New Member Spotlight: Joe Gorman

Meet Joe Gorman! 

Legal Administrator at Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, PC

• How/why did you come to join The Independence Chapter of the ALA?

I first became a member of the Philadelphia ALA Chapter while working at my previous firm. After transitioning to Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, I knew that joining the Independence Chapter was a no-brainer. The ALA is made up of a wonderful group of hardworking professionals. The ALA has always been an incredible sounding board regarding the daily issues that we all face as managers.

• Describe your current position with Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin.

I consider myself to be something of a jack of all trades; though we all know we are expected to be experts in all areas. More than anything I view my role as one of support.  I constantly tell our new hires that it’s my job to help them do theirs. My top priority is to assist my colleagues in overcoming unique problems so that they can focus on the task at hand. Earlier in my career I would have said that my job was to put out fires – now, I do my best to prevent them!

• How did you get into legal and why?

While a student at the University of Delaware, I worked as an intern in the accounting department at my previous firm.  The experience that I gained during those early summers in the accounting department continues to pay off dividends.  After graduation, I was offered the role of Legal Administrator. I worked in that position for the next twelve years, before eventually moving over to HRMML. Though the legal industry can be a challenging and demanding field, I take an immense pride in working alongside these accomplished professionals.

• What are your predictions/observations about the changing legal industry?

Technology is the easy answer here. The legal industry as a whole is slow to adapt to change and it’s our job as leaders to help guide our ships through these ever-changing waters. There’s no sense in shying away from change – we need to lean into it, embrace it, and ultimately leverage it to increase our competitive edge.

• Tell us a funny story from your work experience.

The first job I ever had was in an ice factory. I would spend all morning loading up the trucks and the remainder of the day would be spent replenishing the supply in the freezer. It was hard, backbreaking, and (not surprisingly) freezing work. I am thankful for those summers where I learned to appreciate a hard day’s work. Working that job provided me with an unbelievable perspective on what I wanted to do in my adult career. Whenever I catch myself complaining about paperwork or an upcoming meeting, I stop and remind myself that it sure beats being in the back of a freezer in Woodbine, NJ!

• While your're not hard at work, we can find you... 

I live in the suburbs just outside of the city. My wife Kelly and I have three beautiful kids – all of whom are under the age of four! While being a dad of three doesn’t leave much time for hobbies, I am a devoted fan of all four Philadelphia sports teams (yes, even the Flyers) and try to get down to Sea Isle City as much as possible during the warmer months; something about that salt air seems to lift my spirits.