2022 Unsung Legal Heroes: Cheryl Suddarth

Firm Administration: Director of Finance and Administration, Mickes O’Toole

Cheri Suddarth’s role has grown along with her firm.

She started at Mickes O’Toole more than a decade ago as a part-time accounting person. As the firm grew, she became the full-time controller. Then, during the pandemic, the firm’s previous office administrator retired. Suddarth became the office administrator “practically overnight,” a nominator said, while still handling her controller duties.

“Now, two years later she is confidently comfortable in that role and has even streamlined much of the HR routines,” the nominator said. “She has done this all while still maintaining the high level of efficiency she had always brought to the firm’s finances.”

Her day-to-day activities include oversight of all finance and accounting functions, staff management and staying aware of internal and external opportunities to improve the practice, such as developing and implementing processes to improve billing and cash flow and researching and implementing new legal management and accounting.

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

Having worked in various accounting/tax positions, I was searching for a position in finance with an opportunity to leverage my MBA to help grow a service business.

What is the best part of your job?

Day to day interaction with staff, lawyers and partners.

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

Never complain about having too much work.

What is something that would surprise people about you?

I am an avid scuba diver with over 75 dives.