Staff Spotlight – Ashley O’Neal
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman’s Staff Spotlight for November is Ashley O’Neal. Ashley is a Legal Assistant/Paralegal and has been at Harman Claytor for 11 years, although she has been in the legal field for 17 years.
1. Where are you from originally? — Huntington Beach, California.
2. What is your employment background? — I was a bill collector for several companies before I started working for a small firm in Shockoe Bottom in Richmond, Virginia. From there, I joined John Owen and HCCW as a Legal Assistant. Then, I went back to school (Go Spiders!) for my bachelor’s in paralegal studies.
3. How would your best friend describe you in three words? — Supportive, vivacious, independent.
4. What is at the top of your bucket list? — To publish 15 books.
5. What advice would you give your younger self? — Every judgment is a confession.
6. Years down the road, how would you like to be remembered? — I’d like to be remembered for being kind, helpful, and supportive.
7. What’s something surprising/fun that not many people know about you? — I love combat sports; I started a few years ago. Now I spend most weekends in the warmer months camping and getting medieval with my friends.
8. When have you felt the proudest and why? — I feel proudest when I can support people into supporting themselves. Witnessing anxiety grow into confidence is incredibly rewarding.
9. Describe an experience that has had a lasting impact on you. — I coached youth soccer for six years, and what I learned about parents changed me.
10. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? — The most important thing I learned in the last five years is that one must make time for their passions and creativity, along with family and work. That balance is critical in avoiding burnout.
11. You’re happiest when… — I am spending time with my kids.
12. Do you have a motto or personal mantra? — “It’s gonna be a great day!”
13. What is your biggest pet peeve? — My morning alarm.
14. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? — I’d like to visit LDN 43 in Ophiuchus, but NGC 6995 is a close second.
15. If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring? — An inkless pen, a pad of paper, and all 14 Wheel of Time books bound together into a single volume.
16. What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on and why? — Once, I was wearing really wide leg pants. My shoe got caught in the fabric and I tripped, faceplanting right in front of all the windows of our Richmond office. Humility comes in all forms and my pants survived, which is more than I can say for other trips I’ve had, so I think that qualifies it as the best.
17. What TV show/movie are you ashamed to admit you love? — What We Do in the Shadows.
18. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? — Combat sports, gardening, homesteading, crafting, building, sewing, hiking, camping, reading, I love being out of doors and active.
19. What would your perfect weekend look like? — Out of doors with the people I care about, grilling, and enjoying the company of those people.
20. Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have. — I have a number of hobbies; most folks probably don’t know (but wouldn’t be surprised that) I am into entomology. I have a collection of butterflies, wasps, moths, and other things that eventually get turned into art.
21. What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try or learn? — Truly, I want to learn how everything works, and why.
