SWMW Law, one of the top law firms in the country focusing on asbestos litigation, is proud to announce that Missouri Lawyers Weekly has named Ashley Thomas, the firm’s litigation paralegal manager and trial paralegal, as one of its Unsung Legal Heroes for 2022.
“Ashley has been an integral part of the foundation that has allowed our firm to be successful,” said founding partner Ben Schmickle. “Her never-ending list of duties has continued to evolve as the firm has grown, and with each new responsibility added to her plate, not only has she handled it with ease, she has done it without complaint. She’s been an asset at our firm for the past nine years and we are proud to have her on our team.”
The Unsung Legal Heroes award honors law firm employees who have consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty, often behind the scenes. This year’s Unsung Legal Heroes recipients were featured in a special section of Missouri Lawyers Weekly published earlier this month.
As the firm’s litigation paralegal manager, Thomas is in charge of three paralegals. Her duties include hiring, training and guiding them through every facet of their position. She holds weekly meetings to make sure they’re on track to hit deadlines and is quick to assist if needed. She is known around the office to be a valuable resource and a trusted authority on any subject. Outside of managing her direct reports, Thomas is also the the firm’s trial paralegal. She handles all cases for trial and the paperwork that goes along with them, as well as schedules experts, sets up court hearings, keeps clients updated, and more.
To learn more about Thomas and her work at the firm, read a short interview by Missouri Lawyers Weekly here.