Recruitment at Cooper & Kowalski LPA

Our Philosophy

We have joined together as a firm in order to associate with others who share a dedication to the highest standards of our profession. We recognize that each of us, in choosing the legal profession, has accepted the responsibility and personal demands of responding to the needs and expectations of clients. We aspire to practice with people all of us enjoy personally. We aspire to distinguish ourselves as a firm, not only by consistently adhering to the highest standards of the profession, but also by the latitude that we afford each other to realize professional and personal aspirations. Thus,

• Each of us commits to excellence in the practice of law;
• Each of us commits to discerning our clients' needs and expectations and to meeting them;
• Each of us commits to the highest standards of our profession, both in the
  ethics of our profession and in our profession's dedication to public
  service;
• Each of us commits to investing in the well-being of the legal profession
  and the community;
• Each of us commits to acting cordially among ourselves and with our staff
  and to treating one another with dignity and respect;
• Each of us commits to maintaining and perpetuating the financial welfare
  of the firm so that the firm may compensate each of us fairly for our own
  contributions to the firm's welfare and stability;

We respect that each member of the firm has individualized aspirations for both professional career and private life. We commit ourselves, therefore, to preserving freedom to control the development of our careers and, consistent with the profession we have chosen, to preserve time for a private life.

Cooper & Kowalski Associates

Cooper & Kowalski's associates enjoy a supportive environment in which to develop their skills as practicing attorneys. Associates are encouraged to try a variety of practice areas, but are free to concentrate in areas that interest them. The firm's requirement of 1,675 billable hours per year allows associates to balance their personal and professional lives and leaves time for public-service work and community activities.

"Interesting cases, outstanding colleagues, and lots of responsibility—I have never second-guessed my decision to join Cooper & Kowalski." (H. Allred)

Associates are paired with a mentor. The firm monitors each associate's exposure to the firm's various areas of practice.

The shareholder track at Cooper & Kowalski is seven years. Credit is sometimes given for previous legal experience and judicial clerkships. The firm hires and trains associates expecting that each will become a shareholder. There is no planned attrition, and associates do not compete for a limited number of shareholder positions. The absence of internal competition fosters close personal and professional relationships among the associates.

Within the first few years of practice, new associates can expect to have personal contact with clients, interview witnesses, draft pleadings and motions, take and defend depositions, engage in settlement negotiations, and participate in hearings and trials. Associates participate in weekly firm meetings. Associates are routinely involved in recruiting and other firm decisions. They have access to the firm's financial information and are encouraged to take an active role in client development. They also attend semiannually offsite meeting to review and discuss firm goals and professional objectives.

First-year associates starting in 2011 will be paid an annual salary of $67,500, plus a $5,000 graduation bonus. The firm pays the costs associated with taking the Ohio state bar exam. Additional benefits include:

• Health, life, disability, and professional liability insurance;
• Pre-tax spending account for dependent care and health care;
• Participation in the 401(k) profit-sharing plan pursuant to plan eligibility;
• Paid parking;
• Continuing Legal Education reimbursement up to $1,000 for each reporting period; and
• Professional fees, including dues for the Supreme Court of Ohio, Ohio State Bar Association, and the Toledo Bar Association.

Our Associates

• Meghan Anderson Roth
• Sarah Skow 

Recruitment Coordinator

Margaret E. Bretzloff, Esq.

Work Experience:

Cooper & Kowalski, LPA (1997-Present)
Director of Operations at the firm since 1997. Responsible for developing and enhancing operations, quality improvement programs, long-range planning, marketing and recruiting. She oversees all human resource functions including salary and benefits administration, manages all financial functions, supervises legal assistants, oversees the summer clerks program, plans for and oversees facility improvements; recommends and implements appropriate technology improvements.

Before to joining Cooper & Kowalski, Ms. Bretzloff spent 12 years in the public sector – seven in operational management and five in labor relations.

Education:

• Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan, 1984, J.D. cum laude
• Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, 1981, B.S. Sociology
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Professional Credentials:

• Toledo Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Association of Legal Administrators