Murthy Law Firm Employee Profile : Donna Mayne, Office Manager

Donna Mayne started her career in the advertising industry as a proofreader and typesetter. “This was all before the Macintosh came in and changed everything. Typesetting was an art, and you had to really pay attention to the details; you had to manually space the type around pictures, and individually set the spaces between words.” Donna still pays attention to the details, as office manager for the Murthy Law Firm.

“When I started at the firm four years ago, there were maybe 45 people here. There was a lot of growth on the legal side, and we were still in the process of building up the support staff. I wore a lot of hats.” At that time, Donna says, she was heavily involved in human resources, finance, office administration, clerical services, and a host of other functions. “It was hectic for quite a while. It was crazy busy, but a good busy. I learned to establish priorities with a lot of things going on at once, and I learned about all different aspects of the firm.” Of her job now, Donna says, “I’m really a customer service person for everyone in the law firm. I make sure they have everything they need to do their jobs.”

As the firm grew, new staff members were hired. But as office manager, Donna still over sees a broad swath of the firm’s administration. Diversity of the firm’s workforce and client base make Donna’s job interesting, she says. “We have employees from so many different countries, and it’s great to get to know other cultures, and clients from all over the world. I love to travel, and love learning about other cultures. Before I was married, I traveled to other countries to see what they were like – Greece, Israel, Holland, the Bahamas. If more people got to know other cultures better, we probably wouldn’t have as many wars as we do now.”

The firm’s diversity is also a business advantage, Donna says. “Our firm is so diverse it’s a perfect match for our clientele. We can understand them and help them better, and we have a greater appreciation for what they are going through.”

Donna enjoys her work at the firm, and says this is the best job she’s ever had. “When I sit in on interviews, I tell prospective employees that this is the only job I’ve ever had where I enjoy coming into work – even on Mondays – and that’s the truth. A lot of this has to do with Sheela and Vasant. They’re very giving people, and you feel like giving back. They take bags and bags of clothing with them when they go to India, just to give away. They do so much, and the good they do is really contagious. I feel very fortunate to be here.”