Unsung Heroes – Paralegal

Listen to this article

Paralegal

Ginny Janssen
Paralegal, McCarty Law Firm LLP “I have worked with Ginny for over 23 years in many various aspects of real estate law…. Her knowledge has never ceased to amaze me and many times I felt she could be an attorney herself!… She has always been very prompt in answering even difficult questions… she always makes herself available to serve whatever the need is. Ginny has worked for McCarty for 39 years…. If there was ever a person that deserves this award, Ginny Janssen is that person,” writes Tim Wyngaard, Vice President-Lending at Capital Credit Union.

When Ginny Janssen was a senior in high school, she began working for McCarty Law Firm in Appleton. As she enters her 39th year with the firm, Janssen is pleased with the choice she made so early on.

Why has she stayed so long?

“I guess because I’ve always enjoyed it,” Janssen said. “It’s always been challenging and I really had very nice bosses.”

She came to the firm during high school as a part-time legal secretary. Throughout the years, her role has changed. For the past 20 years, she has served as a paralegal. Her focus is commercial and personal real estate, along with foreclosures.

“What I enjoy most is being able to work on a project without a lot of overseeing on it,” Janssen said.

Throughout her time at the firm, she has seen many changes including the move from typing information on magnetic computer cards and entering them into the system to today’s desktop and laptop computers. She also noted changes in communication through the use of e-mail, which she acknowledges has made turnaround much faster.

In numerous nominations, clients and attorneys praised Janssen for her knowledge of real estate law.

Kim Arndt
Paralegal, Midwest Paralegal Services

“Kim does more than just go the extra mile for Midwest and our clients. She will stay on top of all aspects of a case and make sure that everyone understands where each individual piece of the case is at. Lawyers are at ease because they know that Kim will have the answers to the details they may not. Kim manages multiple projects for multiple cases, and yet does not burn herself out. I cannot say enough about how valuable she is to this company and the legal community here and around the world,” writes Rick Stieghorts, colleague, Midwest Paralegal Services.

Mary Berg
Paralegal, Halling & Cayo, S.C.

“Being a family law paralegal takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of patience. Many clients going through such an emotional time call upon Mary to provide not only legal help but compassion and understanding and many times a shoulder to cry on. We have very often received notes and letters complimenting Mary. She always provides the best of service and gives much, much more than the job requires. She consistently goes out of her way to help not only our clients, but her co-workers in any way she can,” writes Laurie Dey-Canales, Firm Administrator, Halling & Cayo, S.C.

Sara Burg
Paralegal, Kohn Law Firm

“Sara is a vital member of our firm’s success and has become the cornerstone of her department. Employing her excellent paralegal skills, leadership and a strong work ethic, Sara has developed into a strong valuable resource that makes Kohn Law Firm stronger as a result of her contributions…. She has developed the reputation of being the ‘go to’ person when complex problems need to be solved on individual cases. Sara’s paralegal skills and ability to work with and mentor her co-workers has led her to become a leader in her department and earned the respect of our firm,” writes Doug Smyth, Manager in the Firm, Kohn Law Firm.

Colleen M. Burmesch
Paralegal, Ansay OCHD – Office of O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong S.C.

“Colleen Burmesch is one of those rare individuals who gives selflessly of her time and talent to lighten your (and everyone’s) load. Without asking, she will cheerfully ‘drop in’ at the office on a Saturday or Sunday for a mere six or seven hours while you are knee deep in trial preparation. She worries with you, thinking always of the needs of the clients, performing any task to help the cause. First to arrive and last to leave — that’s Colleen,” writes Jean M. Ansay, Attorney, Ansay OCHD – Office of O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong S.C.

Patricia Dean
Senior Paralegal, Heller Ehrman LLP

“Patricia (Trish) is a consummate professional who, on a daily basis, goes above and beyond to keep our cases running smoothly. Although her work is often behind the scenes, her efforts have been, and will continue to be, essential to the success of our Madison office…. She is always organized and prepared, an amazing feat in the fast-track work of complex litigation…. You can count on her to find the needle in the haystack or point you in the right direction for the information that you need…. Trish is an invaluable resource to all of us,” writes Sarah Walkenhorst, Associate Attorney, Heller Ehrman LLP.

