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Suzette Welling, CLM, is the President and founder of Law Practice Edge, LLC. It has long been her passion to take the knowledge and experience she has gained over decades and create a business where small law firms and new law firm managers can benefit from her experience and abilities.

EXPERIENCE

Suzette has been managing law firms since 1996. In her most recent roles as Chief Administrative Officer of the firms she managed, Suzette oversaw the administrative operations, including finance, human resources, information technology, communications, client relations, professional development, recruiting, and facilities. She worked closely with the other members of the firms’ leadership teams to facilitate best practices and execute the firms’ operational objectives, focusing on improving efficiencies and the effectiveness of the firms’ operations and processes.

Suzette brings to Law Practice Edge and its clients a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Her career in the legal industry has spanned three decades, with twenty 25 of those years in the area of legal management. Her experience includes overseeing all aspects of Finance, Human Resources, Operations Management, Marketing, and Strategic Planning.

Suzette enjoys using the skills and knowledge she has accumulated over the past 25 years to help meet the unique needs of each law firm she consults with through fractional management services. She also enjoys helping firm managers grow in their knowledge and expertise through her online courses as well as providing one-on-one training. She is excited to have put together a team of other experienced managers work together in supporting the needs of the clients of Law Practice Edge.

HONORS

Suzette’s financial strengths and performance earned her the 2009 Tampa Bay Business Journal CFO of the Year Award. In 2018, she earned her Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® designation, a title that requires an in-depth knowledge of the many facets of law firm management. The education and testing required to pass the CLM®exam demonstrates a mastery of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to operate at a high level of expertise in the field of legal management. In addition, Suzette has earned certifications as a Legal Management Finance Specialist and a Legal Management HR Specialist through the Association of Legal Administrators.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

• Suncoast Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators
  • Board of Directors, Chair – Newsletter (2018-Present)
  • Board of Directors, Secretary (2006-2008)
• Albany Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators (2000-2005)
  • Board of Directors, Secretary (2003-2005)
• International Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), Member
• American Bar Association, Practice Management Section
• Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM)

PUBLICATIONS

• Your New Client Requires LEDES e-Billing – Now What? Lakeland Bar Association Journal, November 2021
• Building a Better Budget, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, April 2021
• Help New Employees Succeed With a Good Onboarding Protocol, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, January 2020
• Ten Ways to Improve Billable Hours, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, November 2019
• Cost Accounting in Law Firms, Lakeland Bar Association Journal, August 2019

Stephanie Bakker is the firm’s Director of Marketing and Project Management. Stephanie has enjoyed an impressive career spanning over 25 years, working across a range of industries including law, private sector organizations, broadcasting, and the arts. Her experience has allowed her to develop into an exceptional brand, marketing, and communications professional with proven operational and project management competencies. Stephanie’s expertise lies in her ability to create and execute strategies that effectively convey a company’s message to its target audience, manage brand identities, implement successful marketing campaigns, and create compelling content to help organizations achieve their objectives.

Stephanie’s success is a result of her hard work, dedication to excellence, and lifelong learning mindset. Her innate curiosity drives her to stay up to date with industry developments and explore innovative approaches to support her clients’ objectives. Stephanie is a versatile communicator, connector, producer, marketer, leader, manager, and speaker.

In her personal life, Stephanie finds joy in life’s simple pleasures. She enjoys lattes, spending time with her rescue pup, and relishing the finer moments with great whiskey. When she’s not supporting live music, she can often be found with a camera and a book while enjoying the majestic Rocky Mountains near her Southern Alberta home or soaking up the sun and surf in Florida.

Stephanie is a true embodiment of creativity, expertise, and community engagement. Her unwavering dedication to her craft, commitment to clients, and passion for making a difference in the world define her as a standout brand marketing and communications professional. By enriching the lives of those she encounters, she proves to be an asset to any project or organization and a remarkable individual.

Brenda Perez
Legal Assistant

Brenda has proven herself to be an invaluable asset in the legal field. Her proactive approach and exceptional problem-solving skills can be instrumental in navigating scenarios. She thrives on continuous improvement, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in every aspect of her work.

Brenda possesses a remarkable blend of individual prowess and collaborative efficiency. Her ability to work seamlessly within a team, coupled with her individual initiative, makes her a standout legal assistant. She is adept at managing a diverse range of legal tasks, consistently delivering results that exceed expectations.

Her experience at a globally renowned law firm has equipped her with a deep understanding of legal processes and a keen insight into client needs. Brenda’s dedication, coupled with her comprehensive skill set, ensures she is a vital contributor to any legal team.

Tina Bough
Director of Client Services

Tina has fifteen years of experience in the legal industry. As an immigration paralegal for a national agency, she was solely responsible for the proper handling of Visa-dependent employees. She has significant experience in drafting company policies and procedures, managing complex case files, and training of personnel. She has also served as a frequent guest speaker in immigration compliance and proper hiring practices.

In addition to her experience in immigration work, Tina has several years of experience as a litigation paralegal, including drafting and filing pleadings, reviewing medical records and drafting medical record chronologies, and preparing damages summaries for trial / settlement preparation, among many other things. She was also responsible for recruiting, training, and overseeing staff, billing, and other responsibilities inherent in the administration of a law firm.

In addition to her experience in the legal industry, Tina is a licensed realtor, providing our client real estate firms with the benefit of working with someone who is very knowledgeable in their industry.

Tina’s vast experience in the legal industry, coupled with the high level of trust she has earned through outstanding performance throughout her career, makes her an exemplary asset to our clients.

Margaret Burke, CLM
HomeOur TeamMargaret Burke, CLM

Consultant
Margaret Burke has decades of experience consulting with lawyers, partners, and small to midsize law firms. She specializes in managing operations, finance, HR, IT, and business development to improve law firm operations, streamline processes and scale revenue. She has advised and led acquisitions, relocations, succession planning, restructuring and start-ups.

Margaret’s experience includes helping to launch and build a startup providing consulting services to law firms. She also served as CEO and member of the Executive Committee at a Boston based law firm.

Margaret earned her MBA at Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University, she is a CLM Certified Legal Manager and Certified Professional Coach. She is the recipient of the Excellence in the Law in Firm Administration and Operations Honoree. She is a proud member of the ALA, Association of Legal Administrators, and current member of the ALA’s Program’s Committee.

Margaret is truly passionate about partnering with Law Firm leaders to help each practice achieve their goals. She loves a challenge and as a lifelong learner, prioritizes her professional development to ensure she brings the best to her clients and their firms.

When not working, she can be found cooking fun and funky vegan cuisine, mastering her latest kitchen gadget, taking a barre class, on a day trip or traveling internationally with her husband.