Certifications:

• Certified Legal Manager (CLM)^®, Association of Legal Administrators, 2021

Education:

• State University of New York, Agricultural and Technical College at Alfred, A.S. 1984

Areas of Responsibility:

• Financial

• Human Resources

• Organizational

• Operations

Clara Onderdonk, Certified Legal Manager (CLM)®, is a career professional legal administrator, with over 30 years at Ernstrom & Dreste, LLP. Starting as the Accounts Receivables Manager, Clara was promoted to Office Manager in 1998. She oversees and leads the overall management and strategic direction of the firm including Financial, Human Resources, Communications and Organizational, Operations, business ethics, facility and legal industry/business management.

Clara pursued advancement in legal administration expertise through her participation in the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA), with active roles of both regional and national significance. ALA is the premier professional association connecting leaders and managers within the legal industry. The organization provides extensive professional development, collaborative peer communities, strategic operational solutions, and business partner connections empowering its members to lead the business of law.

Clara is credentialed as a Certified Legal Manager (CLM)® having demonstrated, through an examination process, a mastery of the core areas of knowledge identified by the ALA as essential to the effective performance of a principal administrator.

Clara’s successful leadership, business management, and administrative skills through the years play a significant part in the realization of many of the firm’s goals, and she continues to manage the business of the firm with the highest of standards.

Professional Associations:

• Association of Legal Administrators (National):
  • Current
    • Director, ALA Board of Directors
    • Board Liaison to the Membership Development Committee
  •  Previous
    • Annual Conference Committee, 3 terms
    • Board Liaison to the Annual Conference Committee
    • ALA Nominating Committee
    • Student Scholarship Mentor, Foundation of the ALA

• Regional Nominating Committee, Chair
• Regional Nominating Committee member
• Chapter Resource Team member
• Region One Team member
• Association of Legal Administrators (Western & Central New York Chapter):
  • Past service as: Membership Officer 2 terms; President Elect; President; Past President;
  • Strategic Planning Committee Chair, 2 terms
• Society for Human Resource Management

Certifications:

• Certified Legal Manager (CLM)®
• Mental Health First Aid USA – Certified
• Lean Six Sigma – Yellow Belt

Recognitions:

• Recipient of The Daily Record’s 2019 Excellence in Law – Unsung Legal Hero Award
• ALA Outstanding Association Volunteer Award, 2014

Community and Charity Involvement:

• Town of Avon, New York, Chairperson, Board of Assessment Review
• Mercy Community Services, previous Executive Committee Member, Board Member
• National Multiple Sclerosis Society/Upstate NY Chapter – MS150 Bike Run/Bike MS Finger Lakes Challenge
• American Diabetes Association – Tour de Cure Bike Event
• Strong Memorial Hospital – Volunteer/Newborn Nursery