Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week.  This year, the IAAP is veering away from the traditional celebration, which has centered on administrative professionals.  In light of the recession and resulting downsizing by many employers, the IAAP is encouraging employers to “celebrate all office professionals.”

In celebration of Administrative Professionals Week, April 24-30, I’d like to acknowledge Karen Bollinger, my assistant at my former law firm of McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP.  By turns cheering, cajoling, and chastising, Karen fussed over me like a mother hen.  I miss Karen.  I think of her as I learn to do things I never did before, such as serve a pleading by certified mail, e-file, and manage my own calendar and docket.

I’d also like to acknowledge my colleagues, co-workers, friends, and mentors at McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP, including Linda Arismendez, Gaylord Armstrong, Clay Barton, Tom Barton, Travis Barton, Jonathan Baughman, Bill Bingham, Jeff Bohm, Matt Bollinger, John Breihan, Brook Brown, Susan Bryant, Regina Buono, Cheryl Burtzel, Matt Campbell, Greg Chanon, Ray Chester, Karan Ciotti, Amy Clark-Meachum, Scott Cooley, Shirley Corbin-Trujillo, Veronica Culina, Bill Daniel, Debbie Daniels, Doug Dodds, Mark Domel, Don Drago, Theresa Eilers, Brian Engel, Manuel Escobar, Larry Fluker, Carl Galant, Keith Gard, Tim George, Phil Haag, Ramona Haley, Tilly Hancock, Susan Heil, Angie Herrera, Madi Hinojosa, Lin Hughes, Russ Johnson, Michael Kabat, Stephanie Kaiser, Rick Kelley, Marc Knisely, Chuck Kreutz, Tammy Kurtz, Pat Larson, Nick Laurent, Joe Lea, Kathleen Lindelow, Lloyd Lochridge, Pat Lochridge, Julian Lockwood, April Lucas, Don Magee, Debbie Maquet, Vince Marbibi, Tammy Mathes, Kim McBride, Terry McDonald, Kathy Mercado, D’Ana Mikeska, Chris Miller, Rick Milvenan, Jordan Mullins, Chris Oddo, Joan O’Mara, Rachael Padgett, Jessica Palvino, Royce Poinsett, Derrick Price, Carolyn Raup, Jim Raup, Mark Raup, Mary Reagan, Stacey Reese, Teresa Riffey, Nelia Robbi, Glenda Roselle, Sky Scherer, Phillip Schmandt, Carlos Soltero, Shawn St. Clair, Melissa Sykes, Brian Thompson, Cristina Urbieta, Trinidad Villarreal, Karen Watkins, Steve Watkins, Wally Warrenberg, Annette Weingartner, John Wilson, Angela Woodbury, Mike Wren, and Larry York.

I’d also like to acknowledge my officemates at the law firm of Jackson, Sjoberg, McCarthy & Wilson, LLP, including Alyson Davis, Carol Campaigne, Nancy Fowler, Carey Henderson, David Jackson, Kendall Jenkins, Marc Knisely, Ed McCarthy, Eddie McCarthy, Stephanie Nilsby, Temple Noble, Matt Sjoberg, Beth Townsend, and Bob Wilson.

I think of Karen—and of these colleagues, co-workers, friends, mentors, and officemates—in the employment suits I prosecute and defend.  I wonder: if the parties had more appreciation for one another—could these lawsuits have been prevented?  Or resolved sooner?

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
–Rumi

Do you have an employee like Karen?  A colleague like April?  A mentor like Carlos?  A friend like Chris?  A supporter like Marc?  A helper like Glenda?  How will you celebrate Administrative Professionals Week?  More importantly, how do you show your gratitude for the people who help you at work?