JOB SATISFACTION AND RESPECT FOR CLIENTS AND STAFF

Craig Schauermann and Bill Thayer founded Schauermann & Thayer in Vancouver, Washington in 1986. In the quarter century that followed, we have added lawyers and other non-attorney staff as the firm has grown to its present comfortable size of five attorneys. Other than leaving to advance their education (such as the initial author of this note heading off to start law school), it has been quite some time since a full-time employee left the firm in search of greener pastures.  Job satisfaction and longevity within the firm is amply demonstrated by a glance at the initial hire dates of some of our “long-timers”, for example our office manager/bookkeeper Paula Kleven (1992, over twenty years ago), paralegal Kelly Snaric (1998), receptionist Janet Comer (1999), and paralegal Matthew Smith (2004).

Our clients have commented on having appreciated that the same people who helped them at the beginning of their personal injury case were still helping them at the end. It’s true! Our core staff has held strong for years with very little movement.

Our paralegal assistant Cheryl Monke, who herself has worked with us for over 6 years now, offered this in explanation: “I have never worked anywhere, with attorneys or other professionals, that actually makes you feel so appreciated as an employee. What I like even more is that they treat their clients the same way as they treat us-like family.”

One of our core values is that people deserve respect. Not just the judges and attorneys, but our firm employees, the court staff, court reporters, and especially our clients. We have built up our firm from the beginning with that central premise ever in mind.

“It makes me feel good working for a firm that treats its clients so well,” Cheryl said. “You don’t find that kind of dedication and caring very often at law firms.”