Susan Patterson
Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP
Langhorne
14
years of professional experience
Dynamic leader with extensive expertise in law firm administration, finance management, talent management and strategic planning. Excelled in optimizing operations and spearheading administrative improvements, demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and teamwork. Achieved significant enhancements in efficiency and productivity throughout operations, with a keen focus on fiscal management, accounting processes and legal operations.
Work History
Firm Administrator
7 Months- Manages day to day law firm operations for 16 attorneys, and direct management for 10 staff members including Accounting Manager and IT Manager
- Streamlined workflow processes to ensure adherence to firm policies
- Recruited, screened, interviewed, and hired all administrative and support staff
- Conducted employee evaluations, managed disciplinary actions, tracked PTO, and processed compensation adjustments to maintain staff performance and compliance
- Maintain and update employee benefit packages, healthcare, and firm policy manuals.
- Conducts yearly reviews for staff
- Oversaw accounts receivables, collaborating with partners and clients to ensure timely payment and accurate billing
- Working with attorneys on billable hours and proper narrative enters
- Developed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility.
- Organizing all Office gatherings, Attorney gatherings, Partner Retreats, as well as hosting client gatherings.
- Developed training materials for new employees, fostering a comprehensive onboarding experience.
- Coordinated staff schedules and meetings to optimize team collaboration and communication.
- Managed financial transactions, including budgeting, invoicing, and expense tracking.
- Implemented new administrative procedures to enhance productivity and streamline processes.
- Oversaw daily office operations, ensuring efficient workflow and resource management.
Firm Administrator
1 Year 11 Months- Manages day-to-day law firm operations for 26 (litigation) attorneys and direct supervision of 25 staff members including Accounting Manager and IT Manager
- Drives budget creation and oversees approval process, tracking allocations and adherence
- Monitors budget expenditures and prepare financial statements and business activity reports for management
- Developed and maintained databases to track projects, clients, and financial records for improved accessibility
- Works closely with outside CPA with tax preparation, and paying taxes
- Supervises administrative staff, delegating tasks and managing workload distribution
- Establishes policies, procedures and scheduling protocol to organize daily work of administrative staff
- Works with management team to improve workflows and eliminate unnecessary tasks
- Collaborate with departmental leaders to establish organizational goals, strategic plans, and objectives
- Creates and implements procedures to prioritize job tasks and establish personnel responsibilities
- Ensures efficient workflow and adherence to policies; executes process of yearly reviews, bonuses, and raises
- Determines staffing requirements, interviewing process, hiring and training new employees
- Manages or assists in the recruitment process of staff and attorneys, from posting job ads to organizing interviews and onboarding new hires
- Conducts performance evaluations and recommends training programs for staff development
- Negotiates and administers benefits programs, including health insurance and retirement plans
- Coordinates with IT department to resolve technical issues and maintain computer systems
- Coordinated with IT department to resolve technical issues, ensuring minimal disruption to daily operations
- Analyzes operational processes and recommended improvements to enhance efficiency and productivity
- Analyzed operational processes and recommended improvements to streamline workflows and reduce bottlenecks
- Organized paper and electronic filing systems for efficient document retrieval by recording information, updating paperwork, and maintaining documents
- Tracked office supply levels to ensure timely replenishment and avoid shortages to replenish needed inventory before depletion
- Facilitated vendor relationships, negotiating contracts to reduce overhead costs effectively.
- Led firm-wide initiatives to adopt technology solutions that improved document management systems.
- Reduced expenses by negotiating better contracts with vendors and suppliers.
- Streamlined office operations by implementing efficient administrative systems and procedures.
- Devised thorough reporting mechanisms for monitoring progress toward company objectives, ensuring timely updates to stakeholders.
- Established comprehensive employee orientation programs that led to higher retention rates among new hires within their first year at the firm.
- Promoted a positive work environment by fostering collaboration among team members and recognizing individual accomplishments.
- Assisted in the development of company policies and procedures to maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Organized special events and meetings for both internal staff members and external clients or partners.
- Facilitated smooth office relocation with minimal disruption to daily operations through careful planning and coordination of resources.
- Managed financial tasks such as budgeting, expense tracking, and invoicing to ensure fiscal responsibility within the firm.
