 Jeff Hamrick's Presidential Philosophy
By: Melanie Kowal
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Incoming Atlanta ALA president Jeff Hamrick has big shoes to fill. Following a string of successful leaders, he approaches his term with high expectations and a bit of trepidation. His philosophy on making it as president?
"Survival," Hamrick states bluntly. "My job is to survive the year without being impeached - or going bankrupt. Part of me is thinking, 'Why am I doing this?'"
Despite his modesty, rumor has it Hamrick is actually qualified for the role. As a successful office administrator, two-time chapter vendor director and current vice president, becoming president was just a matter of time. Hamrick claims that he arrived late to a meeting one day and discovered he'd been elected in his absence. Unlikely.
Joking aside, Hamrick gives sober contemplation to the past presidents' accomplishments. He's very complimentary of the role they have played in shaping the Atlanta chapter and creating a place where professionals in the legal field can thrive. He plans to continue building on the chapter's solid foundation, maintaining its platinum designation and reputation as the premier source of peer interaction and professional resources in the legal community. Hamrick is focused on booking quality speakers and providing the best educational programs for members.
"We also want to grow on the technology side, if we can," Hamrick states. "As a local chapter, we don't have a lot of tech people. That would be a great bonus."
Having worked as a systems administrator in a former life, Hamrick knows a thing or two about technology. He began his law firm career while completing the evening program at Georgia State University. Upon graduation, Hyatt & Rhoads, the firm for which he was working, offered him a position as the systems administrator and head of the billing department. Hamrick loved the job and firm, and continued on even after the firm split in 1991. After working at Hyatt & Rhoads for over nine years, Hamrick transitioned to the splinter firm Weissman Nowack Curry & Wilco, P.C.
"I started working there in the same capacity, as systems administrator. Soon thereafter, the current office administrator retired, and I was asked to take her role."
Hamrick had already shouldered some of the office administrator's duties before switching jobs, so it was a smooth, natural transition. He was the partners' top candidate for the role; no doubt their support reinforced his decision to make the move. Hamrick was lucky in that he did not experience any resistance from staff when he shifted from peer to administrator. In fact, most of the staff had already viewed him as a leader in the firm. During his 10-year stay at Weissman Nowack Curry & Wilco, P.C., Hamrick witnessed the firm expand from 18 attorneys to 65.
In 2005, Hamrick, like many of his presidential predecessors, made a difficult career decision. Looking for a new challenge, he made the move to Epstein Becker & Green, P.C., where he currently serves as office administrator of the 57-attorney branch office. Moving from a mid-sized Atlanta firm to the branch office of a national firm with over 380 attorneys has not been without its obstacles. Hamrick has had to become accustomed to looking to the firm's home office when making decisions instead of doing so on his own. But every move comes with sacrifices, and every firm operates differently.
Hamrick has quickly mastered the dynamics of his new firm and thoroughly enjoys the office administrator role. His long history working at law firms provides him unique insight when dealing with personnel at all levels.
"The beauty of it is, I started making deliveries at firms. I came up through the ranks over the years. I've done just about every job, from working behind the copier to answering the switchboard and doing computer requests late at night," he says. "I bring a different approach to my job and I think it helps me."
Since joining the ALA in 1999, Hamrick has shared his experiences with other chapter members. Like them, he appreciates being able to talk with peers in the industry, sharing problems and solutions. Having that resource at his fingertips assists him in his daily work-life balance struggle. If he encounters a new issue, chances are someone has dealt with something similar and can give advice - or at the very least a sympathetic ear.
"This year is especially significant for the Atlanta chapter," Hamrick says. "We're celebrating our 30th anniversary. I hope I can continue what our past presidents have done and make this a great year."
With Hamrick's list of past accomplishments, that should not be a difficult task.
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