At DeFur Voran, we believe that the heartbeat of any successful organization lies within its dedicated team members. This week, we’ll celebrate Administrative Professionals Day. We want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on some of the people who keep our operations running smoothly day in and day out. Join us as we celebrate and express our gratitude to the amazing staff members who make our workplace truly exceptional.

Hayley Painter and Sean Orlosky are two of the unsung heroes who play pivotal roles in our success.

Hayley Painter – Legal Assistant/Paralegal, New Castle

What do you enjoy most about working at DeFur Voran, and what sets it apart from others? – What I enjoy most about working at DeFur Voran is the diversity of practice and the different types of law I get to experience on a daily basis. What sets DeFur Voran apart from others are the relationships that are formed not only with my coworkers but the attorneys I work closely with on a daily basis.

Who or what inspires you in your work? – The attorneys I work with in the New Castle Office, Jon Madison, Jim Millikan, David Brock and Christi Brock, and my right hand man at the front desk, Laura Hoover, inspire me. They are all super supportive of me in not only my professional life but my personal life as well and they are always there whenever I need them whether that be to answer questions, explain something to me, or just be there in general if I ever need anything.

What initially attracted you to work at DeFur Voran? – What initially attracted me to work at DeFur Voran was the people. I was in the process of getting two paralegal certifications and I knew Jon and David while I was growing up and always thought so highly of them, so it just made sense to reach out to them about possibly finding my footing in the legal world through DeFur Voran. I am now getting ready to celebrate my 3rd year working for DeFur Voran and I could not think of a better place to be!

Outside of work, how do you like to recharge and relax? – I enjoy spending time with my 4-year-old German Shepherd Pudge, going on hikes/walks, I love spending time at the baseball diamonds to watch my nephews, spending time with friends and family, exploring/trying new wineries and breweries, or snuggling up with a good true crime book.

Can you share a fun fact about yourself that your colleagues might not know? – Everyone in the New Castle Office knows this, but I am a Dog Mom to my core (totally obsessed with my sweet boy).

Sean Orlosky – Legal Assistant, Muncie

What do you enjoy most about working at DeFur Voran, and what sets it apart from others? – There is a very special team of people here at DeFur Voran that makes it an absolute pleasure to be a part of this team. As to what sets the office apart from others, DeFur Voran has been in operation for over a century, and I don’t think that’s any accident. The success of the institution is directly attributable to the fact that this office has a history of utilizing outstanding people who care about doing good work, as well as taking advantage of the latest technologies and resources to best serve our clients. Those factors are prime motivation to add to that legacy in the best ways I can do.

Who or what inspires you in your work? – The team of attorneys, staff and legal assistants here at the office set a very high bar for quality and professionalism that is definitely inspiring to be around. They also happen to be genuinely good people, and it’s easy to want to do the best job you can when you have caring, invested and talented folks on your team. Iron sharpens iron. Terrific colleagues make me a better, more effective worker.

What values do you think are most important for success in the legal industry? – The ability to stay on top of multiple matters at once is definitely a big one. Transparency, concision and open communication with clients, attorneys and court systems all factor into making any case run as smoothly as possible. Above all, one has to keep in mind that every matter they are working on is probably the most important thing in somebody’s life at that given time, and it is a major responsibility- and certainly a privilege- to try to help a client through their particular situation.

How does DeFur Voran foster a sense of community among employees? – DeFur Voran is very enthusiastic about celebrating its employees, from birthdays to work anniversaries to special events happening in their lives. We’re also encouraged to take part in office-wide events as a group, with activities as diverse as basketball games to theatergoing to special fundraisers such as the recent Habitat for Humanity breakfast luncheon and last year’s “Girlhood- It’s Complicated” exhibit at the Minnetrista Museum & Gardens. These opportunities give us a chance to bond as a group outside of work, and to enjoy the best of what our community has to offer.