Staff Spotlight – Melanie Mitchell
Harman Claytor Corrigan & Wellman’s Staff Spotlight for September is Melanie Mitchell. Melanie has been a Legal Assistant and Paralegal at Harman Claytor for 25 years.
1. Where are you from originally? — Bay Minette, Alabama.
2. What is a summary of your employment background? — My first job after college was as a receptionist at a civil litigation defense firm in Baton Rouge. After moving to Virginia in 1998, I worked as a secretary/paralegal at a plaintiff’s personal injury firm and later a stint in corporate law. In 1999, I planned to leave law for a corporate administrative position when I happened to see a newspaper ad for a secretary position with HCCW. I already had a job offer, but, on a whim, I sent in my resume with no cover letter. Despite this job seeking faux pas, Stan Wellman called me for an interview. He and Elizabeth Skilling took a chance on me as I certainly had little civil litigation experience and was a slow typist. In 2005, I took on secretary and paralegal roles for Stan. This was on a “trial basis” which has lasted nearly 20 years! There were eight attorneys when I started and look at us now! It has been so rewarding to be a part of the success of this firm.
3. How would your best friend describe you in three words? — Kind, loyal, and thoughtful.
4. What is at the top of your bucket list? — To master a foreign language. After three years studying German, I can only remember a handful of phrases and a few not-so-nice words.
5. Years down the road, how would you like to be remembered? — As making a positive impact on my community through my work at St. John’s Episcopal Church, renewal efforts in my little town of Columbia, and other civic activities.
6. What’s something surprising/fun that not many people know about you? — I am still in touch with my childhood pen pal from Vienna. Texting has replaced handwritten letters, which has been nice!
7. Describe an experience that has had a lasting impact on you. — Watching my husband courageously bounce back from some difficult health issues. He is truly an inspiration.
8. What has been your most meaningful accomplishment so far? — Buying a 190 year-old house to restore and turn the property into a little homestead. Sometimes I believe my husband and I were insane to take this on! That house and property have taught me so much about taking risks, hard work, and how to properly use an ax.
9. You’re happiest when… — I’m on my sunrise meditative walks.
10. Do you have any pets? — We have two outdoor cats who adopted us. Years ago, a neighbor was notorious for feeding feral cats around town, so we suspect they’re one of the many generations of “Columbia cats.”
11. If you could visit any place in the world, where would it be? — I would like to visit the region in Croatia where my paternal great-grandparents are originally from, Gorski Kotar. They immigrated in 1900. I have done extensive research in the past few years to retrace their lives from then Austria Hungary, on to Illinois, and later south Alabama.
12. If you could attend any concert, who would it be? — A full orchestra with violinist Daniel Hope performing my favorite Max Richter pieces.
13. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? — Reading, writing short stories and poetry, genealogy, making homemade beauty/health products, and yoga.
14. What’s a cause that you are passionate about? — Supporting local farmers to promote the importance of local, non-corporate food.
15. What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery? — Install electric heating in my house!
16. Do you have a favorite quote or favorite line from a movie? — “You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
17. Describe an interesting hobby or pastime that you have. — Beekeeping. My husband and I got into it a few years ago. You do get stung from time to time, but the rewards are sweet!
