Lawyers Weekly

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Bowditch & Dewey
Burns & Levinson
Casner & Edwards
Dwyer & Collora
EMC
Foley Hoag
Goodwin Procter
Hanify & King
Holland & Knight
Mass. Association of Court Appointed Attorneys
McDermott, Will & Emery
Nixon Peabody
Seyfarth Shaw
Shaevel & Krems
Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen

Marybeth Flynn, Brown, Rudnick, Berlack, Israels
President, Association of Legal Administrators
Boston Chapter

Joe Pollender, Edwards, Angell, Palmer & Dodge
President, Association of Boston Law Librarians

Cindy Quinn, Choate, Hall & Stewart
President, Massachusetts Paralegal Association

Audra Callanan, Hamilton, Brook, Smith & Reynolds
President, Legal Marketing Association New England Chapter

Jennifer Steele, Donovan Hatem
Member, International Legal Technology Association

Deborah Lemmerman, Ropes & Gray
Member, Northeast Human Resources Association

Kristen Shepley, Tofias (results judge)

FIRM ADMINISTRATOR

Roseann Cotoni

Bentley College, Waltham

"Roseann handles the day to day operations of the department with expertise, diligence and exuberance. She also has the rare and innate ability of being able to anticipate needs before they are real. She is a top-notch administrative assistant, but she is also a life coach and a failsafe reminder system. When one considers that she supports not only adjuncts, but more than 45 full-time and part-time faculty members, her energy and dedication become that much more impressive."

Kimberly Forgione

Regan & Spencer, Lowell

"She performs a multitude of tasks from the mundane to the more involved. Despite our small firm atmosphere, she treats her job as important as she would if working for a large firm. Her professionalism both on the telephone and in person are beyond comparison."

Gerlinde Lowe

Bristol County Bar Advocates, New Bedford

"She tirelessly and zealously supports our local and statewide causes with more enthusiasm than some of our members. She lends a sympathetic ear when we need one."

Linda Mangini

McDermott, Will & Emery, Boston

"Linda has kept MWE a stable environment, even during the toughest of times. Her endless dedication to her employees and her genuine caring demeanor bring a positive attitude each and every day. She has always made us feel that we are important and we are a team that will succeed together."

Paul Masuret

Casner & Edwards, Boston

"Paul has worked to ensure a smooth business day and goes out of his way to accommodate clients and counsel alike. He is a wealth of knowledge, a calm, cool and collected administrator who keeps Casner & Edwards from having any kind of 'revolving door' with its employees. Paul is a great teacher, never loses control of his emotions, praises his staff and is always appreciative of anyone who offers an extra hand."

John Medbury

Bowditch & Dewey, Worcester

"I have had Lou Gehrig's disease since 2004, and John Medbury has worked diligently so that I can continue to practice law at Bowditch & Dewey, where I have been for 38 years. John has made arrangements for bathroom facilities, including an electronic door opener, a scooter for me to use in the office, ramps for access, transportation to and from the office when I need it, and a fully integrated home office for when I cannot get to my office downtown. He has foreseen ways to allow me to provide the same level of service to my clients as always."

Elaine T. Mollica

Law Office of Jonathan Young, Braintree

"She is the hub of a fast-spinning wheel. She administers all of our office equipment rentals and contracts, deals with our landlord, provides receptionist and typing services, is a wonderful sounding board, interacts appropriately with clients, attorneys, judges, court personnel and salesmen, never hesitates to stay until a job is done, provides guidance, runs the office bank account and makes a mean cup of coffee."

Christopher O'Sullivan

Gesmer Updegrove, Boston

"Chris' strength is an astute sense of what it takes to make our firm successful, both on the micro level and in broad overview. He is in constant touch with other firm administrators, sharing ideas and learning from their experiences. His vision and ability to build support for and implement that vision have made our firm more productive, more profitable and a great place to work."

Lottie Rutherford

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Inc., Boston

"More often that not, those who contact LCL feel apprehensive, embarrassed or overwhelmed. These feelings dissolve immediately when LCL's phone is answered or its door is opened, as Lottie's characteristic respect and compassion, combined with her quick wit, quickly decrease their distress and provide a sense of having come to the right place. Lottie has consistently helped to further LCL's mission, creating a healthier profession and serving the public. Lottie has done as much as any person to increase the quality of lives of lawyers in Massachusetts and therefore better both the image of and actual quality of lawyering in our state."

