Legal Administrative Assistant

Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale

Legal administrative assistants are adept at keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, and Kim Aiello serves in this capacity for four attorneys. Even after 20 years at the firm, she is still accepting new challenges including a recent assignment to the complex practice area of intellectual property law as an assistant to the leader of the firm’s growing patent team. What led you to choose a career in the legal field? I have always had an interest in the legal field, and my secretarial skills gave me the way to enter the legal field.

What is the best part of your job?

I assist the attorneys on my assignments in various areas of law so the work stays interesting.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Make sure you like where you work and what you do. What is your favorite thing to do away from work? I like to spend time with my family, and I hunt for arrowheads and turn-of-the-century glass bottles in creeks and rivers.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

Years ago I auditioned for the game show “Deal or No Deal.” I didn’t make it on the show, but it was an interesting experience.

– Stephanie Maniscalco

Legal Administrative Assistant

Stinson Leonard Street

A legal assistant described by her employer as a “calming force” during a turbulent time, Janet Briscoe has found a way to go above and beyond the many demands of the position. Briscoe has served as the legal administrative assistant to Christopher Frantze and his father, Dave Frantze, both attorneys at Stinson Leonard Street. During the elder Frantze’s recovery from a serious illness, Briscoe ensured that he received essential communications and that other matters were properly delegated.

What led you to choose a career in the legal field?

My first job was at Stinson as a legal secretary using the secretarial skills and the business curriculum I learned in college. I found it fascinating working with a long-time partner and civic activist, Donald Chisholm.

What is the best part of your job?

Ensuring our clients are well-represented and their legal needs are taken care of professionally. This job offers daily challenges in diverse areas of the law and technology. I enjoy the challenge of melding the new technologies and being considerate of the needs of the firm.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Always be respectful, honest, trustworthy and do your very best. No one is perfect, and you learn by your mistakes. Also, some problems can only be solved through the passage of time; patience and understanding are critical to successful survival and service in the world of business.

What is your favorite thing to do away from work?

Traveling and being with my family and friends.

Anything else you want people to know?

I enjoy cooking and attended a Food as Medicine Everyday 12-week cooking class to incorporate healthy eating. I play the piano and flute. I am married. I have a son, daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. I have a schnoodle named Barney. I am certified as a Professional Legal Secretary belonging to NALS, the association for legal professionals, NALS of Missouri, and KCLSA, the association for legal professionals, for the last 20 years. – Stephanie Maniscalco

Legal Administrative Assistant

Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal

When clients come to Paule, Camazine & Blumenthal during difficult or traumatic moments, Gina McCauley usually is there working behind the scenes to make sure their needs are met — and that the firm’s attorneys have everything they need to help out. McCauley has worked for law firms on both sides of the river in the St. Louis area for almost 25 years. Since 2011, she has been at PCB, where colleagues have noticed both her attention to detail and her compassion.

What led you to choose a career in the legal field?

Definitely client service and the ability to help others. I am also a problem-solver by nature.

What is the best part of your job?

I work in three different areas of law at PCB: litigation, immigration and estate-planning. I love the variety.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Never be afraid to ask questions.

What is your favorite thing to do away from work?

I love traveling and spending time with my grandchildren. I also enjoy working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

I have two children in their early 30s.

Anything else you want people to know?

I am a grandmother to four.

– Nicholas Phillips

Medical Relations Manager

Goldblatt + Singer

One of Kimberly Sutton’s colleagues has called her “as reliable as the sunrise.” A plaintiff’s personal-injury legal secretary at Goldblatt + Singer, Sutton works closely with clients, tracking their medical care and often just listening with a sympathetic ear to their stories. She recognizes how important her role is and performs her work with a smile.

What led you to choose a career in the legal field?

The law has intrigued me since grade school. I love working in this fast-paced environment and helping people get the justice they deserve. My job can be stressful but very rewarding.

What is the best part of your job?

Everyone here is essential to making things run smoothly, and we are all good at what we do. We know how to work hard, but we also have a lot of fun outside of the office. The attorneys value their employees, and they make sure to let us know.

What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?

Clients may not understand the legal complexities of their cases, but they will remember how they were treated. I know being involved in an accident is scary. My goal is to help them get through this process as painlessly as possible.

What is your favorite thing to do away from work?

Anything that involves being on or near the water with my amazing friends and family. Spending time near the water is my happy place and the ultimate stress-reliever.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

I was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. It taught me a lot about discipline, which helps me in my current position to juggle a lot of tasks at one time.

Anything else you want people to know?

I really like that I am not limited to working on just one portion of our clients’ cases. My job allows me to do a variety of tasks, including litigation and trial preparation, from the very beginning of a case to the time of settlement.

– Nicholas Phillips