Profile in Inclusion

Jama Kay Emerson

In this Profile in Inclusion series, we write about diversity and inclusion in all its forms.

Ethnic and cultural backgrounds, religion and military service, sexual orientation and disabilities — we celebrate and we are all made better by being surrounded by people with unique qualities, life experiences and perspectives.

But diversity and inclusion aren’t limited to these historical categories, as critical as they are to a thriving and welcoming work environment. Those terms can also apply to each individual’s personal trajectory — their unique skill sets and talents, their professional aspirations and goals, how they see themselves in the future, and the opportunities they have to grow and become who they want to be in their careers.

Some folks have found their niche; they are exactly where they want to be, doing the work they love and have mastered through experience and hard work. Others, however, may be happy in their current roles but also feel a hunger for more: more challenges, more responsibility, more ways to contribute to the firm and its clients.

That is the diversity and inclusion we celebrate in this edition of the series, and that is the kind of diversity and inclusion that Chuhak & Tecson’s Jama Kay Emerson exemplifies.

Having spent decades in the secretarial trenches, Emerson intuitively understands what attorneys need from their assistants and what those assistants need to be successful in their roles.

“It really is like you’re juggling, trying to land a plane and staying as calm as a Buddhist monk all at the same time,” she says with a smile. “You also have to know the specific preferences and proclivities of the attorneys you’re working with, so there is a little bit of mind-reading thrown into the mix as well.”

That collection of talents, along with a friendly demeanor, a collaborative spirit and a supportive leadership style honed as a director at her local community theatre, is why Emerson was recently promoted to the position of Secretarial Services Supervisor at the firm.

“To me, moving to this position is both humbling and unsurprising,” she says. “It means that the firm’s leadership has faith and trust in my abilities and commitment, and I will strive every day to prove them right.”

The “unsurprising” that Emerson is referring to is not a commentary on her self-regard, but rather a reference to Chuhak & Tecson’s philosophy and strategy of promoting from within whenever possible.

“At every level — attorneys, paralegals, staff — you see this consistent flow of people moving up to positions of greater responsibility,” she notes. “It is an offshoot of the respect that is shown for the talent and hard work of everyone who works here. No one is seen as ‘less than,’ and if you want to be ‘more than,’ the firm wants to provide you with the opportunities to do so, even if that sometimes means creating a new position that matches someone’s unique set of skills.”

For Emerson, those skills include coordinating schedules among a large secretarial staff to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage and that every attorney has the necessary support. Her new role is also well-suited to her keen sense of attorney-assistant dynamics, while her natural friendliness and empathy allow her to serve as an effective liaison, sounding board and problem solver across teams and practice areas.

Emerson’s ability to collaborate, sense what other people need and keep a handle on a hundred different things at once is evident not only in her work at Chuhak & Tecson but also in her role as a director and actor in local theatre productions in her Northwest Indiana community.

“I’ve always been a bit of a ham. I mean, I don’t need to be the center of attention necessarily, but I certainly don’t mind it,” Emerson says with a chuckle. “I just love the rush that comes from seeing months of hard work from a talented cast come together to make something beautiful that brings joy to people. There are few feelings like it.”

Most recently, and perhaps most fondly, Emerson directed a production of Neil Simon’s “Lost in Yonkers.” Her recollections of that experience reflect how much she enjoys watching people succeed in pursuing their dreams, whether on stage or in the office.

“The play’s main characters are two young brothers, and two boys who were new to the group played them,” she recalls. “They absolutely knocked it out of the park — they just got it instinctively — and it was so amazing and inspiring to watch.”

Undoubtedly, those working with Emerson and benefiting from her encouragement, support and confidence will feel equally inspired by all she continues to accomplish.