Nancy Spolsino

Rodgers, Powers & Schwartz, Boston

"Nancy Spolsino is essential to the operation of our firm. Her patience, fortitude and skill — not to mention good cheer — free the attorneys to concentrate on our professional responsibilities and represent our clients with a minimum demand for attention to operational and administrative matters. She is a large part of the reason for our success."

Sally Stratman

Rubin and Rudman, Boston

"This firm would not exist if it were not for Sally. Her knowledge and contacts provide an endless stream of resources for staff and attorneys alike. In most firms, Sally's position would be divided into at least six separate job descriptions — marketing, IT, HR, accounting, recruitment and auditing. Sally does them all with grace, practicality and humor."

HUMAN RESOURCES PROFESSIONAL

Megan Farias

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Boston

"Megan has a rare ability of having compassion toward our employees needs, yet she is still able to stick by firm policies. Because Megan has the perfect 'HR personality,' people feel comfortable going to her to discuss their issues. Megan is extremely conscientious and has great judgment, and if she doesn't know the answer to someone's question or issue, she will immediately find out the answer and get right back to them."

Joyce Georgakopoulos

Hanify & King, Boston

"Joyce has played a major role in growing and shaping the firm over the past 27 years and has left her fingerprint on everything. She has literally created the firm's corporate culture by fostering an environment of collaboration, cooperation and compassion. She is an invaluable resource, a dedicated employee, a friendly face, a smart, versatile, compassionate woman."

Betsy R. Landry

Mirick, O'Connell, DeMallie & Lougee, Worcester

"Betsy has been instrumental in helping the firm and its employees balance work life with family life, helping develop flexible schedules and a balance between providing high-quality client service and employees' personal lives. Betsy is also a positive role model and mentor to all the employees. Betsy's door is always open, and she is welcoming and genuine in her approach to all; she clearly demonstrates the mission of the firm."

Tabitha LaFarge Ross

Holland & Knight, Boston

"Tabitha has enriched the work environment at Holland & Knight by helping weave community and charity into our professional experience. Tabitha has developed a keen sense of people's abilities, tendencies and sensitivities. She has an aptitude for building and maintaining relationships and instilling confidence in the people with whom she interacts. Tabitha is a leader admired by all at Holland & Knight and by those in the community who know her."

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Matt Berg, Kevin Henry, Joe Hilario, Angela Lee, Jennifer Jones Malouf and Tom St. Pierre (IT department)

Wolf, Greenfield & Sacks, Boston

"Every one of the IT staff is unfailingly helpful and talented, which results in my daily ability to get inordinate amounts of work done with a minimum of technical difficulty. I often work late, and even if I e-mail one of the IT girls or guys at night, they are usually right on top of what I need, even from their homes."

Dennis Boyd

Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston

"He is at times the 'one-man show,' keeping the e-bill system working for CPCS. He has dealt courteously and efficiently with an impossible volume of work and is the best of the best. As a state employee, he has little control over the creation of the 'fires' he must fight, but his dedication and professionalism during the crises of the past years has been amazing."

Susan Jones

Fish & Richardson, Boston

"Susan is by far one of the best team players in our group. She has superb customer-service skills and is always willing to help out users and coworkers. She is someone who is dependable and reliable. She is always willing to help anyone who needs assistance and follows through on all of her projects."

Johnson Lam

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"Besides being incredibly technically proficient, Johnson in unbelievably accommodating. He makes everybody in the office feel like they have their own private IT guy. He always makes you feel like he will give you all the time you need to be sure your computer issues are resolved completely and that you understand what happened and how he addressed the issue. Johnson is always cheerful and never speaks in bits and bytes — he can explain even the most complex issue in clear and understandable terms."

Danielle E. LoPiccolo

Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, Waltham

"This past year, our talented and dedicated IT professional expanded her area of responsibility and expertise in ways she couldn't have imagined previously. When our communications coordinator went on maternity leave, Dani volunteered to put on that hat, and to her great credit, she performed up to her usual exacting standards. Her outstanding technology skills are second only to her unparalleled commitment to teamwork and to the success of our firm."

Joshua Lutz

Goodwin Procter, Boston

"Josh is one of the classic unsung heroes of information technology — working in the datacenter and in the switch closet, behind the scenes at any hour and on any day to keep the firm's systems operating smoothly. Josh's name and face are not well known among the attorneys of our firm, but they should be, as he is a tremendous asset to this organization."

Larry McGrath

Burns & Levinson, Boston

"Larry has been with the firm through many cycles of growth, and has been an integral part of the changes. He serves as a linchpin in a sophisticated and talented IT team. Larry is truly an unsung hero in that his work is critical; he holds things together but is rarely visible when he does his job right, as he always does."

