House Resolution 177

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE UNWAVERING DEDICATION, COMMITMENT TO SERVICE AND EXCEPTIONAL DISPLAY OF PROFESSIONALISM OF MRS. SHANISE BATISTE LEFLORE PROVIDED TO BLACKMON & BLACKMON, PLLC, AND ITS CLIENTELE AS A LEGAL ASSISTANT.

WHEREAS, as much as the reputation and success of a law firm is associated with the skilled expertise of the attorney's ability to provide effective assistance of counsel through the analysis and formulation arguments before a tribunal to the benefit of clients, that level of success is equally associated with the ability of the firm's staff to provide thorough, timely, efficient and scrupulously accurate assistance; and

WHEREAS, in the vein of that theory, much of the success of Blackmon & Blackmon, PLLC, is attributed to the unwavering dedication to exactness and exceptional display of professionalism of Mrs. Shanise LeFlore, who has devoted 28 years of impeccable service to the firm since joining the practice as a legal assistant in November 1995, bringing seven years of legal experience from Los Angeles, California, and currently functions as special assistant to the firm's senior partner, Edward Blackmon, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, in her role as special assistant, Mrs. LeFlore's responsibilities include: heavy public relations with clients; client interviews; ordering and obtaining all medical information; conducting legal research; drafting initial legal documents and pleadings; propounding and responding to discovery; coordinating cases; developing and organizing trial notebooks; attending trials to assist with the voir dire process, exhibit presentation; managing the mail process; maintaining the firm's master calendar; and assisting as needed in trial; and

WHEREAS, a native of New York, having spent her formative years in Rochester, Mrs. LeFlore relocated to Los Angeles, California, and attended Southwest Community College where she majored in administration of justice while participating in the Reserve Program at the Los Angeles Police Academy; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. LeFlore took additional training and courses in paralegal studies and became a certified legal assistant in 1993, before furthering her education and enhancing her professional skillset by undertaking additional courses at Tougaloo College; and

WHEREAS, prior to assuming the position as legal assistant, Mrs. LeFlore served as Blackmon & Blackmon's office manager from 2000-2001, which entailed the responsibilities of: managing office personnel; planning, organizing, directing, staffing and coordinating the office's clerical needs; ordering supplies; calculating payroll; and communicating with various vendors and clients; and

WHEREAS, an individual committed to her faith and civic obligations, Mrs. LeFlore is a faithful member of Anderson United Methodist Church, as well as a member of the Bathsheba Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, Little Rock, Chapter No. 518 and a Life Member of the NAACP; and

WHEREAS, throughout the duration of her extraordinary career of legal service, Mrs. LeFlore has managed to perfect the gift of finessing the work-life balance as a consummate professional and nurturing matriarch of her nuclear family, as the doting wife of Adam LeFlore, and proud mother of three children, Marnise, A.J. and Karli-Brooklyn, to whom she devotes her undivided love and attention, with the occasional escapes to indulge in her hobbies of interior decorating/designing and restoration of furniture; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the remarkable service of zealously dedicated professionals of Mrs. LeFlore's caliber, whose longevity and steadfast commitment to excellence are the hallmark of success:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the unwavering dedication, commitment to service and exceptional display of professionalism of Mrs. Shanise Batiste LeFlore provided to Blackmon & Blackmon, PLLC, and its clientele as a legal assistant, and extend best wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Shanise Batiste LeFlore and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.