It takes many more hands than those of a few attorneys to fight a personal injury case. Behind the scenes, an enormous amount of organization, troubleshooting, and detail work has to happen, and it is individuals like Martha Ruiz who provide that invaluable support.
Martha is one of the longest-standing employees at Rodriguez & Associates, having joined the firm in 1985. Over the years, she has worn many hats and performed many jobs, including time as a senior paralegal as well as her current position as office manager. On any given day, Martha can be found troubleshooting at the front desk, answering questions for both clients and attorneys, and providing ongoing training for the firm’s staff.
But regardless of the task at hand, Martha sees a sense of purpose in her work that hasn’t wavered since it originally attracted her to Rodriguez & Associates more than three decades ago.
A big part of her loyalty to the firm comes from Daniel Rodriguez and his staff’s approach to their clients. Atypical to a lot of law firms, Rodriguez & Associates maintains relationships with its clients that extend beyond simply settling a personal injury case or taking it to the courtroom. Those who work at the firm, whether as attorneys or in roles like Martha’s, build family-like relationships with their clients that last long after a case is wrapped. Martha likens this process to taking a journey with the client, one in which she and the rest of the staff get to see not just the close of the case but also what happens to the people in the years that follow.
Martha says that over the years she has watched clients who came to the firm as victims of tragedy and life-altering injuries evolve over time to lead their best lives possible. Talking to them periodically, seeing them return to the firm to say hello and share their lives’ details, helps to keep her motivated and her outlook positive.
Watching the stories of these people unfold and getting to play a role in their resolution has, she says, changed the way she views the world. It has helped her to stay humble and not to take things for granted.
She has also had the privilege of watching many staff members at Rodriguez & Associates grow over the years. Having been with the firm for so long, Martha has seen it expand from just a few individuals to over 20 people. It is rewarding for her to see those she initially hired and trained grow over the years. At the same time, she believes the firm has a knack for choosing people that value and respect one another and are committed to each other and to their clients.
One of her favorite things about her job is that it lets her interact with many different types of people. This exposure to people and events she might not have otherwise encountered also has a positive effect on her worth ethic and overall motivation at the firm.
As she celebrates 35 years at Rodriguez & Associates, Martha continues to find positive influence and inspiration in the people she meets and the stories she gets to be a part of along the way.