Tom Mulligan

Goulston & Storrs, Boston

"He is consistently going above and beyond the job requirements in order to meet the needs of the users. There is never a 'no' in his responses, but always a 'sure, I will think of something.' He always makes things happen and does so with a smile. Tom is the kind of worker you always want on your team because he will do whatever it takes to ensure that the systems are up and working properly, as well as putting in the time and energy to fix them."

Linda Theriault

Rubin and Rudman, Boston

"Having been a skilled secretary, she always creates tools to make the staff's lives easier. She teaches with infinite patience. In charge of conversions, they are always seamless, incorporating the abilities and concerns of attorneys and staff in their planning and execution. Most of all, she does all this with a wicked sense of humor."

Patty Watson

Hamilton, Brook, Smith, Reynolds, Concord

"Keeping abreast of ever-changing technology is one thing, but re-engineering the cultural role of an entire department after years of precedent is quite another. This is precisely what Patty Watson did for Hamilton, Brook, Smith, Reynolds. Her department is hands-on, collegial, respected and considered a hub of communications, productivity and access. Her achievement is evidenced in the work prompted by the firm's re-brand. Often considered a marketing initiative, it was Patty who shouldered the implementation of a new logo."

LAW LIBRARIAN

Kevin Hall

Bingham McCutchen, Boston

"Kevin moved to the D.C. office when the firm desperately needed a librarian down there. He got the library organized, encouraged the attorneys and paralegals to use the library resources and became the contact point for research. When he needed to leave D.C., he made sure that the librarian who replaced him had a clean slate and good contact with the key players in the D.C. office. He has been personable, efficient and detail-oriented no matter his position or office location."

Allen Rines

Foley Hoag, Boston

"He has served as chief legal researcher for 15 years, and in that capacity he has been a 'secret weapon' for literally an entire generation of attorneys here. Our lawyers know that whatever else may be happening, they can count on Allen's legal research. His calm, knowledgeable presence, his intelligence and expertise in his subject area, and his unfailing good manners and pleasant demeanor are an example for all of us. He makes a difference here."

Lori Tarpinian

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, Boston

"She is a constant leader and an enthusiastic, positive presence for staff and attorneys. There isn't anything she would not do to help anyone."

Carolyn Trask

Day Pitney, Boston

"In her quiet, unassuming and professional fashion, Carolyn attacks each request with energy, enthusiasm and a pro-active 'can-do' attitude. Carolyn's special talents make it possible for us to operate at a high level of efficiency and effectiveness, providing informed counsel and effective advocacy to our clients. She is a joy to work with and a consummate professional."

LEGAL MARKETER

Anna DeLeo

Burns & Levinson, Boston

"Anna has come to play a key role in our marketing department in a relatively short period of time. Taking on more and more responsibility, she has shown initiative and creativity beyond what was expected. Whether she is involved with client events, pro bono activities with inner city schools our firm supports, our scholarship programs or firm events, Anna constantly displays an unbridled enthusiasm, regardless of how many hours it takes her to get the project completed."

Kate Katzenberg

Melick, Porter & Shea, Boston

"Just over a year ago, Kate approached the members of the firm with a proposal to take over the marketing responsibilities. Kate created and became the director of marketing and has likewise excelled at that position. She is the firm cheerleader, an advocate for management, an advocate for the attorneys and support staff, a helping hand, a door that is always open, a shoulder to cry on, a really good friend and an overall wonderful person. Melick is lucky to have her and the firm would not be the same without her."

Joanne McElhenney

Brown, Rudnick, Berlack, Israels, Boston

"As Brown Rudnick's director of business development & marketing, Joanne is part inspiration and part perspiration. She is a natural leader, a strategic genius and one of the hardest-working members of the firm's support staff. Joanne has no 'off' button. She works at a frenetic pace, bringing uncommon logic and vigor to her job. Joanne has reinvented the firm's marketing and business redevelopment programs through a string of successful initiatives."

Natalie Shaw

Foley Hoag, Boston

"When the firm's new marketing and business development department was formed in 2006, Natalie quickly realized that status quo was a thing of the past. Natalie was astute enough to leverage her deep understanding of the inner workings of the firm and its personnel to her advantage. In an industry where market pressures abound, Natalie has committed herself and her career to the legal marketing arena, and every firm should be so lucky to have someone like her on staff."

Maybeth Soverino

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"She runs client events, prepares marketing materials and helps attorneys with presentations to industry groups, among her many activities. She handles last-minute requirements with grace and poise and always delivers."

