Kimball puts focus on others

Listen to this article

Lorrie Kimball views herself as an expert organizer – a trait that comes in handy as she serves as a legal secretary to four attorneys at Quarles & Brady in Milwaukee.

“I do the typing, filing and basically keep the attorneys organized so they can do their job,” she said.

When she first started as a legal secretary at Quarles & Brady 30 years ago, she had one typewriter and worked for a single attorney. Computers and cell phones have made it easier to work with more than one attorney at a time, Kimball said.

“The cellphone and technology now available makes it so much easier to stay connected to the attorneys,” she said. “I can see their calendars, emails and their contacts so I’m able to be a lot more effective. The trick now is to balance the different attorneys and their various workloads.”

Arthur (Tony) Vogel, a partner at Quarles & Brady, called Kimball his “right hand” and praised her efforts to keep him organized. He recalled how health concerns twice kept him out of the office for long stretches of time. Kimball readily helped other attorneys with picking up his workload and responding to clients.

“She has had my back professionally more times than I can count,” Vogel said. “Before the age of at-your-tips technology, Lorrie would read me my emails over the phone when I traveled and send out replies consistent with my direction. Her dedication to me and the firm is truly remarkable.”

Kimball said she enjoys her work, especially the interaction with her co-workers.

“I really love the atmosphere of a law office,” said Kimball, who took her first job in a law office after high school. She later attended Milwaukee Area Technical College and took classes to help her become a legal secretary. “I love the comradery among the secretaries, as well as working with the attorneys.”

Sue Jahn, Quarles’ secretarial support services supervisor, said Kimball is well-known in the office for her clean desk and the priority she sets on being accurate and efficient in her work. Jahn said some may think Kimball’s not busy because her desk is clean, but “that’s not the case. Her organizational skills are extraordinary. She’s unselfish in helping wherever it’s needed and lets me know when she can take on more, and nothing is beneath her.”

Ever humble, Kimball said she’s just doing her job.

“I’m here to help others out so we can meet clients’ needs,” she said. “I just really enjoy my work and what I do.”