This event is for NJALA members and their guests only.

NJALA Virtual Monthly Meeting and Educational Session

"Leading While Grieving"

Presented by Stacey J. Ransleben, CLM and Jessica VanTroost

As legal administrators, we excel at being prepared for just about anything, but 2020 taught us that the sliding scale of "unexpected" can change quickly.  These events can include natural disasters, deaths and regional or national emergencies.  How do we, as managers, pivot to lead our organizations through an unexpected situation?  More specifically, how do we deal with the emotional consequences that stem from unforeseen change?

The global pandemic we are now facing has exposed just how vulnerable we are to life-altering unpredicted change; however, COVID-19 will not be the last unanticipated occurrence to impact our workplaces.  In an era of sudden change, legal administrators must learn to adapt with compassion and take strategic actions to prepare for an uncertain world.  Attendees will leave this session with a roadmap to help navigate their organizations through a major, and often, emotional event.

Key Outcomes & Takeaways 

• Accepting it can happen to you
• Knowing what to do if it actually does
• Taking planning one step further
• Learning how to survive

Audience Statement

We will invite others to share their stories about how they handled the emotional part of an event and the methods that worked for them.  Questions will be welcome at any time and interruptions are encouraged.

Stacey J. Ransleben, CLM started working for law firms at the age of 19 as a file clerk and worked her way up to administrator by the time she was 25.  With 35 years of experience, she is now the Director of Office Operations at Thompson & Horton LLP, leading three offices in the State of Texas.  Stacey has been a member of ALA since 2000 and has worked on the Houston chapter's Membership, Newsletter, Nominating and Retreat Committees, serving as chair for both the Newsletter and Nominating Committees, as well as the chair of the Past President's Council.  In addition to committee service, Stacey has served on the Board of Directors of the Houston chapter as Vice President, President-Elect, President and Past-President.  She has also served on the ALA Association Nominating Committee and now serves on the ALA Chapter Resource Team and the Texas State Retreat Committee.

Jessica VanTroost is a regional administrator at McGlinchey Stafford PLLC and runs the Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale and Nashville offices.  She has worked in the legal field for 15 years and has both small and large firm experience in multiple states.  Jessica has been an active ALA member since 2008 and is affiliated with the Jacksonville, South Florida and Middle Tennessee chapters.  She has held various board positions over the years and is a past president of the Jacksonville chapter.  Jessica served ALA at the international level on the 2019 and 2019 Nominating Committees and currently serves on the Membership Development Committee.  Jessica also serves on the advisory committee for the Florida State College at Jacksonville's paralegal program and is a member of Kiwanis.  She is Legal Lean Sigma White and Yellow Belt certified and has her Legal Lean Sigma Level 100 and 200 certifications.