Firm's 13-year veteran works as a litigation analyst

By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News

Donna Konopka’s position as a litigation project analyst at Nemeth Law in downtown Detroit entails wearing many hats.

“One day I may be involved in a research project, another day I may be performing a comprehensive investigation of an individual or company,” she explains. “We’re trained to support each other, so I
may also assist in case management, preparation of seminars, or filing documents with federal and state courts.”

Konopka enjoys the continually evolving facets of the legal profession. 

“As a legal professional you need to be willing to assume new responsibilities, and tackle new challenges,” she says.  “This makes each day unique and fulfilling.”

Konopka entered the legal field after her administrative position with Henry Ford Health System was eliminated in a 2002 downsizing. Landing a position as a file clerk with Nemeth Law, she quickly
became familiar with the legal process and advanced to an administrative clerk position.

“During a performance review, Patricia Nemeth said she recognized potential in me and suggested I look into paralegal classes, and this piqued my interest,” she says.

Signing up for classes at Baker College in Allen Park, Konopka completed all the required paralegal courses with a 3.8 GPA. 

“After being out of school for 25 years, I was nervous about being too old to go back,” she says. “It was a relief to find students of all ages at Baker. The courses were interesting and challenging, and I found it beneficial that the professors had been, or still were, involved in the legal field. And the class sizes were small enough to provide individualized attention.”

Konopka enjoys the camaraderie in the Nemeth Law office, where she has worked for 13 years.

“We have an incredible team of employees that work together to provide quality service to our clients,” she says.  “Part of our firm mission reads, ‘To have fun while providing the highest quality and efficient services…’  While we’re always committed to our work, we do have fun on occasions, such as monthly birthday celebrations, firm picnics, and ice cream socials.”

Another bonus is the office location in the historic Talon Centre close to downtown and on the banks of the Detroit River.

“I can look out the window and see Canada,” Konopka says. “With the River Walk right outside our door, it’s nice to be able to take a stroll at lunch time.”

Born and raised in the Downriver area, Konopka currently makes her home in Flat Rock with her husband, cats Maisey and Ellie, and Shelbi, a 6-month-old Golden Retriever.

In their leisure time, Konopka and her husband enjoy boating and riding their quads “Up North” and are avid supporters of Detroit’s Red Wings, Tigers, and Lions.

Passionate about animal welfare, Konopka currently aids in the care and adoption of cats and dogs at the Flat Rock Animal Shelter, a no-kill shelter.

She is also passionate about finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe.

“One of my best friends has this disease,” she says. “In his honor, I’ve participated in numerous CF walks and also held fund-raisers to raise money and awareness of Cystic Fibrosis.”