During this term as President, I reflect back on what this organization has done for me over the last several years.  When I began my tenure as a Law Firm Administrator shortly after college, all I had in hand was a degree acknowledging that I had the ability to manage an office, perform human resource functions, write policies, interview, hire and terminate employees, oversee organizational matters and law firm departments.  What I did not know, however, was how to perform all of these functions whether at different times or juggle all at once.  (I learned multi-tasking almost instantly!).  I found a wealth of information within the ALA.  Not only in the library resources, articles, polices, links to relevant sites, etc.  I also found an amazing wealth of knowledge from the people of ALA.  My experience over the years is in large part due to my relationships with other administrators, networking with various members as well as the wonderful staff at National ALA.

I believe we are shaped, in this profession, through the knowledge we gain each day.  Much of that knowledge such as Diversity Initiatives, Labor Law Updates and the ALA Management Encyclopedia can all be found on the National ALA website.  Another great resource that we all share would be the educational sessions we have.  This not only allows us to gain new perspectives on old ideas but an opportunity to network with our peers.  There have been countless times when I have reached out to my ALA peers for advice on how specific situations have been handled and I have found great value in that information.

Law firm administration brings about many challenges, changes and multi-tasking but it really requires much patience and acceptance. Being a Law Firm Administrator has so many rewards and they are often rewards we find within ourselves and the most special people that touch our lives everyday.  I feel truly blessed to do what I do and am honored to serve as the 2011-2012 President.  I look forward to a year of new relationships, gained and shared knowledge and of course, fun!

Stephanie Cruz
Chapter President

Our chapter is happy to announce that we’ll be adopting a family this holiday season through the Greater Cleveland Salvation Army. We’re working with someone currently who will be pairing us up with a family but we won’t be matched until early November.  Being that we don’t yet have a family assigned, we don’t know the specific needs of the household yet.  But I wanted to start you thinking and give everyone the opportunity to be involved in some way.

Good news – There are many different ways for members to get involved - from donating material items and food - to helping coordinate the efforts for pick-up and drop-off of all that is collected throughout our offices.

Bad news – Drop-off deadline for this project is Dec. 12^th (the day before our Dec. 13^th event which would have been perfect).  However, I am willing to take the show on the road and pick up from your offices on a date yet to be determined but probably Dec 7-9.  Some of you have offices close to one another and maybe could coordinate centralizing a donation spot.  Either way, we’ll work it out, I’m sure.

Be on the look-out for more updates.

Thanks, and…. eh-hem….Happy Holidays!!!!

Amy Avon
Committee Chair
Community Outreach

CHRIS METZLER

What does your role as Office Administrator at Brzytwa Quick entail?

I’m responsible for overall management of a small litigation defense firm.  Daily responsibilities include: Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Benefits, Human Resources, and Facilities Management.  I supervise a staff of six. Today I’m sending billing instructions to other local counsel for one of our clients, reviewing and updating our Investment Policy Statement for our 401K Plan, reviewing and emailing our year end tasks timeline to partners and CPA, summarizing a conversation with Marshall Fletcher and hopefully finishing a draft survey for our BP Committee. 

How long have you been in that position?

Twelve years this month, 11/22/99 which is hard to believe.  Previous work? I left position of Law Office Administrator at Lubrizol, where I started as a paralegal, my first “real” job.

Tell us about your education.

Oberlin College B.A., Double Major: History and French Also completed one-third of course work required for M.A. in French with concentration in translation at Kent State.

How long have you been a member of the ALA?

15 years!

How has being a member helped you in your job?

In countless ways, my favorite of which is the networking and wonderful people.

What do you enjoy most about the ALA?

The opportunity to engage in education with a community of people who are advancing law firm management and reinforcing best practices for the profession.

Describe your perfect day at the office?

Lots of team work and interaction with staff and attorneys.  I am energized by interaction with people.  It makes my day much more interesting and fun.  I think that’s why I abandoned translation, it was a bit too solitary for me.

Describe your perfect day out of the office?

