Staff
SANDIE DRZEWIECKI, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Sandie has been with our office since 2000. She manages staff, accounting, computers and coordinates administration for our attorneys. Sandie coordinates all the firm’s special events and charitable involvement, keeping us tightly woven to our communities.
Amanda Jaracz, Sandie Drzewiecki & Melissa Zaborowski (click for larger image)
AMANDA JARACZ, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Amanda has worked for our firm since her senior year of high school. She is now in her fifth year of college, working and attending school. Amanda manages the online inquiries, telephone inquiries, referrals and new client placement and, perhaps more importantly, has her finger on the pulse of administration to assist in accounting and computers.
Theresa Plachta, Amanda Jaracz, Erica Burnette, Shelbi Meadows, Melissa Zaborowski and Judy Raatz Not pictured: Mary Kern and Karen Webster. (click for larger image)
MARY KERN, LEGAL ASSISTANT
Mary is a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She has been the legal assistant to Eugene Petruska since 1983, specializing in negligence and no-fault claims.
KAREN WEBSTER, LEGAL ASSISTANT
Karen has been employed by Atkinson Petruska Kozma & Hart, since 1997. She is the legal assistant to Gary Kozma, specializing in workers’ compensation.
JUDY RAATZ, LEGAL ASSISTANT
Judy is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Legal Assistant’s Section. Since 1985 Judy has had the opportunity to gain vast legal knowledge, working in various capacities within the legal field. She has been legal assistant to Elaine Hart since 1998, specializing in workers’ compensation.
THERESA PLACHTA, LEGAL SECRETARY
Theresa joined our staff in 2004 to assist our legal assistants with clerical duties. She was later positioned as a legal secretary on personal injury, negligence and wrongful death cases, for Gene Petruska, Linda Atkinson and Gary Kozma. Theresa is the liaison to our Channing office, operating from our Gaylord office.
ERICA BURNETTE, LEGAL SECRETARY
Erica initially joined us in January 2007 as a “temp”. However, her knowledge and skill in medical record management made her a perfect match to the firm as a permanent employee. Most of Erica’s time is spent as Elaine Hart’s medical record manager, but she has had occasion to work for all four attorneys and each of their legal assistants.
Melissa Ranta, Linda Miller Atkinson & Abbey Rihtarshick(click for larger image)
MELISSA RANTA, LEGAL ASSISTANT
Melissa began working for Linda Miller Atkinson in August 2001. Melissa performs legal assistant and paralegal assignments in personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. Melissa also opens and maintains probate files if an estate is necessary for a client’s claim.
APKH PROUDLY SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL CO-OP PROGRAMS.
Each fall we employ a junior or senior high school student to work with us and learn entry-level office support services. Students have the ability to learn as much as they are willing and able. Our students work with us for the duration of the school year and generally ask to stay onboard throughout the summer. The position is ideal for academics who want to learn entry-level business skills, without the responsibility of working nights or weekends.
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