My Background and Focus

I’ve been with MBM since its inception, as I started with them in 1994. In the beginning, I managed reception and all the administrative tasks required by the individual lawyers and had the opportunity to get to know MBM’s people and business. When I temporarily moved to Montreal, I maintained my position with MBM and worked remotely. Randy and Scott always valued my loyalty and hard work and knew, even back then, that working remotely for some people made sense. They were kind enough to provide me with that flexibility.

For over 30 years, MBM has provided me with the most wonderful working environment. My role is constantly evolving and growing in scope, and as a result, I’m always professionally challenged. I now manage all travel needs for the firm and coordinate logistical arrangements associated with employee travel. Nobody goes anywhere without calling Sandra! I love this aspect of my job because, for me, coordinating travel plans is a personal challenge. I need to ensure everyone gets to where they need to go without a hitch, enjoys their travel experience and that their entire trip is seamless. For me, that is a job well done!

I also work closely with the marketing/business development team to help with the following:

• Organize local and international client events
• Coordinate foreign associate meetings at international conferences
• Coordinate meetings with corporate law firms and other referral sources throughout Canada
• Manage the registration process for all local, domestic and international events and conferences
• Maintain and update internal CRM databases for the marketing team and the professionals
• Maintain the firm’s memberships in international IP organizations
• Register professionals for CPD and personal development courses and track their CPD hours
• Help organize MBM’s internal social events

In my administrative role, I coordinate various internal departmental meetings and take minutes. This role helped me learn how the firm works, how each department works, and how they interact with each other.

As a boutique firm, MBM feels like a family. We look after each other and know each other well, and because of that, we can support each other personally and professionally. At MBM, you are encouraged to take the initiative, and you are supported when you bring forward new ideas or try new approaches – even if they don’t always succeed!

When I started at MBM 30 years ago, I never knew I’d have the privilege of helping plan our 25th anniversary. It was a great event and something really special to work on with our team. I also didn’t know I’d become the master of flight cancellations and rescheduling; now, flexibility is my middle name! So much has changed over the years, but my commitment has stayed the same. I am a trusted advisor to my colleagues, and they know that I’m accessible at any time, and they can always count on me. My goal is to retire as an MBM’er!

My Approach

Because I enjoy my job, the variety of tasks, the new and exciting challenges and most importantly, the people I work with, I approach each day with gratitude. I am grateful to the partners for being so accommodating and flexible with me over the years, and I appreciate the guidance and mentorship I have received from so many of the MBM staff. I know that MBM is loyal and accommodating to me, and I want to reciprocate that back tenfold, which is why I am always available to lend a hand and go the extra mile.