OPERATIONS PERSONNEL

Abbie Anderson

Goodwin Procter, Boston

"Abbie is an incredible asset to our team and the firm. She is an extremely organized, proactive and professional team player whose behind-the-scenes work is a large component of the success of our programs. Abbie is very proactive in thinking about the details of our various programs and ways to enhance our communication with attorneys about the programs and our delivery of the programs. She multi-tasks extremely well and, despite the incredible amount of tasks she handles each day, ensures that nothing falls through the cracks."

Debra Brown

Burns & Levinson, Boston

"Deb is our accounts payable clerk, and she treats the firm's expenses as though they were her own. She is incredibly hard working and constantly amazes us with her organizational skills and talents. She has an amazing sense of humor and a good dose of common sense, which is refreshing in the legal market."

Marybeth Celorier

Burns & Levinson, Boston

"She has helped us improve our operations, constantly strives to introduce new and more efficient ways to manage, and always guides the attorneys and staff toward the most effective ways to do things. Marybeth has handled the financial challenges of a major merger, converted accounting systems in a way that only minimally affected the end-users, and helped guide us to more efficient and effective fiscal responsibility."

Joanne Chludzinski and Janis Mini

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Boston

"Janis and Joanne do all those things that make the office look so beautiful each and every day. They work extremely hard to make sure all of our employees' and clients' catering needs are met. Janis and Joanne always have smiles on their faces, and there is nothing they will not do for the office and our clients because they both get that we are in the service business, and they strive to give fantastic customer service."

Marie Cummins

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Boston

"Marie has taken charge of our annual cause to help through charity work for quite some time. Marie is also an exemplary employee; she is able to balance her good works as well as her daily tasks at Weil, Gotshal & Manges. Through her efforts, she not only helps others, but she brings us together in harmony, which in turn is a great attribute for us all. She is the heart of the office."

Vinnie Diaz

Seyfarth Shaw, Boston

"What makes him stand out is his initiative. He is the guy who makes sure that all internal office events go off without a hitch and has the mailroom and copy service support to make our deadlines and exceed our clients' expectations. And he does this with a sincere dedication to the success of our office and our firm. Vinnie seems to be everywhere all the time, doing whatever it takes to promote the firm and assist the attorneys and staff."

Norma Gwin

Nutter, McClennen & Fish, Boston

"She is a superb motivator of people, especially her team that admires her work ethic and her desire to see everyone learn more. She motivates everyone to be challenged, to succeed, to think outside of the box and to care about what we do. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and she has taught everyone to take risks to help make the office space stand out."

Kris MacAuslan

Goodwin Procter, Boston

"In the past year, Goodwin Procter decided to launch an alumni program. Without prior experience, Kris was asked to coordinate our efforts to build an alumni website, working with a team of people from across several departments. Kris quickly earned the trust of all team members, immersed herself in the nitty-gritty details and succeeded brilliantly. Each of the leaders of the other departments said they would love to have her work in their departments."

Lee Michael

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"Lee Michael's pleasant and accommodating demeanor is matched only by her extraordinary effectiveness helping attorneys monitor and manage client accounts. Lee has a rare talent for working with people — a skill that is daily put to excellent use working with clients to keep their payment cycle on target. Lee develops a personalized working relationship with every account. She treats each with just the right balance of friendly, client-oriented service and, where necessary, firm insistence to assure best results for the firm."

Liz Ridge

Goodwin Procter, Boston

"Liz continuously goes above and beyond the call of duty to help our team be more efficient and effective. She routinely handles questions with finesse and tact, even when they involve particularly challenging issues or upset individuals. She is an incredible team player and problem solver."

Kevin P. Smith

Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, Waltham

"As our facilities manager and our most senior employee, Kevin has been a critically important part of the firm during his tenure. Quiet, unassuming, totally reliable, Kevin is at the heart of the administrative team, year in and year out. Kevin takes care of all of us, troubleshooting and correcting as he goes. He maintains our library, buys the groceries and supplies, takes care of the physical plant and is the ideal Jack of All Trades and Master of All, too."

Sandra Strate

Robinson & Cole, Boston

"She is the common thread that weaves attorneys and staff together by ensuring that all materials and information leaving the office are appropriate and consistent. She is also the voice behind many internal charitable and firm initiatives. Her bubbly personality is inviting and welcoming, and her efforts to involve all members of the firm enhance the office morale and its team-driven approach."

