On October 17th, our Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis (“KMO”) will mark a milestone in our history, our 40th Birthday! In looking back at our lengthy journey, it is humbling to see just how far we have come.
A Shout Out to Some Previous KMO Team Members
You May Have Known
I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize a few team members who were instrumental to building the firm into what it is today. At the risk of forgetting some others, I’d like to express my special thanks to: Jackie Meehan (who was our first paralegal and office manager and worked directly with clients as well as set up our vital company internal processes, procedures, and systems); Doug Cobb (a paralegal who helped develop our unique seminar expertise, doing presentations as well as servicing many of the clients who attended); attorney Allen Hoffman (my first associate); and attorneys Gary Talavera, Mike Millea and Sam Ledwitz (who did much of the “heavy lifting”, handling clients matters during the years I was focused on seminars and building the firm).
Let’s Also Recognize a Couple of VIPs
You’ve Probably Never Seen!
At some point, you’ve probably walked from our lobby to an attorney’s office, met with the attorney, and returned back to the lobby clutching your Estate Planning Document book and book bag. That whole process may have appeared to be pretty simple, but there was a lot more that went on (and still goes on) “behind the scenes” at our office that you never really see.
Successfully running a law office with multiple attorneys and support staff is no snap. It involves so many details that it’s simply mind-boggling. Everything from watching the nickels and dimes of our expenses, to coordinating marketing and appointment calendars, to processing all the paperwork, to answering the phones and e-mails, to being sure we have enough pens and paper and our company computers and copiers are all working! (And that doesn’t include dealing every day with all the different “personalities” and keeping everyone on track and efficient!)
That big a job, of daily managing a successful law firm, takes a strong, hard-working person, or two. The two individuals who have been with our firm the longest and taken on this huge responsibility (and whom you probably have never met) are Elaine Anderson and Arlyn Villanueva.
Elaine joined our firm way back in 1990 as a typist (shortly after she had emigrated from China, with her Chinese-English dictionary next to her as she typed!). Through her hard work, dedication and efforts, Elaine has achieved the highest level of Senior Estate Planning Paralegal. In the Spring of 2000, Elaine moved to Boston when her husband, relocated his job, and after he recently retired, they both moved again, this time to Florida. Despite her not being physically here for over 20 years, she has never left us! She became a remote employee long before the pandemic made that sort of work status more common. Today, Elaine continues to service our clients by phone, Zoom and e-mail and has continued to assist the firm in preparation of thousands of trusts over the years. She also helps Mr. Kavesh supervise and train the associate attorneys of the firm.
Arlyn Villanueva started with our firm in 1994, quietly working in the file room. It was only her second job ever, right out of high school. After demonstrating her attention to detail, she soon advanced to quietly working as a typist/word processor, then quietly working as a full-fledged estate planning paralegal. (We must repeat “quietly” because Arlyn was known for being very serious and focused on her work, hardly ever saying a word to anyone!)
Over the years, Arlyn became familiar with every operating procedure and system in our firm. Her confidence (as evidenced by her increasingly outgoing personality) grew leaps and bounds and she became the always sought “go-to” person whenever someone had a question or problem. So it was only natural that she eventually was promoted to the position of Office Manager in 2007 – and has done a great job in that key position ever since.
“Over these last 25 plus years, I literally grew up at Kavesh, Minor and Otis” says Arlyn. “I feel like everyone here is my family.”
Between the two of them, Elaine and Arlyn help keep things at the law firm running smoothly and efficiently. All the daily “behind the scenes” work doesn’t happen without the two of them and all of their years of experience. The Law Firm of Kavesh, Minor & Otis wouldn’t be where it is today without the two of them.
So Let’s Raise a Glass and Make a Toast!
Here’s to many more years to come, where we at KMO may continue to help serve our community, our clients, and their loved ones. It’s very rare and unique to find a law firm (or, for that matter, any business nowadays) that has successfully serviced its clients for this long and is built solidly to do so for many years to come. With KMO, you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that, when the time comes and you (or your spouse) may become ill, disabled or passes away, the law firm that was there to help you set up your estate plan will be there to help your loved ones years later.
Last, but certainly not least, let me express my gratitude to all of our valued clients for your trust, loyalty, support and referrals over these many years!
