SWMW Law Office Manager Leslie McCray Named an ‘Unsung Legal Hero’ by Missouri Lawyers Weekly

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 Leslie McCray, the firm’s office manager, as one of its Unsung Legal Heroes for 2021.

“Leslie 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. When things seem insurmountable and overwhelming, she is the steady hand that lightens the load and keeps us moving forward. More so than anyone else in our office, Leslie is the glue that keeps our firm together.”

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 office manager, McCray is in charge of managing the firm’s books, paying invoices, managing payroll, onboarding and offboarding employees, arranging interviews, managing paralegals, ordering office supplies, training new employees, managing IT contracts, logistical planning, and more.

McCray, who was one of the original employees of the firm when it was founded in 2012, started as a paralegal. As tasks and responsibilities mounted at the young firm, she repeatedly volunteered to tackle them, even taking the time to research business law to ensure the firm completed all of its necessary paperwork. Within six months, she was promoted to office manager.

To learn more about McCray and her work at the firm, read a short interview by Missouri Lawyers Weekly here.