Lots of outdoor activity, followed by dinner with friends and live music.

Tell us about your family.

I’m the youngest of six.  We are spread around the country, MI, GA, OH and FL.

Are you originally from this area? 

Yes, I was born in Lorain and grew up in Sheffield Lake.

Hobbies?

Running, biking, LOVE music, movies, reading and eating.  I like to prepare healthy meals and learn about nutrition. 

What is something that no one knows about you ... yet?

I studied in France for a year and later worked in Rouen, France for 10 months.

Last book read?

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.

How do you think the Browns will do this year? 

My partner follows the Ohio State Buckeyes avidly.  So, the little I know about football is focused on College teams.

Thank you, Chris, for all your hard work and continued support of the Cleveland Chapter!

SPECIAL COUNSEL

Special Counsel provides temporary and direct hire search and placement of attorneys, paralegals, legal nurse consultants and legal support staff. The company also manages state-of-the-art Turnkey Legal Centers to host e-Discovery/document review projects. Special Counsel operates one of the nation’s most prestigious and accurate court reporting services through Alderson Court Reporting and one of the most efficient and cost-effective deposition summary services through Concise.

Below is a conversation with John Scully, Business Development Director, Special Counsel...

What are you most proud of at Special Counsel?

Thoroughness.  Special Counsel is the only company I have ever been part of in which every agenda item set forth when I started was followed through on in great detail.  My training was top notch.  Everyone involved was and still is a true professional. Special Counsel’s commitment to customer service is impressive.  The organization does not cut corners.  Everyone is accountable at all levels.

How does Special Counsel stay on top of the trends in the legal workplace?

Special Counsel believes in being proactive instead of reactive.  For example:  Seeing a need in the market for more effective management of contract teams, Special Counsel developed a unique solution known as SightManager.  SightManager set a trend within the industry that is changing the oversight and quality assurance process of document review. In addition, Special Counsel has offices in 32 markets throughout the U.S.  Our organization holds regular national and regional training calls to ensure new ideas and trends are identified and shared by all offices.

What strategies has Special Counsel sought during the prolonged economic downturn?

During the prolonged economic downturn Special Counsel has continued to offer candidates and clients the same level of service.  It has not altered our approach to meeting candidate and client expectations nor has it impacted our ability to market our services.

Has sustainability affected the way you do business or approached your clients?

Special Counsel strives to be the best corporate citizen it can be.  In 2008 our pay process became paperless through a candidate portal and the use of direct deposit and in 2009 we rolled out a paperless, on-line time entry and approval system.  In addition, through our parent company Adecco, Special Counsel participates in Win4Youth.  Special Counsel supports Win4Youth by donating to local charities for each mile biked by an employee in the area.  The company is well on its way to donating over $100,000 to community youth support groups through the program this year.

How has Special Counsel used social media to interact with clients?

All of our employees have LinkedIn profiles where we are able to quickly and effectively communicate with clients and candidates.  In 2010 we added the capability to communicate with our candidates via text message.

Tell us about your dedicated national credentials verification team ... and why it’s important?

Special Counsel offers a team of quality assurance specialists dedicated exclusively to verifying the credentials of the legal professionals we represent.  Special Counsel is the only legal staffing firm with a dedicated, national credentials verification team.  Additionally, Special counsel recruiters contact professional references and meet personally with applicants to further ensure that the applicant is the right fir for the position.  Upon request, services such as background checks, credit checks, drug testing and assistance with conflicts are performed. It is costly and time-consuming to go through the effort of searching for and interviewing a potential employee who later turns out to be unqualified for the position.  More difficult, and potentially damaging to your firm, is dismissing an employee who is not the right fit for your firm’s culture.  Law firms need assurance that whomever they retain to assist with a search is a provider that is as committed to the seriousness of the task as they are, thus the importance of credentials verification.

What else sets Special Counsel apart from its competition?

