Striden is a national facilities and hospitality management company headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Over the past eight years, it has been redefining the workplace experience for its clients by managing a broad range of on-site support services. The executive team has more than 25 years of experience serving the legal industry, providing tailored, innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs for law firms.

Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox is one of the world’s leading intellectual property law firms, specializing in the full range of IP services globally. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm has more than 400 dedicated professionals, including attorneys and staff, committed to delivering exceptional service to clients and nurturing a supportive and inclusive work environment for all.

The Initial Challenge

Hiring and retaining talent is a significant challenge for many organizations. Shifts in employee expectations, changing work environments, and increased competition for skilled professionals can make it difficult to fill critical roles. Law firms, in particular, face unique pressure to maintain high standards of service and support while adapting to these changing workplace dynamics.

Sterne Kessler initially engaged with Striden to help address an open hospitality assistant role that remained vacant despite the best efforts of the firm’s previous service provider. The Striden team stepped in with a tailored recruiting approach, leveraging their expertise in delivering exceptional client service and hospitality solutions. Striden resolved Sterne Kessler’s immediate need in the short term but also demonstrated an understanding of the firm’s long-term workplace goals. Focusing on enhancing workplace culture and operational efficiency, Striden introduced industry best practices, overall account management, and metrics and reporting that give Sterne Kessler unique insights into an ever-evolving workplace.

Current Workplace Solutions

Today, Striden manages a seven-person workplace experience team at Sterne Kessler that handles:

• Hospitality and catering
• Meetings and events
• Reception desk
• Shipping and receiving/mail and packages
• Office supplies and print requests

All operations are designed specifically for Sterne Kessler. The skillset required for the hospitality and catering team is tailored to meet the demands and expectations of the firm, and a unique reporting structure allows the hospitality and office services staff to be supervised by the appropriate department leads.

A Successful Collaboration

With an emphasis on client service, Striden meets with the Sterne Kessler team weekly to discuss current and future office needs. The team is proactively managed, following standard operating procedures that are put in place to ensure that the team anticipates the needs of the firm and stays on track to meet operational goals. Rob Burger, chief operating officer for Sterne Kessler remarks, “Striden’s tailored approach to recruiting and retention as well as their innovative technology solutions have not only addressed our immediate challenges but have set a strong foundation for our long-term success. By aligning seamlessly with our goals and introducing operational best practices, Striden has elevated our ability to deliver exceptional service at the firm.”

Sterne Kessler’s Manager of Hospitality Services, Johanna DeLony shares that “Striden has been invaluable in ensuring our staffing needs are met. Their staff integrates seamlessly into our environment, and we have the certainty of a well-trained, reliable team that allows us to focus on providing high-quality service to our attorneys, staff, and guests.”

Striden has also introduced its proprietary and customizable technology platform, 1Trackit, to the firm. The platform measures and manages all aspects of the operation and provides more insight to Sterne Kessler’s stakeholders on needs and resources at any given time. For more information on 1Trackit, visit https://www.striden.com/technology/.

Striden prides itself on recruiting the best talent in the industry with an approach that goes beyond industry standards—it invests in its employees’ success by providing superior benefits packages that include healthcare, retirement plans, and paid maternity/paternity leave.