“He’s the best boss ever. He is a very good teacher. […] He encourages and rewards hard work” – Courtney J. Lerias
Interviewer:
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey at Adam Leitman Bailey PC?
Courtney Lerius:
Hi, I’m Courtney Lerius, and I’m an attorney here at Adam Leitman Bailey PC. I’ve been working here since late 2009, which was my first job after law school. I got this job because a friend of mine from law school had been a summer associate here and was working at the firm. Adam was looking for another junior attorney to join his growing condo and co-op practice, and my friend recommended me. I came in for an interview, Adam hired me on the spot, and I’ve been here ever since.
Interviewer:
What’s it like working with Adam?
Courtney Lerius:
Adam is wonderful—he’s the best boss ever. He’s a great teacher and explains everything in a way that’s easy to understand. You always know what’s expected of you. Adam encourages and rewards hard work above all else, and as a working mother, I really appreciate how flexible he is. He’s incredibly understanding and supportive when it comes to work-life balance. As long as you get your work done and meet the quality standards of the firm, Adam is fully in your corner.
Interviewer:
What did you learn when you first started here?
Courtney Lerius:
When I first started here, it was my very first job out of law school, and I had no idea what I was doing. I was lucky because, in addition to Adam, there were partners at this firm who became amazing mentors to me. I learned my writing skills from Jackie Weinstein and Jeff Metz, and my litigation skills from Colin Kaufman. I learned everything I know about condos and co-ops from John Desiderio and Adam. The most important lesson I learned from Adam was to always be the most aggressive advocate for your client, put their interests above all else, and craft the best possible argument to advance their position. Over time, as I gained more experience, I relied less on them, but I’m now happy to pass on that knowledge to the junior associates here.
Interviewer:
What makes the firm’s culture unique?
Courtney Lerius:
Adam Lightman Bailey PC has always been like a family. Everyone is invested in each other’s career advancement and well-being. If you ever need help with a case, you can approach any of the partners or associates for guidance. The paralegals and support staff are fantastic and always there to help with any task, whether it’s filing a last-minute motion or running papers to court. The firm’s main goal is to make the team the best it can be.
Interviewer:
How has working at this firm shaped your career?
Courtney Lerius:
I really can’t imagine where I’d be in my career without Adam. He’s influenced my growth as a lawyer more than I ever could have imagined. He’s taught me so much about the practice of law and client advocacy. I don’t think I could’ve gotten this experience anywhere else or from anyone else.