Legal secretary Mary Kanas will celebrate a special anniversary this month - 50 years of continuous service at the same law office in Beaver Dam. Kanas started working after school and on weekends when she was 16 years old. The firm has changed leadership five times during her tenure. When asked about retirement, Kanas says, "Why retire? I love working, and I love my job."
Legal secretary celebrates 50 years at firm, no plans to retire
Legal secretary Mary Kanas will celebrate a special anniversary this
month - 50 years of continuous service at the same law office in Beaver
Dam. Kanas started working after school and on weekends when she was 16
years old. The firm has changed leadership five times during her tenure.
When asked about retirement, Kanas says, "Why retire? I love working,
and I love my job."
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Mary Kanas (left) and Joanne Cupery
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"In 1998, when Attorney Jim Yanikowski announced he was retiring, I
considered it, to spend more time with my four grandchildren and two
great grandchildren - and to play golf," says Kanas. But her vision of
retirement was short-lived. When Atty. Joanne Cupery, who worked with
Yanikowski, decided to take the practice into the next millennium, Kanas
decided to make the leap with her.
"The firm name and leadership have changed a few times over the
years, but I have been very fortunate and always have been part of a
great team," says Kanas.
This is not the first time Kanas was recognized as an important asset
to the team. So the firm would not lose her, Kanas worked part-time from
home while raising her two preschool-aged children from 1957 - 64.
According to Cupery, who has worked with Kanas for 25 years, "Mary's
reputation is so solid and strong that local attorneys and their staff
will occasionally call our office and ask for Mary to get answers to tax
law and probate questions. When Mary agreed to stay with me, she had
only one stipulation - that she could golf whenever and as often as she
likes. That's a small price to pay to keep her here."
How will Kanas celebrate her anniversary? "That's easy," she says.
"I'll go to work."
Wisconsin Lawyer