Ken Jarvis
Paralegal, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.

“For the past 18 years, Ken has devoted his professional career to serving as Legal Paralegal on the most complex products liability and negligence cases in our Firm’s history involving plaintiffs catastrophically injured hoping for justice. In the Miller Park Big Blue case, Ken managed more than 150,000 documents, 122 depositions including complex discovery. Ken has taught as an instructor, served as mentor to many now excelling as paralegals,” writes Terry K. Tadysak, co-employee, Habush Habush & Rottier S.C.

Lori Lentz
Paralegal, Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, s.c.

“Lori is one of the most talented, professional and dedicated paralegals I have ever worked with. Lori has an eye for detail and offers valuable insight on every case…. Lori will devote time in and out of the office to each project. Last month, she spent an entire weekend with out-of-state vendors to ensure that large exhibits were created and delivered on time for a critical hearing. She is always dependable,” writes Colleen Fielkow, Attorney, Reinhart, Boerner, Van Deuren, s.c.

Michelle Moe
School, Municipal, Labor & Employment Paralegal, Lathrop & Clark LLP

“Michelle has learned the skill of preparing costing spreadsheets for our thriving collective bargaining practice. Michelle’s accuracy and skill has become so well-known that many of the union representatives with whom we work rely on Michelle’s figures and costing documents rather than preparing their own…. Michelle makes herself available at all hours of the day and night to answer questions and run numbers for our attorneys and clients…. Michelle is personable and pleasant to work with,” writes Shana R. Lewis, Supervising Attorney, Lathrop & Clark LLP.

Wendy L. Moeller
Paralegal, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C.

“Wendy has been with us for over 30 years. She works in the Trusts and Estates Department. Wendy is thorough and dedicated to each client task that she takes on.… She is always ready to help anyone with a tax question even if she is tight on time for a deadline. She has always been very conscientious and dedicated to her job. She is liked and admired by her peers. Wendy still makes time in her life to be involved at her church and volunteer for different charities in the area,” write Darlene Haas, Secretary, Whyte Hirschboeck Ducek S.C.and Barbara Bombaci, Friend, (NML).

Pamela G. Orin
Paralegal, Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.

“Pam is one of the very best paralegals I have worked with in my legal career of 26 years. She is highly skilled in managing documents, coordinating virtually all aspects of discovery, meetings, pleadings, and research. She is well respected by everyone at the firm, and sets a high example for all others…. Pam is a true role model for the working mother, and is one of the few that always seems to know where she is most needed and when,” writes James E. Braza, President, Davis & Kuelthau, s.c.

Jeanne M. Proulx
Paralegal, O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong S.C.

“Ms. Proulx is an extremely smart, organized, thorough and devotedly committed paralegal. She will do whatever is needed in working up a case. … She has been to trial with me in numerous major cases, most recently … on the Miller Park construction case which we handled on behalf of … Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, America Ltd…. She managed the depository of over 2.9 million pages of documents and over 200 deposition transcripts…. While there are certainly many excellent paralegals … Ms. Proulx is, without a doubt, at least in my opinion, at the top of the list,” writes Dean P. Laing, Attorney, O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong S.C.

Sue Weber, Susan Nygren, Tracy Berrones, and Mary Achterhof
Paralegals, Quarles & Brady LLP

“Together, Susan Nygren, Susan Weber, Tracy Berrones and Mary Achterhof have more than 100 years of experience working in the Public Finance Industry. Their depth and experience in the field allows us to provide excellent client service that has not gone unnoticed by our clients and competitors…. It takes an extraordinary amount of teamwork and dedication to not only do your job well, but work with a team of co-workers in such a collaborative manner that you are recognized nationally as a leader in your field,” writes Ann Murphy, Milwaukee Office Managing Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP.