One year in, Morgan already making a difference

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In her year of service in the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, Nicole Morgan has already managed to make a difference.

Morgan, a legal secretary, has earned a reputation for being the first one to offer help to anyone needing it and never shying away from extra work. Some of her organizational projects have done so much for the office that some attorneys have struggled to find words to express their gratitude.

Not only is Morgan an asset to those she works with, she is a favorite among clients. She has been instrumental in carrying out Racine County’s Pilot CHIPS program.

If she can’t get a hold of clients, Morgan will try to set up meetings with them at the courthouse and offer to help them fill out required paperwork.

“I have always been interested in criminal justice/law, but my passion is to help people,” Morgan said. “Growing up, things were not easy for me. I was fortunate to have people come into my life and help me when I needed it most. This position gives me the chance to see the criminal justice/law side of things, as well as assisting individuals when they are in need.”

As she works to support attorneys, she has proved time and time again that she’s dedicated to the office’s mission.

“She is top notch on talking attorneys off the ledge, drying their tears and shoving them back out the door to do battle for our clients,” said Cary Mertens, regional office administrator for the State Public Defender’s Office. “She has set the rockstar standard (one step above the gold standard) for legal secretaries. I could extol her many, many virtues, but I think you can see why we believe she is an unsung hero who deserves her hit single.”