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.

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.

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.

 

Prior to joining HFZ, I studied Political Science at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, with an interest in law. I enjoyed my time researching political identities and voting behavior. I managed my academic studies while working full time and learned to prioritize, organize, and schedule my time efficiently. These skills have transferred well into my work as a legal assistant for HFZ, as I collaborate with my attorney team in successfully preparing and filing patent applications and prosecution with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Additionally, I help handle the firm’s patent annuities, and in training future legal assistants.

At HFZ, I leverage my background in research and analysis, my ability to multi-task while maintaining a high level of attention to detail, when working with Fortune 500 and 100 companies.

As a legal assistant at HFZ I assist our patent attorney team in a variety of ways during the patent prosecution process.  My primary responsibility is in the facilitation of international filings and the payment of patent annuities.   International filings require proper document preparation, correspondence with foreign counsels and communications with clients.  For my work with patent annuities, I monitor annuity deadlines and coordinate with clients and foreign counsels to maintain ongoing patent protection for our clients’ intellectual property.

My background in the liberal arts fostered a strong attention to detail and the skills necessary to adapt to, understand and thrive in diverse situations, which I apply daily in my work at HFZ.