- Increased client satisfaction by consistently addressing concerns in a timely manner and implementing necessary improvements.
Administrator
8 Years 8 Months- Directs communication and schedules for all key company staff
- Manages office staff by recruiting, preparing orientations, training and oversight
- Provides administrative support services such as preparing reports, transcribing meeting minutes, conducting research, etc.
- Actively collaborates with senior leadership to develop efficient office policies, processes and procedures
- Prepared expense reports for senior-level personnel to facilitate timely financial reviews
- Manages and organizes confidential information to maintain privacy
- Provides month-end and year-end closing procedures and all finance-related functions
- Meets quarterly with outside CPA concerning quarterly taxes, allocations, master control reports, 401(k)
- Prepares expense reports for senior-level personnel upon request
- Provided comprehensive administrative support including report preparation, meeting minute transcription, and research to enhance operational efficiency
- Compiles data from various sources into comprehensive reports for review by executives
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating strong organizational skills to adapt to shifting priorities
- Manages project engineering and specification files
- Plans and executes events, including team recognition and client appreciation events
Office Manager
6 Years 9 Months- Collaborated and worked closely with Office Managing Partner and Chief Administrator to support administration needs throughout the branch of 20 attorneys/12 staff including finance/accounting, legal operations, human resources, facilities, IT, etc.
- Directed legal operations and supervised administrative staff and workflow
- Managed talent development and oversight for staff, enhancing team skills and performance
- Recruited, hired and ensured proper orientation through onboarding process
- Trained and managed progress of new hires and all support staff members
- Administered evaluation and performance development processes, fostering continuous improvement among staff
- Managed personnel records and discreetly handled confidential information
- Created and maintained spreadsheets for data analysis and reporting purposes
- Reviewed and edited correspondence, ensuring corporate writing guidelines were followed
- Exhibited strong interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of management, staff, clients, vendors and visitors
- Conducted administrative research projects for Executive Committee
- Led meetings, keeping staff informed of changes or new requirements in policies and procedures
- Developed policies and processes while coordinating staff meetings, training sessions, conferences, office events, and executive travel
- Organized planning and coordinating events and activities for the firm
- Managed facilities and planned/executed two office buildouts and office moves
- Procured/leased and maintained office equipment and contracts
- Ensured office supplies inventory needs are met and remained well stocked
- Oversaw daily office operations, ensuring efficiency and organization across all departments.
- Managed vendor relationships, negotiating contracts to optimize service quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Implemented office procedures that enhanced workflow and reduced operational redundancies.
- Coordinated scheduling for staff meetings, training sessions, and client appointments to maximize productivity.
- Developed onboarding materials for new hires, fostering a smooth transition into company culture.
- Supervised administrative staff, providing mentorship and support to enhance team performance.
Accounts Receivable Specialist/Legal Services
5 Years 2 Months- Prepared timely monthly aging reports for management review to facilitate informed decision-making
- Performed daily reconciliations of accounts receivable ledger, ensuring accuracy of customer payments and minimizing discrepancies
- Prepared monthly aging reports for management review on a timely basis
- Assisted in preparing financial statements for month-end and year-end, contributing to accurate financial reporting
Education
High School Diploma
Certificate of Business
Skills
Law Firm Administration
Legal Operations
Facilities/Procurement
Information Technology
Practice Development
Change Management
Vendor Relations
Finance & Accounting
Strategic Planning
Talent Management
Benefits Administration
Performance Development
Team Building
Event Coordination
Professionalism and ethics
Workload prioritization
Collaboration and teamwork
Networking and relationship building
Timeline
Firm Administrator
Hyland Levin Shapiro LLP
01.2026 - CurrentRead More
Firm Administrator
German Gallagher & Murtagh
02.2024 - 01.2026Read More
Administrator
Value Services USA
05.2017 - 01.2026Read More
Office Manager
Ice Miller LLP
05.2017 - 02.2024Read More
Accounts Receivable Specialist/Legal Services
Panitch Schwarze
03.2012 - 05.2017Read More
Abraham Lincoln High School
High School Diploma
Read More
Swenson Skill Center
Certificate of Business
Read More