Besides me, Special Counsel has the ability to provide temporary and direct hire search and placement of attorneys, paralegals, legal nurse consultants and legal support staff on a national level. Special Counsel takes great pride in being a niche provider of legal staffing services.  Our reputation, size and scale, combined with local market knowledge in each of our locations, give us a distinct advantage in recruiting and retaining the best legal talent available on a short-term or long-term basis.  Special Counsel’s unparalleled success is grounded in customer service.  We enjoy a 100% repeat-business rate among our top customers, including a powerful array of Fortune 500 corporations and Am Law 100 law firms.  Special Counsel’s hands-on approach and assertive role as the employer-of-record for all contract legal professionals lifts numerous administrative burdens that might otherwise consume the time and energy of clients enlisting our services.  The long tenure of Special Counsel’s employees, who deliver services to our clients and candidates, is unique for our industry and serves our clients well, as we are able to call on this tremendous depth and breadth of experience in legal staffing and supporting our contract legal professionals.

What subjects do you cover in your Legal Trends Seminars offered to your clients?

Although we don't hold specific seminars in the Cleveland market we make it a point to constantly update our client base on new trends through client meetings, emails and our quarterly newsletter "The Column.” We also participate in local and national legal organizations such as the ALA to keep abreast of new innovations and best practices. 

How long have you been working with the ALA?  Cleveland Chapter?

Special Counsel has always valued our relationship with the national and local chapters of the ALA.  The company has supported the organization since it was formed in 1987.  We have been active with the Cleveland Chapter since the late 1980's.  Recently, Special Counsel increased its commitment to the Cleveland Chapter by becoming a Gateway Level Business Partner.

Special Counsel is also very active in the ALA National and Regional events.  What's coming up?

Special Counsel will be in attendance at all the ALA's regional conventions this year and are planning on attending again next year.  We are proud to be a partner to the local and regional chapters.

Special Counsel has a strong commitment to diversity.  Tell us how that dedication is applied in your searches for qualified candidates?

Maintaining a diverse candidate pool is an issue of national focus for Special Counsel.  Our national footprint offers Special Counsel the opportunity to recruit and be known by a broad range of minority candidates.  David Maldonado, Senior Vice-President, heads our diversity initiatives as well as our relationships with minority and affinity groups.  David is responsible for developing and implementing programs designed to enhance our relationship with these groups and strengthen our own diversity recruiting techniques.  

Special Counsel currently sponsors three, 3-year law school scholarships through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.  Special Counsel has sponsored events hosted by a number of organizations, including the Minority Corporate Counsel Association, the National Asian Pacific Bar Association, the California Minority Counsel Program and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys. 

Finally, as part of our commitment to diversity, Special Counsel provides full benefits to domestic partners.

Thank you, Special Counsel for your continued support of the ALA Cleveland Chapter!

Please join us in welcoming four new members to the Cleveland Chapter:

Kevin L. Cash is the CFO at Baker and is responsible for directing the operation of the Firmwide Finance Department and overseeing the Firm’s financial systems to support strategic and operational business planning and growth. He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Information Systems Auditor and a Certified Information Security Manager.

Patricia L. Winter (Patti) relocated to Cleveland last year after being a lifelong Chicagoan.  She was a very active member of the ALA Chicago chapter for numerous years.  She has held various administrative positions in law firms ranging in size from 10 attorneys to 150.  She is currently anticipating her next opportunity, but has kept busy by achieving her PHR certification and learning the game of golf.

Kevin P. Richardson has been with Jones Day for more than 20 years.  From 2001-10, he served as firm’s office administrator in Houston.  A Cleveland native, Kevin relocated back to the North Coast at the end of 2010. He was active in the ALA Houston Chapter serving on the Board from 2005-09 and as Chapter President (2007-2008).

Howard D. Kinstlinger has served as the Controller for Baker Hostetler since 1988.

Membership Committee:
Fran McClean, Chair (Thompson Hine)
Wendy Rice-Isaacs (Vorys)
 

SPEED NETWORKING EVENT HUGE SUCCESS!

