Team Member Category: Key Staff

As the Accounting Director for Hanley Flight & Zimmerman, I bring 20 years of accounting experience to the company. I oversee all financial aspects of the business, from billing and payroll to planning and forecasting. During my career, among other things, I spent many years at a public accounting firm preparing tax returns and becoming familiar with the accounting operations of various businesses. I also worked as part of a consulting team for a publicly traded company during a post-merger integration.

At HFZ, I am pleased to work with a tremendously talented team of attorneys, engineers and professional staff performing their best work for our clients on a day to day basis. I direct a recruiting strategy for the hiring of patent engineers, patent agents, patent attorneys, administrative staff, interns and temporary workers. I help facilitate the onboarding of new employees, and the planning of special events and celebrations for the firm throughout the year. Prior to working at HFZ, I was a public spokesperson for various companies within the automotive, textbook, technology and consumer goods industries.

My education in Computer Science at Northern Illinois University provided diverse experience with various programming languages and database management. Prior to arriving at HFZ, I managed the MS-SQL database for an electrical services company, working alongside skilled staff while expanding my knowledge of the latest technology.  At HFZ I help maintain a clean database and work on improving daily tasks by creating software, consulting, and working alongside the docketing team in an effort to serve our clients.  Hanley, Flight and Zimmerman has allowed me the opportunity to utilize my understanding of the latest technology and database management in the field of Patent Prosecution while collaborating with innovative and dedicated professionals.

I am the Administrative Coordinator at Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman. I have been part of HFZ for 7 years overseeing the Front Reception Desk and staff, working with various vendors providing office services to our firm, while also supporting specialty projects for other administrative departments.  I enjoy helping HFZ maintain good relationships within building management and building services, as well as, our outside vendors. Prior to working at HFZ, I attended Fox College and graduated with a certificate of Applied Science in Administrative Assistant.

I am a Docketing Assistant at HFZ. This year will mark 7 years working with the firm. At HFZ, I help run the Front Reception Desk, work on various clerical tasks within the firm in support of legal assistants, attorneys, docketing, recruiting and operations. I work with managing the physical files in the office as well. Prior to joining the HFZ team, I received my Associates of Applied Science in Administrative Assistant at Fox College. I also attended DeVry University and received my Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.

Prior to joining HFZ, I worked at The Chicago Board Options Exchange for 17 years in different capacities, from Administrative Assistant in the PR Department, to Assistant to the Executive Director of Business Development and Program Director in the Educational arm of the Exchange, where I travelled extensively throughout the United States and Canada coordinating options seminars for investors and brokers.

Since joining HFZ, first as a part-time receptionist, currently as the IP Docketing Manager, I bring my attention-to-detail and organizational skills to help our attorneys and patent engineers achieve success for our clients in their IP endeavors.

I have been with Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman since 2016 assisting in all steps of the patent prosecution process, to ensure accuracy in our filings and to make sure all docketing deadlines are timely met.  Previously, I worked as an assistant at a law firm focused in foreclosure practice. I earned a B.A. in Art and Management from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. I also received my paralegal certificate from the ABA-approved paralegal program at Loyola University.

At HFZ I assist in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in a wide range of fields including electronics, software, and aerospace engineering. I find the work challenging and stimulating. Prior to joining HFZ, I worked at Spruson and Ferguson in Sydney, Australia, prosecuting patent applications in their mechanical department. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney, a Graduate Diploma in Industrial Property from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a Paralegal Certificate from the College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn.

At HFZ, I am grateful to assist our experienced patent attorneys with the preparation and prosecution of the patent application process. As a legal assistant I am responsible for acquiring and maintaining client systems and procedures as well as monitoring and assisting my practitioners in meeting docketed deadlines. Prior to joining at HFZ, I  worked as a paralegal for a bankruptcy law firm which specialized in commercial and residential real estate default work.

 

Before joining the HFZ team, I studied Accounting and Finance at the University of Kentucky.  As the Accounting Assistant, I work with our Accounting Director and our firm stakeholders to streamline billing processes. I also prepare budgets, accruals, and reconciliations for our clients. My education in accounting continues as I am working on a master’s degree through the University of Illinois and am studying to become a CPA.