BeckyJean Thompson

Robinson Donovan, Springfield

"She tackled an enormous 'spring cleaning' in late winter, and by the middle of spring had over 20,000 files and boxes offloaded to a secure storage facility, having designed an efficient and cost-effective offsite storage and retrieval system. While not typically the type of project that is widely recognized, we all know that it is absolutely key to the smooth operation of any law firm."

Karen Walker

Rubin and Rudman, Boston

"As billing and payroll clerk for years, and now accounting manager, Karen serves her 'clients' — the staff and attorneys of the firm — with unfailing kindness, patience, efficiency and accuracy. Every question posed to her is answered with respect and empathy. She is an extraordinary coworker and, truly, an unsung hero."

PARALEGAL

Kathy Aberizk

Seder & Chandler, Worcester

"Over the last year there have been several weeks and months that I have been ill and incapacitated. Without instruction from me, Kathy has taken over the communications between me from my hospital bed and many of our clients. Kathy effectively and individually maintained the flow of business for me during my almost full year of incapacity, not only for her concern of the quality of office production, but also because of her genuine concern for the care and respect that she felt our clientele deserved."

M. Ruth Ballantyne

EMC Corp., Hopkinton

"Ruth is the ultimate cheerleader of our department. Not only is she an exceptional IP paralegal with an awesome workload, but she remembers everyone's birthday and is the driving force that coordinates those celebrations. She is always so positive and has a laugh that is contagious. You can always count on her to lift your spirits, while never missing a beat with her demanding paralegal duties."

Mary Coleman

Day Pitney, Boston

"Mary comes to work everyday and makes the office brighter with her ever-present positive attitude, strong work ethic, intelligence and kindness. She also has the unique ability to wear two work hats — she is first and foremost an outstanding estate paralegal, but also doubles as an excellent tax accountant during our hectic tax season. She often works with elderly clients and often goes out of her way to visit and either help them out with a general service or hand deliver and help them sign documents."

Tracy Dillon

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., Quincy

"Tracy is always willing to lend a hand. She is quick to flag issues relating to a case and will do whatever it takes to find answers to whatever questions outside counsel has. She is a pleasure to work for."

Beth Ellis

Oppenheim & Cole, Halifax

"She attends every initial client meeting in order to have an understanding of the clients' needs. She is as familiar with MassHealth and Social Security regulations as many attorneys. On top of maintaining her caseload, she is responsible for all accounting and management of the firm and assists with event and seminar planning. She maintains warm and professional relationships with the firm's clients, vendors and referral sources."

Linda M. Farina

Clements Pajak, Newton

"Linda has pitched in on matters from learning legal assistant work, to marketing, to web design and update. She encourages others on the staff and the attorneys, always ready, willing and able to brainstorm, teach, rally and comfort. Our firm would not be the warm, wonderful place it is to work in and take care of clients in if Linda were not here. She has an amazing ability to understand the totality of the job and great enthusiasm to get it done as quickly, efficiently and polished as possible."

Brian Fitzpatrick

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"Brian's legal expertise is so highly valued by his colleagues at Nixon Peabody and our clients that he is an indispensable member of teams assembled to brainstorm particularly thorny issues. Working closely with clients and our attorneys, Brian has developed considerable expertise and experience in the complicated areas of securities, partnership and tax law. He has helped structure transactions and develop documents on deals worth billions of dollars and very often works directly 'across the table' from senior partners at major law firms."

Kevin Kam

WolfBlock, Boston

"Kevin was instrumental to our recent success in obtaining a $101.7 million judgment against the Department of Justice in Limone v. The United States. He prepared the electronic exhibits for presentation, the paper exhibits for use in the courtroom, the exhibit lists, the hook-up of our laptops in the courtroom for realtime reporting, and labored well into the evening and early morning hours preparing pleadings and attachments for electronic filing. He has a 'can-do' attitude and an extremely good nature. Kevin is truly a one-man wonder."

Olivia Krasinskas

Massachusetts Justice Project, Worcester

"Attorneys are rarely at a loss for words, but there is truly no way to fully describe Olivia's dedication to our program or commitment to her clients. Never once have I seen Olivia frown, lose her composure or be unwilling to assist in any needed task."

Jennifer Lavery

Law Office of Patricia Michaels Hamilton, Boston

"I recently took a two-week vacation. In my absence, Jennifer ran the office, including taking the initiative to intake new clients as well as responding appropriately to any incoming emergencies with existing clients. I never felt better about leaving the office. Upon my return, several clients made a point of telling me what a great job Jen did. Jennifer has it all — a great personality, a good work ethic and, most of all, common sense."

