August 20, 2024
Bill Stock founded Klasko Immigration Law Partners (KILP) with Ron Klasko 20 years ago and has been an essential part of its operations and culture from the very beginning. As the firm’s current Managing Partner, he makes sure everyone has the support they need to keep operations running like a well-oiled machine. Bill can be seen around the Philadelphia office with a warm smile, friendly words, and helpful guidance to staff. He’s also built an outstanding reputation as an industry-leading immigration attorney. Read below to learn more about Bill Stock!
- What is your current role?
As Managing Partner, my job is to make sure that our attorneys, paralegals and staff have the resources they need to help our clients succeed. Day to day, that can involve a lot of reports and meetings, but I also make sure how we do our work reflects our values and builds our culture as a firm. We need to give our clients timely guidance, excellent legal work, and empathetic counsel as they go through the immigration process. We also need to support each other, work collegially, and express how much we value the contributions of each person at the firm as we go about our daily roles. - How has your job changed over the years?
In the early days, as a partner and a founder, I would have to pitch in and do whatever was needed to make sure people could get their jobs done and our clients got the help they need. From technology troubleshooting and drafting cases to making sure someone had reordered printer paper and the last FedEx package had gotten picked up, as a smaller group we all had to do a bit of everything. As the firm grew and quadrupled in size, we were able to formalize roles, and give others in the firm the chance to lead teams. Our clients’ needs have grown, as well, so that we needed to develop more leaders within the firm. I now spend much of my time building and leading teams, improving our internal practices, and balancing our clients’ needs with our staff’s needs, while ensuring that the firm’s values and culture are carried forward. I have been fortunate as the firm has grown to have been able to collaborate in that work with others within the firm and to give them the opportunity to lead and grow in their roles. - What is your favorite memory from your early days at the firm?
In the early days of the firm, we held a breakfast for everyone where the partners put on chef’s hats and aprons to serve everyone. It was great to be able to be a little silly but also show our appreciation to each staff person for the contributions they make to the firm. As we’ve grown, being able to show that appreciation through monthly and annual employee recognition awards has been an important part of who we are as a firm. - What do you value most about working at KILP?
There is a culture of caring for our clients and each other that is the best part of working at the firm. We have demanding and high stress roles, and our client’s frustrations with their immigration challenges are sometimes directed at us. But we support our clients through their challenges, and we support each other whenever it’s needed. - What has been one of the more challenging times?
In September of 2020, the government announced that a very large number of green card applicants would be able to submit their adjustment of status applications – the final step of a long-delayed green card process. There were hundreds of clients and their families impacted, and initially only six weeks to prepare the applications for everyone affected. It was all hands on deck and seven days a week work, but the whole firm understood it was a once in a decade opportunity for these clients, and that we had to do whatever it took to get their applications over the finish line. I remember that time both for how stressful it was, but also for how proud I was at the end of it to see how everyone had come together and supported each other and our clients. - Anything else you want to share?
At our most recent onsite event, I looked around the room and said to Ron Klasko “Wow, who would have thought that we’d be here when we started?” The past 20 years have been everything we could have asked for, and even more. I’m excited to see what the next 20 years will bring, and continuing to see our team support each other through whatever challenges we face. Since the pursuit of excellence and mutual respect are part of the DNA of this firm, I think we are well positioned to succeed. I couldn’t be prouder of the people at this firm and the work we do for our clients.
Stay tuned to our 20th Anniversary page for more updates and staff features!
