Gudel helps in hard times

Listen to this article

When clients of Tracey Wood & Associates are facing a puzzle that seems unsolvable, Joleen Gudel tries to look at the situation from a different perspective.

Gudel, who has worked as a paralegal at the Madison traffic and criminal defense firm since 2010, likes to believe anything is possible. She uses ingenuity, finding solutions for difficult problems.

“A lot of these clients feel like they’re at the worst possible time in their life,” she said. “I like when I can work with the clients and make sure that they’re staying as positive as they possibly can during the situation. I think they all deserve a chance to tell their side.”

Gudel first met Wood while working as a legal secretary at the Legal Assistance to Institutionalized Persons project at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The two crossed paths in various positions, and when Woods landed her first job in legal defense, she invited Gudel to join her. They have been working together on and off for more than 10 years.

Wood said in addition to handling the calendar of one of the busiest criminal law attorneys in the area, Gudel is in charge of the entire office — managing a number of support staff, as well as three attorneys. She also works with clients, researches briefs and generates ideas for motions and defenses. Wood added that she is always available for both legal and emotional support in what is often a stressful job to employees.

Whether she is managing several pressing tasks at the same time or trying not to be mired in the troubling situations she encounters, Gudel’s optimistic attitude comes through in her work and might, in part, help her ease the pressures of a job that can be hectic. These difficulties may also be offset by the cooperation of a supportive staff.

“It’s unique to have such a great group of people that are willing to bend over backward to help someone else out in any position,” she said.

As the firm expands, Gudel foresees being able to share her knowledge with newer staff members. She also recently became a member of the paralegal association in Madison and looks forward to sharing the fruit of her experiences with that organization.