Employee Spotlight: Donna Hayataka
At Sommers Schwartz, our commitment to our clients begins with the people who make the first, meaningful connection. As a member of our FLSA intake team, Donna Hayataka helps ensure that every potential client is treated with care, respect, and understanding from the very first conversation. We are proud to spotlight Donna, whose empathy, professionalism, and genuine desire to help others make her an invaluable part of our team.
What are your responsibilities in your current role at Sommers Schwartz?
I, along with the other FLSA legal intake specialists at Sommers Schwartz, serve as the primary front line for managing potential client leads received through Law Ruler. We handle call center and industrial worker leads, primarily involving wage violations and time worked off the clock. We contact each lead, gather relevant details and information, and capture this information when we provide summaries to the FLSA practice attorneys so they can determine whether the claims align with the firm’s criteria.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the most rewarding and challenging facet of the position—interacting with potential clients. I believe people will always remember how they were treated long after the conversation ends. I also rely heavily on my team members and our manager, Danelle Vanderbeke, to guide me in the right direction.
Did you work anywhere before joining Sommers Schwartz? If so, how has that experience helped you here?
I worked for attorneys and business principals in venture capital and high-tech in Seattle, Washington, and later in general practice, healthcare, and now FLSA in Michigan, for what feels like an astonishing amount of time to me—40 years. I draw upon all of my previous experience in my current role because, at its core, it is client-centric. I have found that there is no situation in business or in life where empathy and kindness will fail you. While that may not always be a popular opinion, it has served me well throughout all of my client interactions over the years.
What is your proudest accomplishment at Sommers Schwartz?
My proudest accomplishment is being a member of the intake team and participating in our collaborative efforts. I think great strides have been made to improve processes and better serve our potential and existing clients. Without everyone’s cooperation, we would not function optimally or be an asset to the department and the firm.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
My husband, David, our adult daughter, Lauren, and I have been living in a 200+ year-old Dutch Colonial home on an acre of land for the past ten years. We are dedicated to its preservation and restoration. We can’t have any other hobbies or interests (those in similar situations will understand).
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Learn everything, travel extensively, never lose your sense of humor, and make a true friend wherever you go.
