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Office Administrator of the Year

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//November 15, 2009//

Office Administrator of the Year

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//November 15, 2009//

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Office Administrators – Award Winner

Tracey L. Reams
Office Administrator, Melli Law SC

Back in 1992, Tracey Reams came to Melli Law as a legal assistant. She eventually became the firm’s bookkeeper, then became the firm’s office manager, handling administration, human resources, finances, marketing, IT oversight and facilities.

Even before she came to the Madison law office 17 years ago, Reams was developing the skills she would bring to the firm as a legal secretary at a law firm in Superior. She next moved to
the mayor’s office there where she also worked with the city attorney.

Reams says she has stayed at Melli due to the people. “When I interview applicants, I tell them how great the firm is — the high degree of professionalism, the work ethic and we all get along,” she explains.

She acknowledges that her multi-facetted role comes with some challenges, but that keeps things interesting.

“One of the challenges is what I like the best about my position — wearing a lot of hats and handling all aspects of law firm administration,” Reams says, noting that she also really enjoys the marketing and finance aspects of her job.

When she’s not using her talents at the firm, she shares them with the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators. She’s currently the group’s president-elect.

“The hallmark of a true professional is that they make what they do look easy. In this regard, Tracey Reams is a true professional as well as an unsung hero because she works tirelessly to ensure all of the firm’s administrative operations run so smoothly that no one often notices her hard work. She ensures that all areas of the firm’s administrative operations work together flawlessly by overseeing the firm’s financial operations, IT contractors, and human resources functions, as well as the innumerable day-to-day administrative matters. Finally, and perhaps more important than her professional expertise, is Tracey’s sunny disposition,” write the partners of Melli Law SC.

Office Administrators – Honorees

Janet Bangs
Madison Office Operations Supervisor,
Godfrey & Kahn SC

“In her 15 years with the law firm, Janet has performed exceptionally every aspect of her job. She now is responsible, in essence, for the administration of the entire 50-attorney/90+-employee office. … Often a task is completed or already in progress before an attorney has even thought to ask about it. … Attorneys and staff alike rely on her to make sure the details are taken care of, and Janet doesn’t let us down,” write James A. Friedman and Rochelle H. Klaskin, Godfrey & Kahn SC.

Cynthia Carr
Office Manager/Executive-Legal Assistant,
Habush Habush & Rottier, SC

“This extraordinary legal secretary/assistant has been with our firm for 26 years. She has been my secretary for 21 years. In her other duties, she supervises the Milwaukee support staff. Her calm, caring, and professional demeanor with clients, staff, and others is appreciated by everyone who has dealt with her. She sets the standard for others to emulate,” write Robert L. Habush, Supervising Attorney, Habush Habush & Rottier, SC.

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Tracy L. DePriest
Office Administrator,
Petrie & Stocking SC

“Tracy wears many hats on a daily basis and she wears them well. Tracy skillfully coordinates our firm’s HR matters … IT matters, client trust account, collection matters, insurance matters, vendor relations and marketing, while also pitching in to take shifts at the reception desk and kitchen clean-up duty. … Tracy has exhibited both patience and perseverance as we transform our 114-year-old firm’s organizational culture to a new management model,” writes Laura Petrie, Vice President-Personnel, Petrie & Stocking SC.

Denise Richardson
Office Administrator/Legal Secretary,
Davis & Kuelthau SC

“Denise is the rarest of combinations: talented, versatile, industrious, and exacting only begin to describe her work and her approach to it. She serves as an administrator, a secretary, a paralegal, and a coordinator of legal services, and will do anything from answering phones to researching legal issues for our clients. Yet remarkably, the quality of her work is uncompromised by her versatility,”write Kirk Strang, Managing Attorney-Madison Office, Davis & Kuelthau SC.

Macy Shubak
Legal Department Manager,
TomoTherapy Inc.

“Macy Shubak plays a central role in the functioning of the corporate governance and general legal functions for our company. Without her capable and conscientious work, our legal staff would not be able to function nearly as effectively as we do. Ms. Shubak is willing and capable of taking on a wide range of tasks, from ministerial tasks that are always performed efficiently, completely and without error, to significant substantive projects and ongoing responsibilities requiring sound judgment and creativity,”writes Brenda Furlow, Manager, TomoTherapy.

Terrie Smith
Office Manager,
Bell Gierhart & Moore SC

“Terrie is a tireless, loyal dedicated friend and leader who smiles through the challenges of overseeing the needs of 40 diverse personalities. She lifts spirits, surmounts obstacles, consoles, and, when necessary, brings order and discipline. Terrie is a breast cancer survivor, who recently organized a team which took first place for this year’s Susan G. Komen race for a cure in Madison,” writes Ward Richter, Bell Gierhart & Moore SC

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Candice Strueder
Executive Assistant of Legal Affairs/Office Manager,
The Marcus Corporation

“Candice has worked in The Marcus Corporation’s legal department for 19 years. During that time, she has consistently increased her responsibilities and role in our department. … Candice serves as our office manager and is the main contact person when our clients request legal services. … It would be difficult to imagine serving the needs of our clients without Candice. Her organizational skills and attention to detail make every member of our department look good,” writes Thomas F. Kissinger and the other members of The Marcus Corporation Legal Department.

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