Conn Maciel Carey LLP, a boutique law firm with national practices in labor and employment, workplace safety (OSHA and MSHA), and litigation, welcomes Mikel Smith Koon in the new position of Chief Operating Officer.

Ms. Koon brings over 20 years of experience in business management, working with both large corporations and small businesses. For 15 of those years, she ran her own consulting firm, using her expertise in project and people management to service her clients. As Conn Maciel Carey’s COO, she manages essential business processes, ensuring the efficiency of the firm’s business functions. More importantly, she fills a new role made necessary by the firm’s significant growth.

“Being a relatively young firm,” says Eric Conn, Chair of the firm’s OSHA Practice, “we’ve graduated from a startup to an established, national firm. We’ve tripled in size. So, we need someone with the talent, experience and savvy to manage the firm’s growingly complex operations.”

As part of the leadership team, she works directly with the Managing Partners to develop and implement the firm’s strategic plan to elevate CMC to the next level.

“In this new position, I play a key role in fostering business growth by leading the partners through planning, building a structure, and developing new processes and procedures that we have not had before at the firm. With change, comes risk and uncertainty, but the leadership is ready to embrace new ideas,” which Ms. Koon points out is important when establishing a new position such as COO.

With more than 10 years’ experience in law firm administration, Ms. Koon brings a fundamental set of skills that is conducive to all aspects of the firm’s business functions, including administrative operations.  While in startup mode, attorneys were managing firm operations in addition to meeting the needs of the firm’s clients.  “They are happy to have me oversee the administrative side of the house so they can focus more of their attention on the core business of the firm,” she says.

“Ms. Koon is exactly what we need,” says Kara Maciel, Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment Practice. “She brings strategic planning, organizational skills, and the talent to manage people and business operations. She’s adding the systems, processes, and infrastructure the firm needs as the firm transitions to the next phase.”

While the firm recognizes that organizational change is imperative to growth, CMC strongly values the tight-knit and familial workplace culture that has been a cornerstone of the firm. “I’m excited about joining a group that is so collaborative and supportive!” says Ms. Koon. “It is crucial that we preserve our collegial atmosphere. A rapidly growing business is full of adjustments, but we are up for the challenge.”

Here is a link to a press release issued by the Firm about this exciting development.