Patty Seberson, Ciresi Conlin LLP

At Minneapolis-based Ciresi Conlin LLP, Patty Seberson has called on her past experience as a software instructor and IT support specialist to thrive in a very different role that employs some of the skills she developed in her IT days: a highly valued position as intake specialist for the firm’s medical malpractice clients.

Before joining the firm in 2022, Seberson had worked for decades in technical support and training, developing a knack for providing assistance and empathy. Her tech support experience included 17 years at Minneapolis-based Robins Kaplan LLP.

While there has been some skill-transfer, helping people who have suffered harm due to medical mistakes is much more urgent and “serious” she noted. Seberson is the first point of contact for potential malpractice clients who contact the firm seeking help.

In many cases, “they have lost loved ones or livelihoods, so you’re offering a listening ear and being empathetic, yet efficient.” While the firm can’t help everyone who calls or emails seeking redress, “it’s not lost on me that I am going to be the [initial] voice of the firm; I do my best to gather information and bring it to the attorneys for review” to decide if the firm should take on a particular case.

As the intake specialist, “I listen to their account of what happened and gather dates and information for the best representation of what happened.”

Even if the firm is unable to help, Seberson does what she can to help bring a positive outcome. “It matters how people’s stories come to a close. I always want them to know that they understood that we tried, even if we can’t help them.”

Seberson enjoys her work at the firm. “I enjoy learning new things and I’ve always found the medical industry intriguing. And this work has opened my eyes in ways I never imagined.”

In nominating her for the award, her colleagues lauded her “exceptional patience, empathy and strong sense of ownership.”