2023 Board of Directors Nominations SlateThe Board of Directors of the Association of Legal Administrators, New York City Chapter is comprised of a President, President-Elect, Financial Officer, Communications Officer, Immediate Past President, nine Vice-Presidents, and up to three Vice-Presidents-at-Large. The Vice-President term is two years, April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2025. The Vice President-at-Large term is one year, April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024. Board members in this role are empowered to vote when a quorum is needed. Additionally, Vice Presidents-at-Large may be appointed to a Vice-President position should a Vice-President vacate their position during the term. Submit your vote HERE by Friday, February 17, 2023. VICE-PRESIDENT CANDIDATES(In alphabetical order)
CAMILLE GALLARDO Camille Gallardo is a Legal Assistant and Office Manager at Paul Ellis Law Group. She handles many of the firm’s day-to-day business needs. Prior to joining the firm, Camille was a legal assistant and paralegal at Gleason & Koatz, LLP where she handled a range of legal documentation and client facing activities. Her experience also includes working in multilateral diplomacy and international affairs as an Adviser at the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations. In this role, Camille was involved in advising and negotiating on critical issues such as sustainable development, international law, and human rights, particularly of women and children. Camille graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a Concentration in Visual Arts, and French Translation and Literature. A polyglot professional, Camille is fluent in English, French, Spanish and German. She has a passion for art and was an épée fencer for the U.S. and Columbia University fencing teams.
BRIDGET HAGAN Bridget Hagan is the Office Administrator at Baker McKenzie's NYC office. She has worked in various roles in both large and small firms in New York City for over 30 years. Bridget is originally from Ireland and moved to the US in the 1980's. She enjoys the challenge of working in a law firm, and especially a large global law firm like Baker where she has an opportunity to meet colleagues from all corners of the globe. No two days are ever the same as in the OA role, and Bridget particularly enjoys the variety and dealing with the challenges faced on a daily basis. Bridget's work is very important to her as she enjoys doing things that either help someone or potentially change the course of someone's day, even if it is only in a small way. In Bridget's free time, she enjoys spending time with her adult children, traveling, learning ballroom dancing, and Peloton workouts!
FRANCINE LAHM Francine E. Lahm is the Administrator for the New York office of Pallas Partners LLP, an elite litigation and disputes boutique. Francine is excited to have recently taken on the challenge of managing and growing the firm in a unique and strategic way, capturing its entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to DEI parity by 2025, and significant efforts in the Environmental, Social and Governance space. She is responsible for the administrative operations of the New York office, working in close collaboration with the firm’s Chief Administrative Officer in London. Prior to joining Pallas Partners, Francine was the HR strategic partner for the 80-attorney insurance defense boutique, Mendes & Mount, LLP, where she managed all things people related (and then some!). Beginning her career at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, Francine quickly climbed the ranks to earn managerial and director-level roles. Francine then worked in-house as Manager of the Legal Department of Unilever Americas where she cultivated a high level of acuity in the legal management arena and was recognized for the work she performed to bridge the gap between corporate legal departments and the clients they treasure. Francine is also a past winner of the ALA Volunteer of the Year Award. She has a deep understanding of how clients and lawyers work together to pursue common goals and use strategic insight to achieve successful results. Francine currently serves as Vice-President on the Board of Directors of the New York City Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. She is Team Lead for both The Professional Journey Support Group, and Events and Luncheons Team and also a member of both the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Team and Symposium. When not wearing one of her professional hats, Francine enjoys dancing, reading, cooking and family life with her husband and three daughters, Emily, Danielle and Olivia. AYANA LEWIS Ayana Lewis has more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources, with 18 years in New York City’s legal community and four years as a member of ALANYC. Ayana is currently the Senior HR Specialist at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (“Davis Polk”), where she is responsible for performing HR-related duties on a professional level and working closely with HR management in supporting the firm’s Wellness initiatives, non-legal recruiting, and onboarding, and policy implementation. Before joining Davis Polk, Ayana was the Senior HR Generalist at Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, where she led the firm’s recruitment and onboarding process of both attorneys and staff, assisted with the supervision of secretarial, paralegal, and support staff played an integral role in the handling of employee relations and performance matters, and was a leader of the firm’s evolving Diversity and Inclusion efforts. Ayana began her HR career in the legal industry at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, where she provided support for the firm and Human Resources department for approximately 14 years. She is well-versed in interpreting, administering, counseling, developing, and implementing firm policies and procedures. Ayana has a keen awareness of law firm culture from her experience at previous law firms, at each of which she has worked diligently to reinforce and support the firm’s mission and personnel.
STEPHANIE RANSOM Stephanie Ransom, CLM is the Assistant Office Manager at Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin for the New York and Roseland offices. In 2014, her previous firm merged with Marshall Dennehey where Stephanie served as the Director of Administration from 1999 to 2014. She currently handles all aspects of human resources, firm management and oversees all administrative and back office functions. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of Memphis in 1992. In 2009, Stephanie received her Certified Legal Manager (CLM) designation. Stephanie is currently a member of the ALANYC having joined in 2000 and has maintained her membership ever since. Stephanie has been very active serving on various committees throughout the years and was on the Board of Directors from 2018-2021. Stephanie is currently serving on ALA National’s 2023 Annual Conference and Expo Planning Committee and CLM Certification Committee but misses the local interaction and would like to continue to be a part of the local chapter by serving members in whatever manner possible.
ANNA SCARPA Anna Scarpa is the Director of Human Resources at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. With more than 500 legal and business professionals across the US, Stroock is a national firm with international reach, offering clients the concierge service of a boutique and the sophistication of a mega-firm. Anna is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources, its practices, and operations in order to meet the needs of the constantly evolving law firm business, and incorporating the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. She prides herself on the ability to engage, motivate and retain top talent. Anna has a keen skill to coach and mentor professionals at all levels of their career and personal journeys. Her positive and strategic thought leadership is combined with her passion, energy and authenticity. Anna makes it her mission to help create meaning in peoples’ work by connecting who they are to what they want to do, while they consider how to achieve their goals in the most positive and effective manner. Anna earned her double major graduate degree from New York University in Organizational Psychology and Business Management. She utilizes her experience and education to better understand and empathize with individuals, seeing things from their perspective. Anna has been a driver for reinventing the leadership role within law firms, as she has taken the approach of leading through emotional intelligence strategies. Anna also believes it is important for leaders to take the time to work on self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills in order to exhibit greatness in their career and personal life. 2023-2024 Executive Committee PRESIDENT: MICHAEL A. LEONARDI IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: TINA CARTER PRESIDENT-ELECT: AUDREY SERBAN FINANCIAL OFFICER: MEREDITH M. LONNER, MBA, CLM COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Open! |