Sarah Leonard

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Boston

"Sarah has played a vital role in the success of the litigation department. She tackles major projects with zeal and works tirelessly to meet deadlines. She is responsible, thorough and dependable. She treats each case as if it is the most important case she has been assigned. Sarah has exceeded our expectations."

Beth F. Marino

Triffletti & Costa, Plymouth

"She does not hesitate to help someone out who is in need. She is very loving and cares for people personally. Beth wants nothing more than for those around her to thrive. She is a great wealth of knowledge and is always happy to impart that on someone else."

Theresa McInerney

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston

"Since being promoted to a paralegal in the in-house law department, Theresa McInerney has worked tirelessly to increase her knowledge and skills to become a critical member of the legal team. Now her colleagues look to her for guidance on how to professionally handle various situations, and she readily takes the time to provide counsel. Theresa exemplifies first-class customer service."

Kathy Nagle

Shaevel & Krems, Boston

"Kathy has an incredible work ethic and is the type who will 'go through a wall' for you. This year, Kathy did the work of two attorneys and a paralegal for about three months, while simultaneously working as office manager and assistant to the firm's financial officer. She did this without much fanfare and without complaining about the circumstances she was thrust into. Kathy's work ethic and ability to balance tasks is matched only by her selflessness and kindness to those in need."

Dianne E. Ricardo

Adler, Pollock & Sheehan, Boston

"She now maintains a full caseload, helps manage and train two more litigation paralegals and attends the night division at New England School of Law. She has inspired everyone in our office to strive to be better professionally and personally. Dianne is crucial to the office not just for her incredible work ethic, but also for her positive attitude and ability to work with anyone, under any conditions."

Sara Streeter

Casner & Edwards, Boston

"Sara is an outstanding paralegal who will do anything and everything needed to see a case to completion. Her dedication to her job is beyond comparison. During maternity leave, she had documents delivered to her house to help respond to discovery requests or get a case ready for trial. Her spirit, energy and wit make her a delight to work with. She is admired by coworkers, colleagues and even opposing counsel."

Michael Swiatocha

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"Mike is always a true professional and is extremely responsive to attorney and client demands. He ensures that he is always accessible, even when he is out of the office or on vacation. He often takes the time to go the extra mile to help attorneys or clients, even when the task at hand might not be squarely within his job description. He consistently excels at the job of managing large amounts of electronic or hard-copy litigation documents and does so with the attention to detail and responsiveness that is appreciated by attorneys and clients alike."

RECEPTIONIST

Faith Calabrese

Norfolk County District Attorney's Office, Canton

"By filling the moments between incoming calls with constructive conversations that benefit others, she helps others return to their tasks with their burdens shared and, thereby, halved. Fay's demeanor and contributions are keys to maintaining a warm atmosphere in an office whose daily stock-in-trade is tragedy and life and death. She does an exceptional job discerning which matters are urgent and treating them appropriately, and she rivals many detectives with her uncanny ability to locate office employees in record time."

Michelle Calabro

Bartlett, Hackett, Feinberg, Boston

"She is a very dedicated professional who takes her work seriously and does it well. She has provided the firm with continuity in a very important position, which requires her to deal with our clients and others and to be the face and voice of the firm. We feel fortunate to have her as an important part of our team."

Kathleen "Kay" Coughlin

Mackie, Shea, O'Brien, Boston

"Kay is a receptionist extraordinaire. When a legal secretary retired last year, Kay took on secretarial duties and has performed them remarkably well. Her ability and willingness to take on new tasks has allowed our firm administrator to focus on larger projects and has allowed the attorneys to focus on practicing law, knowing that our support staff is giving 110 percent."

Beverly Hanly

Jager Smith, Boston

"She fields telephone calls deftly, knowing when to track us down outside the office on time-sensitive issues, and she manages to charm the curmudgeonliest of opposing counsel. In these days of increasing reliance on automated phone systems, Beverly Hanly is a true example of how a person, rather than a machine, can make a true difference when having contact with a business — in this case, a law firm."

Karen Jellison

McCarter & English, Boston

"I have been going to McCarter & English (formerly Gadsby Hannah) for nearly 10 years as their Westlaw account manager. Without exception, Karen has always warmly greeted me and made me feel welcome at the firm. She has helped me in many ways when I visit the firm, from locating people I need to see, to making sure food and beverages for presentations get to the right place. I always look forward to going to the firm because I know I will see Karen."

