those not rowing.
Q: What other teams compete in this? I assume there’s more levels than just novice, right?
A: Yes, a variety of categories: all men; all women; co-ed (4 of each); and open (at least 1 woman). And landlubber (first year); novice; intermediate; and experienced. There are many corporations that I know participate…Devon, Chesapeake, MidFirst, St. Anthony’s, Mercy, OU Med Science, and lots of others I don’t know about.