On Thursday, August 11 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. the Chapter held it’s first “Speed Networking” event.  Taken from the speed dating format, more than 17 ALA Member “decision-makers” had the opportunity to conduct one-on-one “dates” with Business Partners who purchased a North Coast, Gateway or University Circle sponsorship.  This was a new idea that was discussed and recommended at last years Business Partners’ Advisory Panel event.

The event was held at Cropicana.  A table was set up for each of the Business Partners and they were given a number.  Each participating Chapter member were also given a number.  Every four minutes, a member moved to the next Business Partner table.

Attending members were given a packet of promotional materials representing the participating Business Partners.  A $400 iPhone card was given away to Member Amy Avon (Fisher & Phillips).

The event was well received by Business Partner John Scully from Special Counsel, “This was one of the more effective networking events the ALA [Cleveland Chapter] has ever sponsored!”  Cintas representatives, Shawnda Moye  and Brian Lane, liked the laid back atmosphere and venue, though they felt that 4 minutes was not quite enough time.

Members felt that it was a great way to get to know the business partner representatives and their offerings, even if they didn’t require their goods or services at this time.  Member Bob Moran (Franz Ward) felt  it was a great event. He like the format and would most definitely participate if offered again. 

Well done, Business Partner Committee!

Business Partner Relations Committee:

Bryan Roman, Chair (Squire Sanders)
Chris Metzler (Brytzwa Quick)
Trent Boerner (Kohrman Jackson)

On August 24 more than 50 Members, Business Partners and potential members and sponsors enjoyed a beautiful day at Briarwood Golf course.  We couldn’t have done it without the help and support of our Historic Warehouse Business Partners: Andrews, Aramark, eFax, LexisNexis, RROS, System Care and Taylor.

The outing kicked off with registration at 10:00 a.m. Participants enjoyed a great lunch provided by Bucci’s.  A shotgun start followed at 1:00 p.m.

First Place:
Sponsored by ComDoc:
Team #2: The Iron Mountain Boyz - Bill Felberg, John Goots, Brett Mann, David Mielnicki

Tied for Second Place:
Sponsored by IST
Team #4: Melanie Boyes and Billy Nelson (Blue Technologies), Jill Milkovich (Squire Sanders), Rick Voight (Today's Business Products)

Team #12: Mark Fenwick (Environments for Business), Steve Hapanowicz (Gunlocke), Bob Heiss (All-State Legal), Fran McClean (Thompson Hine)

A steak dinner following golf took place in the covered pavilion.  Participants were able to buy raffle tickets and take a chance on a 50-50 raffle.

Thank you Members for volunteering at the event!

The Business Partner Relations Committee reported they surpassed their goal raising more than $30,000.

Not only did our core group of Business Partners continue to support the Chapter as in years past, but several new organizations have now joined their ranks:

North Coast Harbor
Blue Technologies

Gateway
Special Counsel
Williams Lea

University Circle
Cintas
ComDoc
Ratliff & Taylor

Historic Warehouse
Andrews NEW!
Aramark NEW!
eFax Global
RROS NEW!
System Care
Taylor

Playhouse Square
AMO
All-State Legal
Clicks
Copitrak
Equitrac
Fiber-Seal
IKON
IST
Kimol Sharie Leyh NEW!
Lake Business Products
OfficeMax
Office Software Solutions
Today’s Business

Please reciprocate and support our Business Partners!

Y.O.U. (Youth Opportunities Unlimited) has asked our chapter to continue our involvement with their resume writing clinics that are offered in various Cleveland high schools.  Several of our members volunteered last year and have expressed interest in doing it again this year.

Volunteers are paired up with 1 – 3 students to assist them in the development of a resume using a certain resume writing software program.  For those who have not done this last year, there will be some training necessary for the software. This year Y.O.U. will do the training at your location – or at a central location that makes sense for a group of members.  Once you’ve received the training, you can sign up for any number at the school of your choice.  Last year the clinics took about 1 ½  - 2 hours but this year it might be less.

