It's in the blood for attorney Leif M. Nissen, a partner with the Archer & Greiner law firm here.

His appreciation for the arts stems back to boyhood when, Nissen remembers, his older brother, Chris, was immersed in oil painting.

Today, Chris is an accomplished landscape artist. And it is Chris's love for the arts that inspired Nissen to lend his legal expertise to the arts community.

Nissen is a member of the board of directors of the Arts and Business Partnership of Southern New Jersey, which is producing Friday's third Annual Business/Arts Summit at the South Jersey Performing Arts Center on the Camden Waterfront.

Nissen's board membership represents the the charitable interests of Archer & Greiner.

"We're in the service business. We not only want to provide quality legal service, but to see that the communities in which we serve are better places to live. The arts are a vital part of our communities," said Nissen.

Several Archer & Greiner attorneys serve as members of other regional arts boards, also offering their expertise for free. These include South Jersey Performing Arts Center, Camden School of Musical Arts, Haddonfield Symphony, Westmont Theater Group, Haddonfield School of the Performing Arts, Markeim Art Center in Haddonfield and Puttin' on the Ritz Inc. in Oaklyn.

Aside from manpower, Archer & Greiner also gives financial support to the arts.

"There's a great need now for private contributions to the arts, now that a lot of public funding is no longer available. Archer & Greiner has stepped up in recognition of that need," Nissen said.

Today, with more than 100 attorneys, the 70-year-old law firm has expanded beyond its hometown - it has four offices in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Nissen envisions the same type of growth for South Jersey arts.

"It's a challenge to get beyond the mentality that you are a South Jersey arts organization. That's one of our goals as the Arts and Business Partnership," he said.

One of Archer & Greiner's oldest arts beneficiaries has been the Markeim center, a nonprofit organization promoting the visual arts through classes, programs and exhibits.

With financial support from Archer & Greiner, the center has increased its student base, roster of teachers and course offerings. In 1995, the center offered 10 courses. Today, it offers 28 in subjects ranging from Chinese painting to "Drawing Just for Teens."