Community, growth and so much more

From left: Laurie A. Greenberg, Stacy Locsin, Jeff Downes

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The Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) is the premier organization for legal management professionals. For more than 50 years, ALA has provided education, networking, and resources to help us meet the needs of our law firms and the teams of attorneys whom we support. The stories below were shared by some of our most dedicated ALA Minnesota Chapter (ALAMN) members.

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Learning is a lifelong endeavor.  At a young age, we are encouraged to join sports teams and participate in-group activities to help us become more confident through social support and encouragement.  As we grow in our professional career, these same principles can be applied to foster community building and collaborative learning.

As a long-time member of the legal support community, I credit ALAMN for helping me to become a better professional, supervisor and co-worker within my law firm.  It is difficult to summarize in a few words the many benefits that my association with ALAMN has provided over the last 15 years.  ALAMN provides countless opportunities to gain and enhance skills that are essential for career success.

One of the most gratifying experiences I have had at ALAMN is serving on and co-chairing the Community Service Committee.  Working alongside a deeply caring and compassionate group of law firm peers and business partners has deepened my reach within my community and has allowed me to support important social initiatives and to make a difference in the lives of those in my community.

I also have the privilege of co-chairing the Salary Survey Committee.  The purpose of this committee is to produce an annual survey to collect data on salaries and benefits paid to employees in private law firms, corporate law departments, and governmental legal departments in Minnesota. The survey assists members in administering salaries and benefits within their organizations and is widely considered to be one of the most valuable benefits of being an ALAMN member.  Working alongside other HR professionals and law firm administrators has exposed me to a variety of different ideas and perspectives and has helped to broaden my knowledge and skills which I continue to apply every day in my own job.

ALAMN has played an important role in my personal growth and professional growth and success and I am grateful to be part of this great organization!

– Laurie A. Greenberg, SPHR is Human Resources Manager at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

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You know the saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”?  When I think about the benefits of membership and participation in ALAMN, that’s the phrase that presents most significantly.

I joined ALAMN in 2015 at the suggestion of my predecessor. I had just accepted a role in legal management after working in the corporate world for many years prior.  She encouraged me to join as a means of expediting my integration back “into the fold” of the legal community after being out of it for a lengthy time.  What I thought was going to be a group of legal professionals gathering for education and brainstorming turned into so much more.

Through my membership and participation in ALAMN I developed relationships with a wide range of incredible law firm professionals. Those professionals became a support system during times of stress and strain in the workplace; where often it’s not answers you seek, but an ear to listen, an audience to bounce an idea off, and a positive word or a boost of encouragement.  This has never been truer than during the last years of work in the volatile world of COVID.

When I made the decision in late 2021 to make a professional move, it was my ALAMN peers and business partners that kept me in mind for new opportunities and sent along words of encouragement.  That support and the consistent communications through email, text, LinkedIn, etc. are the reason I landed where I am today.  My network of peers and partners have become incredibly valuable to me professionally and personally.  Time and again I witness the ALAMN community helping each other out in the best ways possible – advice and insights you won’t find in a textbook or a google search – rather, through real-time wisdom, expertise, and inspiration.

While membership in ALAMN has expanded my knowledge through education and information, the real return on my investment has been the relationships!

There is truth in the belief that you get what you give.  I pushed myself to actively engage in ALAMN by attending meetings, volunteering for events, and co-chairing a committee.  I became comfortable within this group of smart, long-standing members and business partners.  By doing so, I was exposed to a diversity of peers that offered advice, wisdom, and support.  I encourage each of you to do the same.  It’s paid me back in dividends!

– Stacy Locsin is Director of Human Resources at Fish & Richardson P.C.

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My involvement with ALAMN goes back to the last century (early 1990’s). As a newbie in the legal administration market, I found ALAMN to be very valuable in assisting me get my feet on the ground. As a member of the Small/Medium Size Law Firm group I had access to others involved with the same duties and responsibilities as my new job. Not only was I provided excellent support and suggestions on how to succeed in this field, but I also gained a fantastic network of new peers and friends. ALAMN provides educational opportunities, valuable relationships with vendors, and access to a larger network through the National Association of Legal Administrators.

ALAMN’s variety of special interest groups allow the association to be open to those specialized in other areas of law office management too.  Some of the groups I find most valuable include the Human Resources group, the Financial Management group, and the Facilities Management group. But ALAMN is not just about work; the association gives back to the community as well through monthly community service events.

Overall, as a member of ALAMN, you will be enriched professionally and personally. You can choose the level of involvement and the areas where you find the most value. ALAMN has helped me grow. Join us and see the difference!

– Jeff Downes is Office Manager at Rupp, Anderson, Squires, Waldspurger & Mace P.A.

For more information about ALAMN, please visit https://alamn.memberclicks.net/ or email [email protected]