Senior Paralegal Toni Treadway joined the law firm of Ruth F. Claiborne, P.C. in January 1997, working in the areas of adoption and reproductive technology. At that time, Toni also served as paralegal for a federal bankruptcy trustee and a general practitioner. Since the formation of Claiborne, Outman, & Surmay, P.C. in January 2000, Toni has worked exclusively as a senior paralegal in the areas of adoption and reproductive technology, and related issues such as guardianship, foster care and child protection. Even now that the firm is Claiborne & Surmay, P.C., Toni’s practice areas remain the same.
Prior to 1997, Toni worked as a paralegal with Gill, Peterson & Harris, P.C., in practice areas including real estate transactions, incorporations, and personal injury litigation. There, Toni drafted pleadings and incorporation documents, prepared loan packages for commercial and residential real estate transactions, and assisted in trial preparation.
Toni always wanted a career in the legal field, specifically involving children. Her previous paralegal work included drafting corporate and real estate documents, litigation support, and documentation for a federal bankruptcy trustee. As is evident by her enthusiasm for and devotion to her current work at Claiborne & Surmay, Toni finds it extremely rewarding to work as part of a law firm that provides for the legal needs of children and families. Frequently, she is the first person with whom clients speak when calling the office. She provides initial information and answers questions concerning the firm’s services. Toni is also involved in all aspects of client files including the initial drafting of many documents, assisting with legal research, and in trial preparation. Toni communicates with courts, other paralegals and attorneys, and state agencies.
Toni is currently on the Dean’s List at Mercer University and anticipates receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts in 2012. She was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society in 2010, and received a Certificate of Merit for participating in Mercer University’s Quality Enhancement Program in 2011. Toni currently serves as Board Chair of the Student Advisory County for Mercer University’s Douglas Regional Academic Center.
Toni has served as co-chair for the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Paralegal Programs and is a member of the Georgia Association of Paralegals and the National Federal of Paralegal Associations. She also serves as Box Top Committee Chair for Dugan Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Association.
Toni has been married since 1990 to her devoted husband Daniel. They have a son, Joshua, born in 1996 and a daughter, Emily, born in August 2005.