This is a picture of Ada Sebasco, Administrator at Ginarte Law, celebrating her 30th anniversary working with the firm.

Ada Sebasco has reached a milestone that we are proud to celebrate! Ada has been with us for 30 wonderful years. Earlier this week we were able to have a candid interview with Ada where she was willing to open up about her personal life and give us an inside look at her life outside the firm. Ada has been a pleasure to work with and we thoroughly enjoy her enthusiasm and passion for her work. We look forward to another 30 years of working with Ada.

Vincent: What is your earliest memory of working at Ginarte?

Ada: I started in July of 1984. I was hired to work primarily as a real estate secretary, and to help Mr. Ginarte’s one and only secretary at the time, with bodily injury cases.  Joe employed one secretary and a law clerk for the first 2 years, he started in 1982. What I remember is actually funny. Blanca would be responsible for ordering supplies, so when I started, I gave her a list of desk items I needed, such as stapler, staple remover, etc., and she said that I could share hers since we needed to keep costs at a minimum. Of course, I informed her that it would not be cost effective in the end, if I had to get up from my desk every time I had to borrow said items.

Vincent: What is most rewarding about your job? What makes it all worthwhile?

Ada: I loved working on the real estate files. It became my first priority. As the law firm grew in clients as well as staff, I was able to work mostly with that. As time went by, I was given other responsibilities, and I welcomed all. I was learning and aware of the opportunities I was being trusted with.

Vincent: What’s your current position?

Ada: My current position is Administrator. It entails mainly working with personnel issues such as attendance and payroll processing. I also review the incoming mail on a daily basis. I maintain a close follow up on cases wherein the statute of limitations must be met. Completing applications for renewals of office insurance policies, as well as insurance for the many locations that are owned by us.

Vincent: Who has been most helpful to you during your personal or professional career?

Ada: My mentor and most helpful person during both my personal and professional career has been Joe.  He has placed his trust in me, and I will always be grateful for that.

Vincent: What is your life outside of the office like?

Ada: I enjoy reading, and do so on a daily basis. John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, James Patterson, to name a couple are some of my favorite authors. My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, which was written by Harper Lee.

Vincent: Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life?

Ada: I believe the two key people who had the most influence in me were my parents. The way I was brought up defines me.

Vincent: Name one thing about yourself that most people don’t know?

Ada: I may appear tough on the outside, but I care about people. I like to help whenever possible. I love riding bicycles, dancing and getting together with family.

Vincent: What makes you laugh?

Ada: My sons, daughter and grandchildren make me laugh. They bring me joy and put  a smile on my face every time I see them or speak to them.

Vincent: Where have you traveled?

Ada: I have gone to St. Martins and Puerto Rico. I have gone to Florida, but I am Cuban, we all go there sooner or later. In Florida, I have stayed at Naples, St. Petersburg and Clear Water. I have gone to Key West. I have gone to Aruba and the Bahamas. I have been to South Carolina several times, almost monthly. If you ask me where I would like to go, I would love to go to Paris, Italy, Tuscany to be exact.  I would love to go to Costa Rica and the Virgin Islands. I want to go to California to Napa Valley and San Francisco. I am sure I am leaving out a few. I want to visit Cuba one day. I am not sure that I would stay there for good, as I was young when I came to the United States and therefore most of my life is here.

Vincent: Are you involved in any community organizations?

Ada: Fitting in volunteer work now is difficult, but I look forward to doing it in the future. I spend most of my weekdays at work, and by 8 p.m. I am exhausted. I work with pride, and most of the time I don’t even realize what time it is. When I retire, I would like to volunteer to spend time with people that are lonely, such as a nursing home, or a place where seniors meet to pass the time.

Vincent: Any closing notes you would like to add?

Ada: I love my job. Plain and simple. I have enjoyed working at this firm for many years.  I have many memories of how our firm transformed from a small firm to what we are now. From having one location in Newark, and sharing space in Elizabeth a couple of days a week, to expanding to full time in Elizabeth and later to different towns (and relocations) to where we are now, 7 offices and growing.

It is and will continue to be a pleasure working with Ada. Her work ethic and performance has been amazing over the years. Ada recalls the transformation the firm has gone through over the years and is looking forward to what the future holds.