Isabel Lima, office manager at the HLS WilmerHale Legal Services Center in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, received the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Appreciation Award during Class Day exercises on May 29. She was selected by the Class of 2013 for going above and beyond in assisting the many students who pass through the WilmerHale center, helping the organization to run effectively, as well as acting as a liaison to the many Spanish-speaking clients and neighbors in the community.
As one student from the Class of 2013 stated, “Isabel is the heart and soul of the legal services center. From for making sure each student is prepared from the day they set foot in the clinic, to translating for Spanish-speaking clients, and keeping our cases organized, there is no one who demonstrates more commitment to clinical education and our many needy clients than Isabel.”
Lima joined the WilmerHale center as a receptionist in 1980. Over the years her responsibilities have increased. As office manager they now include case file management, providing administrative services for students, and assistance in navigating complicated case management procedures. She also works closely with HLS Facilities Maintenance and outside contractors on all aspects of facility management for the building.
Lima is the 18th recipient of the staff award and the eighth since it was renamed for the late Suzanne Richardson, dean of students at HLS from 1993 to 2004. The award is given each year to a member of the staff who demonstrates commitment to the student experience and concern for students’ lives and work at HLS.