Twenty Years And Counting!

Normally, I blog about current events or about how we can help consumers can get real relief from financial pressures under the law. In today’s post, I digress to recognize one of our own. Recently, we celebrated the twenty year anniversary of our friend and trusted employee, Leann Wilkinson. Where has the time gone?

Her official title is Office Manager. But that doesn’t even begin to tell the story of what she does on a daily basis. We could realistically change her official title to something like Office Manager Paralegal Executive Assistant Go To Get Things Done Person. But, that wouldn’t fit so easily on her door or a business card! Leann serves our firm in many ways. For example, she helps me in the day to day administration of the firm’s business by helping with paying the bills, balancing the accounts, and keeping track of office finances and other crucial business statistics. As if that weren’t a full time job in and of itself, she also functions as a paralegal by typing and filing pleadings and legal documents and taking calls from our clients. She’s never too busy to help a client or any of us. She is instrumental in keeping the flow of our legal work moving smoothly and efficiently. She makes helpful suggestions and always looks for ways that we can do what we do better and more effectively. She cares deeply about the clients we serve and this care is evident in all that she does for them and for us.

Leann and I have worked together for so long now, we can often finish each other’s sentences. We still often have a good laugh when this happens. As one of the attorneys in a busy office, I have come to rely on Leann’s capable assistance. She is a person of impeccable integrity. And while she is a very trustworthy and valuable employee she is, most importantly, my good friend. Leann always has a smile on her face for all of us and she never complains about whatever we’re doing (or needing to do) on a daily basis. When the challenges come (and they come with regularity), Leann is rolling up her sleeves and working to positively overcome these challenges. She’s quick to praise others and slow to take a complement for all she does. As an employer, Leann is the kind of employee that many employers only dream about and we are so completely fortunate to have her with us.

So often it is the lawyers in a firm that get all the praise and credit for successfully representing a client and a job well done. But the truth is that we lawyers couldn’t accomplish half of what we do without being blessed with people like Leann. Because of Leann’s dedication, knowledge, and skills, our clients’ legal business is handled with increasing effectiveness and efficiency. Over these past twenty years, it is impossible to know just how many families and individuals have been blessed to have crossed Leann’s path. So, here’s to you Leann! These first twenty years have passed us so quickly. We look forward to the next twenty! We love you and thank you for all you do!