Alice McNeill Wins Smokeball’s National Secretary Award
Smokeball, a leading legal practice management software, announced the finalists of its third annual National Secretary's Day competition, which celebrates the outstanding contributions of paralegals and legal secretaries across Australia.
This year's winner is Alice McNeill from the Women's Legal Centre ACT. Alice is the Centre's Corporate Support Officer and is described as the backbone of the organisation, keeping the Centre running with kindness and professionalism.
Her nominator said: “The experiences of women seeking assistance from the Centre can be distressing and many women are escaping domestic and family violence. Alice is the first face women see when coming to the Centre and she provides a safe, calm, and welcoming environment. Alice must often take difficult phone calls from women in distress. She approaches these conversations in a trauma-informed manner and leaves women feeling heard and valued.
“Alice manages the Centre’s busy calendar, including that of our CEO. She handles all the administrative needs of the office, and her exceptional time-management and problem-solving skills ensure the Centre runs smoothly and meets the needs of women in the ACT and region. Alice also helps to facilitate the Centre’s pro-bono advice appointments, which expand the Centre’s capacity to provide women free legal advice. Further, her mind for innovation means she is constantly contributing to making the Centre more efficient and accessible for staff and members of the community. Alice's competence, efficiency, and professionalism are a great asset to the Centre and the legal sector”.
In addition to Alice's outstanding contribution, Smokeball would also like to acknowledge the following runners-up for their exceptional work and dedication:
- Prue Garvin, Legal Assistant, Clarity Lawyers, Newcastle, NSW
- Joanne Riley, Senior Paralegal, IT/Office Manager, Kemp & Co Lawyers, North Sydney, NSW
- Janine Graham, Budden Law, Gawler South, SA
- Kerry Cook, Legal Assistant, Teak Legal & Consulting, Bendigo, VIC
- Natalie Pavia, Legal Secretary and Personal Assistant, Godden Lawyers, Bella Vista, NSW
- Karena Callahan, Senior Paralegal and Conveyancing Manager, WALLACEWEIR, Bundall, QLD
The runners-up are recognised for their tireless efforts, commitment to their work, and their willingness to go above and beyond for their firms and clients. Their exceptional skills and dedication to the legal industry make them invaluable members of their teams
Bianca Bowron-Cuthill, General Manager Australia, Smokeball said; “Smokeball would like to congratulate Alice and all the runners-up for their remarkable contributions and thank them for their hard work and dedication. These paralegals and legal secretaries play a critical role in the legal industry, both internally in the running of their organisation and externally with clients and we are proud to recognise their outstanding achievements”.
