WTO Work Anniversaries: Celebrating the Dedication and Memories Behind Milestones

WTO is celebrating many employee work anniversaries in 2024.

"Whether someone has spent five or 25 years at WTO, it is important to pause and recognize the tremendous dedication and hard work of our team,” says WTO Managing Partner Mike Williams. “We thank them for not only choosing WTO, but choosing to stay at WTO. And we thank them for moving the firm forward each and every day.”

Williams observes that, in a 26-year-old firm with just over 100 staff members, 10 of them already have served for 20 years or longer. "I don't know what the industry average is, but that strikes me as a remarkable affirmation for the workplace we have created here."

At a recent celebratory luncheon, firm management recognized 24 staff members who have spent 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25+ years at WTO. Facilities Manager Laurie Dittbrenner received the inaugural Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell Founders Award, which recognizes annually one employee who embodies the firm’s core values of excellence, collegiality, volunteerism, and inclusion, among others, and who inspires colleagues through good citizenship. 

Celebrants reflected on the memories behind their milestones. 

In the 17 years Kim Creasey has been a legal secretary at the firm, social activities have built her highlights. She had fun on the WTO cabbage ball team when she first started. Take-your-kid-to-work day, Rockies games, and associates dressing as elves during the holidays also top her list. “WTO is like a family. I love that I work with a close-knit group,” Kim says.

Paralegal Michelle Cole says her team has been the best part of working at WTO for 10 years. The intensity of working on trials bonds her group, which includes lawyers and legal secretaries. “Every trial, win or lose, there’s a significant moment that we all talk about forever.”

Legal Secretary Claudia Jones has spent a decade at WTO and is grateful for opportunities to get to know colleagues throughout the firm. “Service projects, such as serving lunch at a church or the Denver Rescue Mission, gave me chances to work with people at WTO I otherwise wouldn’t know. And that led to some strong relationships.”

WTO recognizes the following work anniversaries this year.

5 Years

From Left to Right: Kelly Schulte, Legal Secretary; Gala Lescano, Legal Secretary; and Natalie Head, Administrative Manager. Not Pictured: Kecia Licausi, Paralegal; and Roxie Olm, Payroll Coordinator.  

10 Years

From Left to Right: Claudia Jones, Legal Secretary; and Michelle Cole, Paralegal. Not pictured: Shari Wall, Paralegal.

15+ Years

From Left to Right: Stephen Winiarski (17 years), Paralegal; Kim Creasey (17 years), Legal Secretary; Julie Christman (19 years), Legal Secretary; Colleen Egan (15 years), Legal Secretary; Trish Duggan (15 years), Billing Specialist; and Chris Keitlen (16 years), Legal Assistant. 

20+ Years

From Left to Right: Kurt Halvorsen (20 years), Paralegal; Jenny Pointer (22 years), Executive Assistant; and Kristina Sun (23 years), Paralegal. 

25+ Years

From Left to Right: Maylene Stampfl (26 years), Accounting Specialist; Esme Zavala (25 years), Facilities and Hospitality Coordinator; Laurie Dittbrenner (25 years), Facilities Manager; Terri Schechter (26 years), Litigation Support Manager; Tina Baumgard (26 years), Accounting Supervisor; and Cary Allen (26 years), Paralegal. Not pictured: Deb McGuire (26 years), Paralegal.