How long have you been with SWMW Law?
I’ve been here a little over 9 years. I started in 2015 as a receptionist. Shortly after I joined the team, there was an opening for a paralegal in the Settlements Department. I went to school to be a paralegal, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to use my education to further help our clients. In 2020, I was promoted to Settlements Manager, which is the position I hold today.
What does your position entail?
As the team’s Settlements Manager, I oversee a team of 6 paralegals. Our department is in charge of making sure all of our clients’ settlements are processed and disbursed as quickly as possible. I also have a lot of contact with our clients – they talk to me if they have any questions about their settlement funds or settlement documentation. I know how important these funds are and what they mean to clients, so I try to facilitate that process and make it as quick and easy to understand as possible. I’m always available to answer any questions they may have along the way.
What’s the best part about your job?
The best part about my job is being able to send the settlement money to our clients. I know the process to get to that point can sometimes be long and daunting, so I’m happy to help get them across the finish line and give them the money they’ve been waiting so long to receive. I know how life-changing this money can be; from compounding medical bills and funeral expenses to loss of income, these ramifications can place a seemingly insurmountable burden on our clients and their families. And although no amount of money can give our clients back their health or replace a loved one that has passed away, it’s something I can do to help make their lives a little better. And that means everything to me.
What are some experiences you’ve had at the firm that really resonate with you?
The work we do at our firm is so important. Our clients have worked so hard their entire lives to provide for their families, to attain the American dream, and they were robbed of that dream because companies selfishly put profits over the safety of their workers. It’s not fair. Being able to give them a little bit of financial security, to give them the ability to provide for their families again – it’s a privilege and an honor that I don’t take lightly. Sometimes we receive thank you cards from clients for the work we do, and those mean a lot to me. We really do work hard – not just my department, but everyone at the firm. And to know we’re impacting our clients’ lives in a positive way makes all the work worth it.
What would you like clients to know about you?
My family is very important to me. I’m a mother of three boys and they keep me really busy. I enjoy watching sports and attending sporting events – whether its for the sports my kids play or professional sports. My favorite teams are the Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Bears. I’m in “mom mode” most of the time, but when I do have free time, I like to get outside as much as I can and really enjoy camping in the summer.
What are some fun facts about yourself that you’d like to share?
I have a passion for baking. I am typically responsible for baking my family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas desserts every year. I always spend the Saturday after Thanksgiving volunteering with my two older sons. We’ve volunteered at our local library and food pantry, as well as at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This year we plan to volunteer at the local Humane Society.