Member Profile - Emily Dollar 

MEMBER PROFILE

AUGUST

Emily Dollar

HR Assistant

Drew, Eckl & Farnham

Member of AALA since: 2009

Firm / Professional Info you’d like to share:

We have around 210 employees, 83 of them attorneys. Before entering the legal world, I managed a Buckhead salon and worked at a recruiting firm.

Personal Info you’d like to share:

My husband and I just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary.

AALA Involvement:

So far I have been able to attend several monthly speaker series and socials. 

All About Emily:  

1.       I am responsible for the firm’s Summer Associate Program, On-boarding, Personnel Information Updates/Changes, Initial Benefits Point of Contact, Timesheets, Commuter Incentives, Time off requests.

2.      I got my start in the legal field because I had a recruiting background and wanted to work in a more stable, professional environment.

3.      The thing I like best about my job is every day is different and there is rarely a dull moment. I also love our HR team here at DEF. Stacy and Katie are really fun to work with.

4.      The thing I like least about my job is TBD. I’m sure I’ll know it when I find it.

5.      The hardest situation I have had to deal with is my first open enrollment. I’ve never been so tired.

6.      A major issue facing legal administrators today is keeping up morale in today’s economy.    

7.      To be successful, legal administrators have to be flexible and adaptable.  

8.      As a legal administrator, I never thought I would have to babysit a partner’s child.

9.      The best advice I’ve received from a fellow legal administrator is not to take anything personal. And to join AALA of course! 

10.   I think legal administrators are important to the legal industry because we are essential in keeping everything up and running and linking staff to the attorneys.
 

11.    I knew I was in the right profession when I woke up and wanted to go to work.

12.   In the office, I try to set an example by having a positive attitude at all times.

13.   I try to encourage my staff to be proactive.

14.   If I wasn’t a legal administrator I would be a personal trainer or own a coffee shop.

15.   I joined ALA/AALA because I am new to the legal field and have been able to gain a better understanding of the local legal community. I have also enjoyed learning how other firms handle certain situations.

16.   I use my membership in ALA/AALA by taking advantage of the list serve. We have used this several times to find good job candidates. I have also used my membership to learn from other firm administrators how they handle policies and keep up morale. It’s a great way to get ideas from other firms.
 

17.   Three words that best describe me are optimistic, loyal and fun.

18.   My plans for the next 10 years include continuing to learn and grow in the legal community.

19.   In my life outside the office I love to go on vacation! I also love going to new restaurants, working out – spin class is my new favorite, watching football with my husband Brandon, and searching for deals on the internet.

20. Recent good books I read are: Sail by James Patterson, Notes from the Underbelly by Risa Green and Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin.