“It is a really good atmosphere to work – It is a really fun experience but also sometimes challenging. Everyday is its new challenge and you do really have to learn how to work with that” -Alison, Paralegal
Hi, I’m Allison Collins, and I’ve been working here as a Landlord-Tenant Paralegal for the past five years. I graduated from Loyola in 2017, initially thinking I wanted to go to law school. I began applying for paralegal positions, and I was lucky enough to land an interview here at Adam Leitman Bailey PC. I was first introduced by Brianna, Adam’s executive assistant at the time, and one of the other paralegals. After that, I interviewed with Adam himself, which was a memorable experience. You immediately get a sense of his personality, and that’s important because you’ll see him around the office regularly. I also had an interview with my predecessor, who was the landlord-tenant paralegal at the time. Shortly after that, I was hired, and I’ve been here ever since.
Adam’s presence in the office is significant. He knows about cases across all departments and ensures we’re all doing our best work. He makes the rounds in the office, even giving clients tours, and he’s committed to making sure everyone enjoys their work and is learning.
I work in the Landlord-Tenant department, supporting a team of attorneys. My tasks include drafting notices, which I send to the attorneys for approval or edits, filing documents through the New York court system (NAISIF), and compiling documents for service. When I first started, I had no experience in landlord-tenant law, but my predecessor trained me for two months. After that, I took over the department as the sole paralegal. I relied heavily on the attorneys for guidance, especially Vladimir, who helped me understand key aspects of the law. He encouraged me to read the petitions I was drafting and filing, which gave me a deeper understanding of my role and the clients we serve.
The work environment here is very hands-on, which I appreciate. Being in a smaller firm, you’re thrown into a variety of tasks, and every day presents new challenges. It’s been a rewarding experience, but it can also be demanding at times. Communication is key; you need to stay on top of your workload while understanding what other attorneys might expect from you. This helps ensure everyone is aligned on what needs to be done and how they can assist you in achieving the best results.
I’ve also enjoyed getting to know my coworkers. Over the years, I’ve made lasting friendships, and I know I’ll have them for life. I can always reach out to them for work-related questions or just to share memes on the weekends! Everyone here is supportive and committed to producing great work, and that sense of camaraderie makes the work environment enjoyable.
One of my favorite memories at the firm is the summer lunches Adam organizes every Friday. These lunches give us a chance to connect with colleagues from different departments and talk about things beyond the day-to-day caseloads. It’s a great way to build relationships with people you might not work with directly.
Over time, I’ve grown into my role. When I first started, I had little knowledge of real estate law, but now I feel confident in my understanding of landlord-tenant law. I even have friends who reach out to me with questions about their own leases! No matter where I go, I know I’ll continue to read leases and stay informed on legal provisions and changes in the law.
This firm has been a great place for personal and professional growth, and I highly recommend it to anyone considering law school. It’s been instrumental in helping me make decisions about my career path.