While the schedule of clinics and list of participating schools is being finalized, Community Outreach Chair, Amy Avon (Fisher & Phillips) would like to get a feel for how many Members would like to participate.  Last year there were approximately 15 clinics set up at 5 -7 different high schools throughout the months of October and November.  The students are wonderful and so appreciative of our help!

Please let Amy know if you are interested:
Amy Avon, (440) 740-2104

The Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) Student Internship program is wrapping up August 19th this year.  Thank you to those firms who participated this year:

• Tucker Ellis (organized and drove the bus)
• Baker
• Thompson Hine
• Ulmer
• Walter & Haverfield
• McDonald Hopkins
• Squire Sanders

If you are interested in learning more about this program or want to participate next year you can reach out to: 

Michael Brink (Tucker Ellis) michael.brink@tuckerellis.com

Ayesha Bell Hardaway (Tucker Ellis) ayesha.hardaway@tuckerellis.com

Upcoming CMBA items to be aware of include the following:

Green Committee

Green Innovation Award.  Submissions for this years awards were due in mid September.  If your office has already undertaken initiatives in areas of recycling, sustainability and/or conservation, hopefully, you considered making a submission for certification.  In September, the annual Greener Way to Work Day which encourages individuals to bike, car pool or use public transportation was held.  The luncheon was well attended including several member firms.

If you are doing any upgrades to your computer systems or printer fleet please consider Ken Kovatch at RET3 Job Corps.  RET3 is a nonprofit partner of CMBA dedicated to recycling and refurbishing electronics in an environmentally safe manner to create a more productive and technologically adept workforce in NE Ohio.  A proud partner of CMBA, RET3 Job Corp offers a full service e-Waste reuse and recycling programs for organizations and companies throughout Northeast Ohio.  Ken can be reached at: 216-361-9991 x100

Nothing further to report at this time.  If there are additional items that others are aware of that did not come up in my meetings then please by all means we should include them, just because I am Chair does not mean I know everything.

Respectfully submitted,
Mike Krnac, Chair 

Excerpt taken from EDSI Blog - Sherman Updegraff

For most busy professionals, every day seems like a race against the clock. You may start off the morning energetic and optimistic, with a strong cup of coffee and a long list of goals to accomplish, but by the afternoon, you are tired and overwhelmed without completing nearly as many items as you had hoped. Time management may feel like a constant juggling act, but you can take control of your schedule if you approach it strategically. Create a plan, stay focused and learn to recognize your time-wasters and you will reduce stress and boost productivity.

5 Easy Steps for Better Time Management

1. Be realistic about your time.

There are only 24 hours in a day (as much as we would love to change that fact) and only about one-third of that time is spent at work. If your to-do list for one work day is crammed with a week’s worth of tasks, you are setting yourself up for frustration and disappointment. Strive to set a few realistic goals for each day and start with the most important. If you have a hard time cutting back your list, impose outside limits by writing it on a Post-It use Outlook tasks.

2. Record how you’re spending your time.

Do you often reach the end of a work day wondering where all of those hours went? It might be time to do a self-evaluation of your time management style.

Break your day down into at least half hour slots and write down exactly what you do in each 30 minutes. Imagine that you are on a diet and your doctor has asked you to keep an honest food journal, to reveal your major calorie intake times of the day. This is what you want for your time journal.

3. Be honest about where you’re wasting time.

After keeping a time journal for a few days, read it carefully to identify which time-wasters are damaging your personal effectiveness. Are you spending too long responding to emails or catching up on blogs and social media? Are you reorganizing your file cabinets because you are procrastinating on completing an important project? Everyone has a few of these weaknesses; write yours down so you can be aware of them and do them less frequently.

4. Set limits for yourself.

Self-imposed deadlines can help keep you on track with time management. Estimate how long each item on your to-do list will take to complete, then set a timeframe for yourself. Put a reminder in your computer’s calendar or set an actual timer to enforce the limits you set.

5. Say “no” when you need to.

Before you agree to any new work, take a moment to consider your schedule and existing assignments. Learn to say “no” or delegate when you know you have reached your capacity for new projects.

What are your tips for managing your time effectively?