Contact:
Nicole Stine – Manager of Client Relations
608.283.6758
nstine@axley.com
November 25, 2014
(Madison, Wis.) – The Wisconsin Law Journal named Axley legal assistant Jean Karls and librarian Jane Crandall Unsung Heroes in its 2014 installment of the award, which recognized 24 law firm staff members throughout the state for their behind-the-scenes efforts and steadfast dedication to the legal profession.
Earning the title, “Legal Assistant of the Year,” Karls devotes most of her time at Axley to assisting attorneys with labor and employment matters across the full case continuum; however, during her nearly five decade-long career, Karls has gained experience in business and corporate; telecommunications; real estate; municipal; probate; and collections matters, as well. Additionally, Karls helps the firm’s accounting department with performing conflicts checks, reviewing and editing BIMS, and answering accounting and billing questions from clients.
Karls, who will retire at the end of this year, currently trains one of Axley’s newer hires to take over her attorney assignments beginning in 2015.
“Jean goes above and beyond the call of duty to provide great support to the firm,” said Leslie Sammon, Axley attorney and one of Karls’s supervisors. “But that’s just who she is: a leader who personifies hard work, prioritizes client satisfaction and refuses to settle for mediocrity.”
Crandall, who earned the title, “Law Librarian of the Year,” provides extensive legal research and paralegal assistance to Axley attorneys, centering her efforts on strengthening internal communication and efficiency regarding firm operations. In addition to conducting face-to-face consultations in her library, she administers a blog on Axley’s employee website, sharing pertinent information regarding research platforms and legal trends with all members of the firm.
Furthermore, Crandall regularly hosts firm-wide training sessions for electronic legal research services. Utilizing organizational and project management skills, she also maintains the firm’s docketing system, ensuring attorneys remain on track with cases so clients receive optimal results in a timely fashion.
“Jane possesses an admirable drive to help her colleagues, playing an integral role in the success of our firm and, most importantly, our clients,” said Saul Glazer, Chair of Axley’s Labor and Employment Practice Group. “This award is validation of her exceptional work ethic – her endless capabilities.”
The Wisconsin Law Journal will host an awards luncheon for the 2014 honorees on Thursday, December 4 at the Milwaukee Athletic Club. It will also publish a special edition of the magazine to showcase the honorees.
This installment of Unsung Heroes comes after the award’s two-year hiatus. For more information on the award, please click here.
Founded in 1885, Axley is a full-service law firm with two Wisconsin offices and over 50 attorneys that provide services in over 100 legal areas. For more information on Axley, click here. If you’re interested in signing up to receive timely and informative legal publications straight to your inbox, click here. To make a specific inquiry, please contact us at law@axley.com.