Preparing for the CLM Journey – Helpful Tips and Tricks

Terri Oppelt, CLM, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a Director of Operations at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP in Los Angeles, CA. Terri has more than 30 years of managing and leading both small boutique firms to large national firms. She has been a speaker for various ALA webinars and over the years has volunteered for several ALA committees. Terri is a Past President of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter and currently a member of the ALA Certification Committee.  

Domicka Max, CLM is the Firm Administrator at Robinson & McElwee PLLC in Charleston, WV.  She has over 20 years of experience in law firm management. Domicka is currently the Chair of ALA’s Certification Committee, and Immediate Past President of the Cyber Chapter.

Kathryn Vidal, CLM, SHRM-CP, is a Consultant with We’re Boss, LLC, a resource for small and mid-size law firms.. She has worked in legal management since 1992 as an Administrator and Office Manager. She has served ALA in several capacities, including Vice President and President of the Houston Chapter and member and Chair of the Regional Legal Management Conference Planning Committee. She is currently a member of the Certification Committee and served on the Chapter Resource Team from 2021 – 2023. 

Stephanie R. Ransom, CLM has worked for Marshall Dennehey since 2014. She is the Office Manager of the New York City Office and assists the Roseland Office as their Assistant Manager. She is currently the Chair of the 2024-2025 Certification Committee and has been a CLM since 2009. She also is a Vice President for the ALANYC Chapter Co-Chairing the Professional Educational Team. Stephanie enjoys reading, writing, volunteering and being of service. 

Karie Rivkin, CLM, is the Chief Financial Officer for Eichelbaum Wardell Hansen Powell & Muñoz, PC. Rivkin has been a member of ALA since 2000 and a CLM since 2017. Karie has held many leadership positions in the Austin chapter and internationally, where she currently serves on the Certification Committee. Devoting her career to the legal industry, Karie appreciates innovation and collaborates with coworkers and business partners to improve the firm’s operations in all areas of law business.

Elyssa Goldstein, CLM, PHR, SHRM-CP, is the Firm Administrator of Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP, with three offices located in Central New Jersey. She served on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Chapter of ALA for eight years, including one year as President. At the Association level, Goldstein has served as Chair of the Membership Development Committee, as well as on the Certification Committee and the 2021 Annual Conference & Expo Planning Committee. She will officially join the Board of Directors this May. Goldstein graduated with a bachelor’s in music from Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. 

Clara Onderdonk, CLM, is Office Manager of Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP in Rochester, New York. Within ALA, she is Past President of the Western and Central New York Chapter, served on the Annual Conference Committee three times, Regional Nominating Committee twice, Association Nominating Committee, Student Scholarship Mentor with the Foundation of ALA, Region One Team, and Chapter Resource Team. She currently serves as a Director on ALA’s Board of Directors. 

Kathy Miller, CLM, is the Director of Operations at Hale and Iyampillai PA (dba Hale Law) in Sarasota, FL. She has over 20 years of law firm experience and 17 years in law firm management. Kathy has been a CLM Study Group leader for ALA's Cyber Chapter and is a Past President of the Cyber Chapter. Kathy has served as a New Member Ambassador for ALA and is currently a member of the Certification Committee.

Rita Nielsen recently retired as the Office Administrator of Locke Lord’s Chicago office. She is PHR and SHRM-CP certified through HRCI and SHRM. In 2007, she earned her CLM designation.

Rita became a member of the ALA in 1997. She has volunteered in numerous local activities, including HR advisory roles, positions on Professional Development committees, Community Challenge committees and has assisted with bi-annual conference planning for the Greater Chicago Chapter. At the national level, Rita has served on the Annual Educational Conference Committee, the Association Nominating Committee, Chaired a Regional Nominating Committee, has co-hosted HR Roundtable sessions at annual conference, served on the Certification Committee and has served as ALA Chicago’s CLM Director for several years. Rita has been recognized as an Outstanding Association Volunteer by ALA.

JaNae Martin is the Legal Administrator for Helmers and Associates, PLLC, a leading Domestic Relations firm in Louisville, Kentucky. She has worked in the legal field for over 20 years. She is a graduate of the University of Louisville, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Pan African Studies. 

In her current position, Ms. Martin oversees many day-to-day functions of the firm including Human Resources; Benefits; Retention and Training; Local, State, and Federal Compliance; Marketing; and Vendor Relationships. 

JaNae has been an active member of ALA since 2015, proudly serving as the 2020-2021 ALA KY Chapter President, Chair of the Membership Committee, Co-Chair of the Business Partner Committee, Previous Vice President, and currently serves as a longstanding member of the Retreat and Business Partner Committees. Currently, Ms. Martin serves as the 2024-2025 Chair of the ALA International Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility Committee. She has proudly consulted with, presented to, and assisted countless chapters and business partners alike.

JaNae hopes to continue making an impactful contribution as she eagerly works to ensure that the Association of Legal Administrators remains a home for diverse professionals from all backgrounds. 

Angelina Angelov, CLM, MBA is a legal management professional with over 20 years of experience in compliance, strategy, and leadership. An ALA member since 2010, serving on its Board of Directors (2023-2026) and has previously served in various committee roles. Office, and Compliance Manager at Russin, Vecchi & Heredia Bonetti, law firm in the Dominican Republic. First ALA International Member to become Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® in 2019, recertify in 2022. Holds magna cum laude bachelor's degree and MBA from UNIBE in the Dominican Republic. Recognized educator: Meritorious Professor in 2019, highlighted publications in 2021, and Apec University nominated for the Teaching Excellence Award at ACBSP Chicago in 2023. Since last year, also teaches at the International MBA in Law Firm Management at Facultad Baiana de Direito e Gestao, Brasil.