Office Staff at SESG

Alicia, Office Assistant
Alicia spent most of her life traveling and spending several years living in Singapore. In 2001, she moved to Saco, Maine with her family to complete the rest of her schooling at Thornton Academy. Alicia is currently a student at the University of Southern Maine studying in Political Science/ Deaf Studies. Before joining Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey, she worked at a local amusement park for four summers and as a waitress for one and a half years at the local Olive Garden and by then needed a change and a jump-start to her career goals. When not at work, you can find Alicia spending time with her large family (including her 9 nieces and a nephew), friends, and her boyfriend.

Ashley, Office Assistant
Ashley grew up in Sanford, Maine and graduated from Sanford High School. She currently lives in Old Orchard Beach. Ashley is presently taking classes to pursue her Bachelors degree in Business Administration. Before joining the team at Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey, Ashley worked at a local Hotel as a front desk agent. Some of her hobbies include cooking, skiing, and spending time with her family.

Charlene, Bookkeeper
After being a cosmetologist for ten years, Charlene decided to change her career. In 1978 Charlene started working at Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey as a receptionist and has since worked in various capacities: from legal assistant to computer work, to bookkeeper.

Christiane, Paralegal
Christiane is a native New Yorker who recently relocated to Maine from Philadelphia. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1996 and Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Delaware in 1999. After law school, Christiane spent 2 years in Anchorage, Alaska working on the ongoing Exxon Valdez Oil Spill litigation before moving back to Pennsylvania to practice law. As an associate attorney, she worked in the environmental and toxic tort department of a large insurance defense firm in Philadelphia. As a paralegal in the Portland office of Smith Elliot Smith & Garmey, Christiane handles personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability cases.

Deb, Legal Assistant
She enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1982 and upon graduation from boot camp attended South College and received an Associates Degree and began her legal career in a small office in Savannah, Georgia. She relocated to Dallas, Texas and worked as a paralegal for a firm that specialized in toxic tort litigation and environmental law. She recently moved Maine after retiring from the Marine Corps Reserve as a First Sergeant. When she is not at work, she thinks about playing soccer and hanging out at the beach.

Jessica, Legal Assistant
Growing up in the Portland area, Jessica graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School, University of Maine-Orono and Newbury College in Brookline, MA. After spending the last ten years in retail, Jessica was ready for something new! When not working at the GAP part time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband and white lab, reading and being in the sunshine.

Judy, Paralegal
Judy graduated from Husson College in 1978 and promptly accepted a job as a legal assistant with Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey. She is proud to have worked for the firm for over twenty-five years. When she is not at work, you can find Judy spending time with her children.

Julie, Office Assistant
Julie is originally from Ohio but after enjoying summer vacations in Maine with her family, she decided to make Maine her home in 2003. Julie graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Design and holds a certificate in Layout and Production from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. After 7 years in the architecture field, Julie moved on to try other areas of interest including graphic design, investment, and working in the non-profit sector. Outside of work, Julie is passionate about ballroom dancing and travels to compete in waltz, foxtrot, tango, Viennese waltz and quickstep. She is currently President of Southern Maine USA Dance, a non-profit organization that promotes ballroom dancing.

Julie, Paralegal
Julie has lived in Maine most of her life and graduated from Casco Bay College in the top of her class in Paralegal studies. Julie has worked in the legal field since 1996 with an extensive background in litigation. In May of 2005, Julie obtained her State of Maine Private Investigator's license. In her spare time, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, son, family and friends

Karen, Legal Assistant
Karen grew up in Maine and is originally from the Auburn area. After graduating from Andover College with an Associate's degree in Paralegal studies, Karen worked in the legal field for 12 years before recently joining the Smith Elliott team. Karen spends her spare time doting on her yellow lab, spending time with her family and friends and enjoying the outdoors.

Kathy, Paralegal
Kathy is a native of Southern Maine, growing up in Sanford, and graduating from Sanford High School. She later graduated from Nasson College and Andover College. Kathy joined the team at Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey in 1986, but left us in 1996 to explore other options. After successfully managing two small law firms and a transcription company, as well as being elected to a municipal office as tax collector, Kathy has returned to the SESG team as a litigation paralegal (her first love). Kathy is an active member of NALS (an association for legal professionals) and is currently the Chapter President for NALS of Southern Maine. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys spending time with her significant other (Paul) of 18 years, her 3 wonderful children and 5-1/2 grandchildren, and family and friends.

Mary, Probate Paralegal
Mary graduated from Biddeford High School and attended courses at USM on property management, probate administration and seminars on estate administration and business writing. Before joining Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey, Mary spent ten years as a bookkeeper and three years as a legal secretary. Mary enjoys reading, gardening, spending time with her grandchildren and following their activities.

Melissa, Legal Assistant
Melissa graduated from Thornton Academy and attended Providence College, the University of Southern Maine and Andover College. When she is not at work, Melissa enjoys playing the piano, rubber stamping, crafting, reading, collecting piggy banks and amateur dog training.

Nanette, Legal Assistant
Nanette grew up in Ohio and has lived in Maine since 1973. Nan has been a legal assistant in the Portland area for 20 years. She enjoys spending time with her two grown children and 8 year old granddaughter. When Nan is not in the office, she also spends her spare time with other family and friends, gardening, decorating her home and enjoying the beautiful State of Maine.

Nohea, Legal Assistant
Nohea was born and reared on the Island of Maui, Hawaii. She graduated from Honolulu Business College and worked as a legal assistant with a large firm in Honolulu, Hawaii before crossing the Pacific Ocean to live and work in Guam, Virginia and Massachusetts. Having moved to Portland and joining Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey, Nohea now calls Maine home.

Paula, Legal Assistant
Paula is a veteran with Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey, having worked for the firm since 1978. She graduated from Casco Bay College in 1978 with an Associate's Degree as an Administrative Assistant. Paula is an active member of NALS (an association for legal professionals). Through NALS, Paula achieved the designation of Certified Professional Legal Secretary in 1996.

Stephanie, Network Administrator
Stephanie graduated from Maine Maritime Academy magna cum laude with a B.S. in Oceanography. After joining Smith Elliott Smith & Garmey as a legal assistant in 1999 and earning her Paralegal Diploma and CLA certification in 2001, Stephanie changed career paths to become our network administrator in early 2005. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending her time walking, hiking and snow shoeing.

Sybil, Legal Assistant
Sybil has worked as a legal assistant since 1987. Active in community service, Sybil enjoys working with teens. During her free time Sybil enjoys gardening, spending time outdoors and with her husband and three children.

Terri, Nurse Paralegal
Terri grew up in Massachusetts and migrated to Maine to graduate from University of Southern Maine with degrees in Nursing and Criminal Justice. Terri also attended Bentley College for paralegal studies. When she is not at work, Terri enjoys spending time with her husband and two teenage sons.