By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Law firms are not only home to attorneys, legal assistants and paralegals – they also often have administrators.
Tony Palmer-Peterson has held that role for nearly three years at the criminal defense law firm of Chartier and Nyamfukudza P.L.C. in Okemos, spearheaded by partners Mary Chartier and Takura Nyamfukudza—and was honored with the Michigan Lawyers Weekly “Unsung Heroes Award” last summer.
“This was a complete surprise—it felt good knowing the partners and my co-workers took the time to nominate me for the award,” Palmer-Peterson says. “Mary and Takura truly appreciate and recognize the importance of their support staff. It’s nice to know you’re valued, and that makes you want to do your best to help the firm succeed.”
Landing an administrative position with the firm—that also has an office in Grand Rapids—was pure serendipity.
“I totally fell into this world,” Palmer-Peterson says. “I was working for a local payday loan company, which is a depressing job, and wanted to try something new. My friend Lizzy Cary, who had recently been promoted to paralegal, told me her former position as receptionist/legal assistant had opened as a result—and I took a chance.
“My job is to run the day-to-day business side of the firm so Mary and Takura can focus on our clients. I do light bookkeeping, human resources, payroll, invoicing, and I meet with Mary and Takura monthly to discuss the health and growth of the firm. I’m also the go-to when we’re having tech issues and make sure the office is well stocked with supplies and snacks. I think my favorite part though, is putting my design skills to work and decorating our offices. “
A former student at Lansing Community College and a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Palmer-Peterson notes an administrator’s job is to make everyone else’s job easier.
“Unless you’re an attorney/administrator or paralegal/administrator, it’s rare that you will bill—therefore, you want to make sure the attorneys and billable staff have what they need to do their jobs,” he says. “Also, you’ll be the go-to person whenever something goes awry—so hone those problem-solving skills.
A life-long resident of the state capital, Palmer-Peterson refers to Lansing as a “Goldilocks” city—“Not too big, not too small,” he says. “I feel like Lansing and the surrounding area is going through a renaissance right now—there’s always something new popping up.”
In his leisure time, Palmer-Peterson enjoys crafting, cooking, gaming and quilting — something he and his husband Dale bonded over early in their relationship and continue to do today, when time allows.
The couple, who share their home with two dogs, Bowtie the Morkie and Ruby the Collie, purchased a fixer-upper on the northwest side of Lansing last year and that has been their main focus of late.
“It’s like the ultimate crafting project—there’s always something to do,” he says.
“Once the house is pretty much done, Dale and I will be able to shift gears and get back to hosting theme parties for our family and friends. In the past we’ve thrown a Make Your Own Grilled-Cheese Party, Gingerbread House Decorating Party, and celebrated National Watermelon Day. Most of all, I look forward to getting back into quilting.”
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