Jean MacNeill

Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, Boston

"For the past 13 years, SRBC has been extremely fortunate and proud to have Jean MacNeill as its first line of contact. Jean has all the qualities of an outstanding receptionist — she is friendly, professional, courteous, knowledgeable, helpful and calm. But even more important, she is extremely insightful and can handle the most difficult situations and people with grace and style — and always with a smile."

Heather Mullins

Board of Bar Overseers, Boston

"As a complaint board and prosecutor of attorney misconduct, our office deals frequently with callers and visitors who are unhappy. Heather has an amazing way of treating everyone equally, no matter what their role or demeanor, with respect, understanding and patience, and has been doing so, to the admiration of our staff and others, for 15 years. Staff members, as well as board members, messengers, lawyers and anyone who knows Heather, look forward to seeing/speaking with her. People who do not know her are comforted by her understanding, patience and professionalism."

Carla Odom

Looney & Grossman, Boston

"What Carla possesses that makes her stand head and shoulders above others is her commitment to providing the best customer service every minute of every day. She answers all calls with a confident and professional image and actively listens to each caller. She recognizes clients, family members and vendors. She directs calls with a smile, employing a courteous screening technique that does not annoy callers. She has excellent organizational skills, is detail-oriented and is able to multi-task."

Lorraine O'Keefe

Bove & Langa, Boston

"Lorraine's commitment to the firm is heartfelt and equally impressive. She arrives early and refuses to leave until she feels her work for the day is done. She volunteers to take on tasks that may be unpleasant because she knows it will make the workday easier for her colleagues. In an estate planning firm, client relationships are important, and Lorraine is an invaluable asset in that respect."

Judith Santeusanio

Nutter, McClennen & Fish, Boston

"There are three 'P's' that come quickly to mind when thinking of Judy — poised, polished and professional. It can be a little intimidating for some coming to a large law firm, and the anxiety can often be seen on faces. Judy has an uncanny ability to sense this and goes out of her way to make people feel comfortable. Judy leaves you with a positive and lasting impression not only of herself, but of our firm."

Joanne Winters

Ropes & Gray, Boston

"Joanne has never been anything less than the example of true professionalism and respect for her peers."

Lindsey Yankun

Casner & Edwards, Boston

"Lindsey Yankun is one of the best things to happen to our firm in a long time. Her title of receptionist does not fully describe the important role she plays. Lindsey goes far above the required level of helpfulness with our clients. What truly makes Lindsey an unsung hero are all of the 'above and beyond' duties she does without being asked. She took it upon herself to organize and maintain the firm's marketing material and created a manual for new hires that contained a picture and practice description of all the lawyers."

SECRETARY

Cheryl Audunson,Marie Fahey, Jill Haney, Barbara Hartwell, Maureen Howard, Diane Ingersoll, Patricia Lehan, Shannon McCarthy, Joanne Nichols, Tina Notarangelo, Eileen O'Toole, Jackie Perkins, Anita Perry, Emily Perry, Marion Priest, Patti Roworth, Kathy Tringo, Christine Weiss and Sharon Wentzell (legal administrative assistant staff)

Day Pitney, Boston

"In the wake of a merger on Jan. 1, they have weathered the varied and many changes that come with the integration of two firms. They have been the glue, as well as the grace and good humor, which have kept things together. By going above and beyond in their efforts to help each other, the lawyers and staff they support, and, most importantly, to deliver the kind of stellar service our clients deserve and expect, they encourage each other and us all. They have demonstrated the kind of patience, care for others, teamwork, dedication, integrity and an unselfish, unwavering commitment that are the hallmarks of internal corporate citizenship."

Cheryl Bartolone

Seyfarth Shaw, Boston

"Cheryl works tirelessly to assist the attorneys she works for. Cheryl routinely works overtime to ensure that all of the attorneys' needs have been met. She has also created fabulous filing systems for her attorneys. She provides a friendly demeanor on a daily basis that makes a potentially stressful environment a pleasure to work in."

Terry Buckley, Dawn Ramasci, Cindy Sisum, Pat Strachan and Yuvonnie Williams (evening staff)

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Boston

"Visitors to our office often comment on how professional and helpful our staff are, something of which we are all very proud. The members of our evening staff personify this professionalism in so many ways. They have been instrumental in the development of many of our young (and not so young) lawyers. In many ways, they set the tone for the office. They are extraordinarily patient, never get rattled and are always able to find a pragmatic solution to any problem."

