Sonia Ann Jimenez recognizes the work of Gretchen Haupt Hawkins
Sonia A. Jimenez
Interlibrary Loan Librarian
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
New York, NY
Gretchen Haupt Hawkins has been the Manager of Legal Reference here at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP for seven years. Prior to arriving here in 2001, she held similar positions in the libraries of Stroock,Stroock & Lavan and Simpson,Thacher & Bartlett.
When I was originally hired by this firm in 2000, my knowledge of legal research was very limited. The person who was to be my supervisor had actually accepted a position at another firm and left two months into my tenure.
Fortunately for me, Ms. Haupt was extremely patient. She took time out of her busy day for several weeks to not only teach me the basics of legal research but to encourage me into becoming active in the legal research community.
I have no doubt that the majority of my research skills were gained in those early “teaching” sessions with Ms.Haupt. Later, when I started to complete research projects on my own, she always made herself available to answer questions and for general support.
She is very well respected by our staff and by librarians at other firms that have had the privilege to work with her. She enjoys her work and brings an aura of quiet confidence to it. One of her best qualities is her ability to multi-task her way through a hectic day with a smile on her face. Her knowledge and experience in this field continually surprises our staff. There has been many a day when she’s been the one to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat!
One of her most admirable qualities, I feel, is the way she views her position. She feels strongly that one of her edicts is not only assist the attorneys here at the firm with their research inquiries but to help them become more self sufficient. She believes in the old saying,Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.There have been many times I’ve witnessed her tutoring an attorney or a paralegal,either in person or over the phone, on how to utilize a particular database showing them the same patience and kind regard she showed me several years ago.
In my opinion, Gretchen Haupt Hawkins is the epitome of a professional information specialist. She would serve as the best example I can think of as to what the words“excellent service” mean in this industry.