Generations of Commitment: When Supporting Lawyers Becomes a Family Tradition

At many law firms, employees come and go. Attorneys build résumés, staff members move between offices, and turnover is often treated as unavoidable in the legal profession. At John J. Malm & Associates, we have built something different.

For decades, our firm has been defined not only by the clients we serve, but by the people who choose to build their careers, and in many cases, their lives, here. Some employees have spent the majority of their professional careers with our firm. Others have watched family members follow in their footsteps.

That kind of continuity is rare in the legal profession. To us, it is one of our greatest strengths.

A Career Destination, Not a Temporary Stop

Personal injury law is demanding work. Clients come to us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and helping them requires not only legal skill, but compassion, patience, and trust. That kind of work cannot be built overnight.

It requires attorneys and staff members who know one another well, who understand the firm’s standards and values, and who are committed to working together over the long term. At John J. Malm & Associates, our team brings together more than 100 years of combined legal experience representing injured individuals and families throughout Illinois.

But experience is more than years on a résumé. Experience means institutional knowledge. It means attorneys and staff who have handled thousands of cases together, refined systems together, solved problems together, and supported clients together for decades. It means clients benefit from consistency, collaboration, and relationships that have been built and strengthened over time.

Most importantly, it means clients are supported by people who genuinely care, not just about the outcome of a case, but about the people behind it.

A Mother-Daughter Duo Who Have Made Supporting Our Team a Family Tradition

Perhaps no story reflects our culture better than that of Rene’ Jurkowski and her daughter, Margo Leibendguth. For the past 23 years, Rene’ has served as John Malm’s secretary and an essential part of the firm’s daily operations. Over more than two decades, she has been far more than a longtime employee. She has been a trusted colleague, a steady presence for clients, and part of the foundation that has helped support the attorneys and legal staff serving injured clients every day. As Rene’ prepares for retirement, we are deeply grateful for her years of dedication, professionalism, and loyalty to the firm.

At the same time, we are proud to have already welcomed her daughter, Margo Leibendguth, to the firm. Over the past year, Rene’ and Margo have worked side by side as Margo learned not only the responsibilities of the position, but also the values, professionalism, and client-centered approach that have defined her mother’s remarkable career.

What has made the transition especially meaningful is how remarkably alike the two of them are. Their professionalism, warmth, work ethic, and attention to detail are strikingly similar. A recent studio photograph of Rene’ and Margo together captures that connection perfectly. More than a mother and daughter resemblance, it reflects a passing of knowledge, values, and commitment from one generation to the next. There is something deeply meaningful about that transition.

In many workplaces, employment is transactional. But when a mother spends more than two decades helping support a team of attorneys, and then proudly helps train her daughter to continue that same work, it says something important about the culture of the organization.

It speaks to trust. It speaks to stability. And it speaks to the idea that supporting clients and supporting the lawyers who fight for them can itself become a family tradition.

At a firm with more than 100 years of combined attorney experience, that kind of continuity matters. Great legal representation is never the work of attorneys alone. Behind every successful case is a team of dedicated professionals whose experience, organization, communication, and commitment help clients feel supported from beginning to end.

People like Rene’ helped build that foundation for more than two decades. Now, Margo is helping carry it forward into the next generation.

A Culture Built on Loyalty and Trust

The longevity of our team members is not accidental. It reflects years of mutual respect, shared purpose, and commitment to one another. At John J. Malm & Associates, every member of the team plays an important role in helping clients navigate difficult circumstances. From attorneys to support staff, we understand that the quality of representation clients receive depends on strong collaboration behind the scenes.

Because people stay, relationships deepen. Knowledge is passed down. Systems improve instead of constantly restarting. Clients are greeted by familiar voices and supported by professionals who understand both their case and the values of the firm.

That stability creates a better experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

John Malm believes the strength of the firm has always come from the people who dedicate themselves to serving its clients and supporting one another: “Every lawyer and every staff member at this firm means something to me personally. I have always believed that the strength of this firm comes from the people who choose to dedicate their time, talent, and energy to serving our clients and supporting one another every day. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful for every person who has made the choice to serve this firm and the clients who place their trust in us. I am deeply honored that Rene’ chose to dedicate more than two decades of her career to our team, and equally honored to welcome Margo as part of the next generation of the firm. Seeing a mother and daughter share this same commitment to our clients and our mission is something truly special.”

John J. Malm & Associates: More Than a Law Firm

Over the years, John J. Malm & Associates has become more than a successful personal injury law firm. It has become a place where people build careers, invest in one another, and create lasting professional relationships that sometimes feel more like family than business.

As we celebrate Rene’ Jurkowski’s remarkable 23-year career and welcome Margo Leibendguth into the next chapter of the firm’s story, we are reminded that the strongest organizations are not built only on results.

They are built on people. And we could not be happier to continue building that future together.