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On this week of the Mostly Legal podcast, Rob and Amanda host Geoffrey Williams (COO and CFO of Cunningham Bounds, LLC) and ALA International President-Elect 2022-2023. Have you ever thought about the differences between curiosity vs. judgment between one another? Geoffrey provides a thoughtful conversation around the impact of their experiences as a child and how it has influenced various parts of his life. Learn how Geoffrey has used many different ALA experiences towards his personal growth and how trying and failing can turn into trying and succeeding through time and effort. Did we mention that he also records and produces his own music too? There maybe is even some talk about the metaverse.
Geoffrey M. Williams, CLM, MBA, M.Div. is the Chief Operating Officer (& CFO) of Cunningham Bounds, LLC in Mobile, Alabama. He is responsible for the firm’s operations and financial management, and is involved in strategic management for the civil litigation firm that is focused on helping others who cannot help themselves.
Currently, he serves on the International Board of Directors for the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) and is the Association’s 2022-23 President-Elect. In addition to consulting for businesses and leading retreats, he has led keynote sessions or seminars for regional and national conferences including Associations such as ALA, Legal Marketing Association, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and many others on topics ranging from workplace culture, authentic leadership, conflict resolution and how emerging technology is changing the world and the business of law.
Geoffrey is a Certified Blockchain and Law Professional and a Certified Metaverse Expert. He is also a member of Blockchain Council, an authoritative group of subject experts and enthusiasts who raise awareness among businesses, enterprises, developers, and society by educating them in the Blockchain space, Blockchain Research and Development, Use Cases and Products and Knowledge for a better world.He earned a Graduate Certificate in Law Firm Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC and the MBA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, LA. He is one of 400 Certified Legal Managers (CLM) worldwide as credentialed by ALA. He graduated from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL where he was a member of Tri-Sigma Honors Society and founding chapter member of the ODK National Leadership Honor Society. Additionally, he earned a graduate degree (M.Div.) from Princeton Seminary in Princeton, NJ.
This week, Rob and Amanda have the pleasure of talking to Amylyn Riedling (Paralegal, Office Manager, and Bookkeeper at Robin H. Balsam, P.S.) who went back to school to become a paralegal just because her friend was doing it and she thought it sounded fun. (This makes her a MUCH better friend than us because we’d never go to such lengths for a friendship!)
Through the course of her career, Amylyn has found that her experiences outside of the classroom have been just as beneficial to her success as lectures and tests.
Her first job operating rides at an amusement park set her up to be a paralegal in ways she never expected, like dealing with difficult personalities and the importance of understanding who you’re working with.
To top it off, her continued involvement with the National Association for Legal Support Professionals (NALS) has helped her further her legal education (and her overall self) beyond what she’s learned working in the industry over the years.
Amylyn brings a unique perspective to the concept of self-sufficiency, and you won’t want to miss this episode where she helps us fill in the gaps between education and the real world!
Amylyn Riedling graduated from Central Washington University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Justice. She went on to graduate from Highline College's ABA Program in 2007 and received her paralegal certificate. She is a Certified Professional Paralegal, a Certified Professional Legal Secretary, and holds a specialty certificate in civil litigation.
She is currently a Paralegal, Office Manager, and Bookkeeper at Robin H. Balsam, P.S. From 2014 - 2020, Amylyn returned to Highline College as an adjunction instructor for the paralegal program, teaching Law Office Technology.
Amylyn first joined the National Association of Legal Support Professionals (NALS) in 2007 and since then has held local, regional, and national leadership roles within the organization. She begins her second stint as a National Board Member later this year and will serve in the position until 2025.
She is also a board member for the Tacoma Chapter of Lawyers Helping Hungry Children and has helped the organization raise over $100,000 since becoming involved in 2017.
Amylyn is a hockey fan - go Kraken! - and English bulldogs will distract her from almost any conversation.
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Thanks for tuning in! Join us back here next time for episode 10 with Suzy Klepac!
Which question would you rather have the answer to - where do you find the best firm administrators or how do you gain loyalty from a large group of people? Fortunately, you don’t actually have to choose because Katya Adams (Office Manager, The Watkins Firm, APC) and Gail Fredrickson (Firm Administrator, Rossway Swan) give us answers to both. Pull up a chair because we dive into a whole host of other questions too and you won’t want to miss what they have to say.
Office Manager, The Watkins Firm, APC
Katya Adams joined the firm in 2004 as a File Clerk, but her natural business and management sense found their application as she progressively took over the general management of the firm. Throughout her legal career, Ms. Adams’ ongoing interest in continuing her legal and management education has equipped her to oversee the firm’s technology, human resources, financial and facilities management.
Katya completed undergraduate studies at the University of California at San Diego. She is an avid participant in the San Diego legal community. Ms. Adams is an active member of the Association of Legal Administrators and recently completed her tenure as the San Diego Chapter’s president. Her volunteer efforts also include being a part of the committee for Couture for a Cause, an annual charity event that brings the legal community together to benefit children in need. Ms. Adams is fluent in Russian.
Away from work, Ms. Adams enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family and has a B.S. Psychology from the University of California San Diego (2005)
Firm Administrator, Rossway Swan Tierney Barry & Oliver, P.L.
Gail Fredrickson joined Rossway Swan in 2008 and has served as the Firm Administrator since 2011. Gail earned a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Organizational Management, and her experience in finance and management provides a strong basis for her current position.
Gail was born and raised in Vero Beach, Florida and she is deeply rooted in her community. She has two adult children, with whom she treasures time spent together on visits and family events. Gail is actively involved in community and charitable events and enjoys traveling and exploring new destinations.
Gail's Resources:
Rossway Swan Tierney Barry & Oliver, P.L.
Katya's Resources:
Thanks for tuning in! Join us back here next week for episode 10 with Jenna Carter and Chassidy Deckard!