Holly Cruise

Melick, Porter & Shea, Boston

"She is a truly caring and wonderful individual who also happens to excel at her job. She does every task with a smile. She understands that the job she does reflects on the attorneys she works with, and she takes pride in making them look good. She deserves an award for the great job she does and the smile she puts on everyone's face everyday."

Kirsten Davis

Casner & Edwards, Boston

"Her work is always of the highest quality. She handles clients extremely well. When given an assignment that is outside her normal set of tasks, she does not run away from the assignment. Rather, she welcomes the challenge of trying something she has not done before. She has been a valuable addition to the firm."

Lena Deaibes

Burns & Levinson, Boston

"She is always willing to help out, often volunteers and goes out of her way to make sure that everyone is taken care of. Lena has, in many ways, become the spirit of the firm. She helped organize and coordinate a recent firm outing, planning and coordinating activities for the many family members, particularly children, who attended, making everyone feel welcome and part of the firm."

Katie Ford

A.A. Dority Co., Boston

"Katie is really more than just a secretary. She is a real assistant that helps get the job done. She is extremely bright, energetic and a fast learner. Katie is very willing to take on new tasks and gets her work done very quickly, often asking: 'Is there anything you need me to do?' She hates being idle. Katie is by far the best support person we've had."

Rosemary McMullin

Nixon Peabody, Boston

"Everyone should be so lucky to have an assistant as good as Rose. We started working together over three years ago, and at the time she had never worked with an intellectual property attorney. She has learned to put together clearance letters, read search reports, read U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reports, create due diligence charts, create pleadings binders for opposition and cancellation proceedings, work on client intranets, organize redwelds, organize evidence to support proceedings, deal with foreign agent invoices, revise reporting letters, review docket reports and much more."

Sharon Palinsky

Mirick O'Connell, Worcester

"As the secretarial supervisor for Mirick's labor and employment law department, she not only provides administrative support to a partner in the department, but also is a mentor, trainer and role model for the other administrative assistants on the team. The partner with whom Sharon works has commented that he is fortunate to have her as his assistant and describes her as irreplaceable and indispensable."

Joanne Penta

Seyfarth Shaw, Boston

"Joanne works for a managing partner who not only has responsibility for the Boston office, but is on the firm's executive committee and leads a majority firm initiative. The managing partner would not be able to be nearly as effective if Joanne did not provide her with the support she does. She provides unflagging support and brings both extraordinary intelligence, common sense and good judgment to a job that places her in the middle of an incredibly busy and varied practice."

Virginia Robertson

Rubin and Rudman, Boston

"Ginny manages us. There's no other way to say it. She juggles the complexities of two very different law practices for two very different lawyers and all of their associated work. She is not just our secretary, she's our paralegal, our accounts representative, our biggest marketing promoter, and a confidant and good friend."

Eileen K. Rosnick

Law Office of Stuart I. Rosnick, Salem

"In 1973, Eileen said she would give me two years to get my law practice going. She is still my wife and secretary. I am not easy to work for or with, yet she has endured. I have had some medical issues and essentially did not work for two years from 1994 to 1996. As my wife, she nurtured me. As my secretary, she held my law office together. She sacrificed her dreams and any career of her own. Although prejudiced, I cannot think of a worthier unsung hero."

Tracy D. Skahan

Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, Waltham

"Tracy's duties run the gamut from supervising the squad of part-time college students who form the backbone of our administrative staff to drafting audit letters. However, this year Tracy did the impossible and took on the duties and responsibilities of several other employees for a protracted period while continuing to demonstrate excellence in her own work. She did all these things with a smile on her face and an unflappable demeanor, and she absolutely delivered the goods."

Teresa Sullivan

Segal, Roitman & Coleman, Boston

"Without complaining, Teresa goes the extra mile to support the demands of staff and the needs of clients. She is tireless in her assistance to those we represent and limitless in her devotion to our mission."

Betty Williamson

McDermott, Will & Emery, Boston

"She continues to play an integral role in the success of our labor & employment practice and is the glue that binds us together. She is a valuable mentor to the associates in our group, as well as our summer associates. We try to assign first-year associates to work with Betty because of the guidance she is able to give them. She brings a wealth of substantive knowledge of our work, our clients and our firm, which makes her one of our most valuable human resources."

Christine Yancey

Goodwin Procter, Boston

"We recently opened offices in California, and Christine was among the first volunteers to assist in this effort. Christine has made multiple trips to our California offices and has received rave reviews on the assistance she has provided. She was a true utility player, pitching in on setting the offices up, training new secretaries and providing attorneys with secretarial assistance. Christine is a master at taking the stress out of the day."