Staff Spotlight – Claire Carter
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman’s Staff Spotlight for March is Mary Claire Carter. Claire has been a Legal Assistant at Harman Claytor for 24 years, but has been in the legal field for almost 40 years total.
1. What is a brief summary of your employment background? — I started my legal career at McGuire Woods in 1985 where I worked on the Ford fuel tank fire team and traveled around the country with our trial team, setting up the trial office, finding local vendors to help us throughout our trial, assisting with our experts, hauling our boxes to the courtroom for the day’s events, and packing up after trial. I learned so much and got to see some interesting places while traveling (downtown Detroit is not one of them). After leaving McGuire Woods in 1997, I went to Phillip Morris doing patent work in their legal department. In 2000, I realized this was not my cup of tea and left for Harman Claytor where I worked for John Claytor until his retirement.
2. Years down the road, how would you like to be remembered? — For trying to save all the dachshunds and find new homes for the homeless ones!
3. What’s something surprising that not many people know about you? — I hate ice cream. Bleh!
4. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? — You cannot outrun your fork. I learned that during Covid, when I decided to change the way I eat. It’s all about the food, and it’s had a significant impact on me.
5. You’re happiest when… — I’m vacationing in Wilmington, NC.
6. Do you have a motto or personal mantra? — Sometimes your “not to do list” is more important than your “to do” list.
7. Do you have any pets? — I have an ancient dachshund that I adopted in 2021. I only adopt doxies older than 10. They have my heart.
8. What is your biggest pet peeve? — Folks not using a turn signal.
9. If you were stuck on an island, what three things would you bring? — Tequila, lime, and salt.
10. What’s the best trip you’ve ever been on and why? — Driving cross-country. Did it twice, in 1990 (L.A. to Richmond) and in 1992 (Richmond to San Fran). There is no better way to see the country. Wish I could find my picture of me “standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona” cause I did it!
11. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? — Walking, thrift shopping, hanging out with all the dachshunds, watching the Steelers play.
12. What’s a cause that you are passionate about? — Just One More Dachshund Rescue and finding new homes for them, especially the seniors. They are my favorites.
13. Is there anything else interesting/fun/surprising you would like to share not covered above? — I love clowns! Most people/kids think they’re creepy. Not me! My family nickname growing up was Mary Clown instead of Mary Claire, as I did clownish things and I grew up to love clowns. When my parents used to travel, they’d bring home clown figures from all over the place and I had a neat collection.
