Newman goes above and beyond for Godfrey & Kahn colleagues, clients

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Kelly Newman, billing manager at Godfrey & Kahn, is known by colleagues and clients for going above and beyond to help others.

“I get a lot of emails and phone calls where people will say, ‘I’m not sure who this should go to, but I wanted to start with you,’” Newman said. “I always try to think, ‘Well what if it was me calling?’

I would want somebody to help me.”

Newman joined the firm in 2001 as billing manager. She oversees client billing, timekeeping entries and reporting requests from internal groups and is now working on a big software change.

“Every day is something different, and every day is like five minutes long,” Newman said. “When I hear people rustling around getting their coats, (I think) ‘Where’s everybody going?’ and then I’m like: It’s 5 o’clock!”

She enjoys the variety that comes with being open to taking on new work responsibilities. She said she’s someone who likes to be involved and finds joy in helping other people.

“I want to be a resource for people,” Newman said. “Maybe this isn’t something in my area, but I know the answer, so why don’t I just help them?”

It’s an attitude her supervisors and fellow workers notice and appreciate.

“Whether it’s an important reporting request that comes in after hours or over the weekend, or a significant bill that must go out the door while she happens to be on vacation, Kelly is always ready to support her colleagues,” said Todd Womack, chief financial officer at Godfrey & Kahn and Newman’s direct supervisor.

Looking back on what’s been nearly two decades at the firm, Newman said she feels blessed to work with a group of people she likes in a job that’s allowed her to keep learning and growing.

“I think life is what you make it,” Newman said. “You can choose to do what’s assigned to you or you can think, ‘What else could we do or how can we improve this?’ As long as you continue to grow, I think that’s the most important thing.”