September 2025: 

The MLO Minute: “Jan Hardy, Our Incredible Office Manager–A Note of Gratitude” — 

By Dennis McAndrews, Esq., Founder and Managing Partner Emeritus — 

The late-night talk show host, Jack Parr, said that “The Lord takes care of widows, orphans, and Jack Parr.” I could use the same phrase, inserting Dennis McAndrews for Jack Parr. This is especially true this month as our law firm recognizes the 30th anniversary of Jan Hardy working with our legal family. In September 1995, I left the District Attorney’s Office to embark upon full-time private practice with four very young children (Caitlin, Allyson, Jacqueline, and Brianna– my wife Liz gets the credit for raising these four wonderful women). I was frankly very nervous, as for the first time in my career I would have no salary, support staff, or health benefits, as well as all the other many costs of running a law practice.

I needed a paralegal to assist me, and due to limited finances, I advertised to hire a part-time employee. Through Devine Providence (or “God-incidence”-a play on word for “coincidence”) Jan Hardy was looking for a new position after many years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office followed by some time in private firms. When Jan applied, I called one of her attorney references to ask if I should hire her, and I could almost feel that attorney reach through the phone line (it was before cell phones…), grab my neck, and insist “Hire her! You’ll never regret it and it’s like having another lawyer in the office!”

So Jan was hired as my “part-time” paralegal, supposedly to work 25 hours per week. I soon realized that 25 hours per week for Jan was actually many more hours a week, so she quickly became a full-time employee.

Fast-forward 30 years, and as our firm has grown to 30 lawyers/support staff with multiple offices and more complex issues, Jan has always been the anchor for all of us. She is now our Office Manager, where no major firm decision is made without her input. There are not enough words for me, my colleagues, and my family to express our admiration and gratitude to Jan for her dedication to our clients, her loyalty to colleagues, her concern for persons in need, and her commitment to our firm’s culture of decency and professionalism.

We can’t thank Jan enough for everything she has done for our legal family.  Without her steady hand, constant wisdom, and incredible skills, our firm could never have grown and our accomplishments would not have been remotely possible. Jan has enthusiastically watched my four daughters grow into adulthood, and having Jan in all our lives is a great joy and comfort for us all.

Thank you, Jan!