Member Profile - Louise Cocklereece 

MEMBER PROFILE

MAY

Louise Cocklereece

Office Administrator

Tisinger Vance, P.C.
Carrollton, GA
Member of AALA since: 2002

Firm / Professional Info you’d like to share:

16 attorneys, 48 employees, goal to obtain the CLM in the near future.

Personal Info you’d like to share:

I have a daughter, Britt who is enjoying her 1st year of High School; Jay, my significant other, and our cat, Dori.

AALA Involvement:

I have attended Regional Conference in New York and most recently in Savannah. Travel time limits my involvement, but I try to make speaker series luncheons and the Business Vendor luncheon (attending all of these is very beneficial to my job).   

All About Lou:  

1.       I am responsible for the firm’s financials, HR, facilities, staffing (everything non-legal).

2.      I became a legal administrator because an opportunity became available to work in a professional industry and the partners are well respected in the community.

3.      The thing I like best about being a legal administrator is the variety of tasks. There is never a dull moment and some tasks are a welcome challenge.

4.      The thing I like least about being a legal administrator is working with those who are not ‘team’ players or those who present problems without presenting potential solutions or options.

5.      The hardest situation I have had to deal with is delivering constructive criticism, as I never know how someone may accept the information, but hopefully the employee will listen to it as a positive tool for improvement; working with those who complain about change, change is inevitable, accept it, & move on.

6.      A major issue facing legal administrators today is marketing services in a very different economy.     

7.      To be successful, legal administrators have to be adaptable and positive, resourceful and exhibit a friendly attitude.  

8.      As a legal administrator, I never thought I would have to be responsible for such a variety of tasks.

9.      The best advice I’ve received from a fellow legal administrator is to be involved in the ALA/AALA. This professional organization is an invaluable network and administrators, especially new administrators, should attend functions as much as possible. 

10.   I think legal administrators are important to the legal industry because we are the link between the partners/attorneys and the staff. We do what it takes to get the job done with the resources available. Provide peace of mind to the partners that the firm is in good hands as someone is available to handle the day-to-day operations through problem solving and making decisions while keeping the firm’s interest always as a priority.
 

11.    I knew I was in the right profession when the partners valued my input and entrusted me with managing the operations.

12.   In the office, I try to set an example by doing my very best according to my abilities, by being a good listener and in being fair minded when speaking to partners, associates or fellow employees.

13.   I try to encourage my staff to work as a team and understand the overall ‘big picture’ of why we are in business-to serve our clients with the utmost professionalism, knowledge, skill and technology.

14.   If I wasn’t a legal administrator I would be a college business professor.

15.   I joined ALA/AALA because of the resources available and of the networking of fellow administrators.

16.   I use my membership in ALA/AALA by using the list serve, accessing the website, attending speaker series meetings and regional conferences. Also attend the Business Partner Luncheon and, when possible, support those vendors who support ALA/AALA.
 

17.   Three words that best describe me are trustworthy, fair, & optimistic.

18.   My plans for the next 10 years include complete CLM; learn more of the legal aspect of the firm, which will allow me to better understand the staff and their duties/responsibilities; learn more of the technology available to improve the operations of the firm.

19.   The last good movie I saw was The Blind Side.

20. In my life outside the office I enjoy spending time with my best friend Jay and my daughter Britt. We enjoy being a part of her life and involvement in our church, her school, and her swimming. We love sports, the outdoors, camping, watching movies & eating popcorn, laughing and having a great time with families and friends.