Discover how understanding what truly motivates your team members—their "currency"—can transform leadership effectiveness, boost productivity, and strengthen workplace culture in high-pressure legal environments.
“
Focus on the outcome, and the income will take care of itself.
Sheri Middlemas · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Sheri
Sheri Middlemas is the Chief Operating Officer of BERTOLINO LLP, where she has overseen firm operations, strategic growth, and organizational development for over seven years. With nearly 20 years of experience in legal operations and leadership, she has built a career centered on optimizing performance, strengthening compliance-driven processes, and guiding firms through sustained growth. She is recognized for her ability to translate complex legal and regulatory environments into scalable operational systems that improve efficiency while maintaining a strong client-centered focus.
From an early age, Sheri aspired to become an attorney, growing up in the Washington, D.C. area with a deep appreciation for the courtroom environment and the discipline of law. While she initially envisioned a traditional legal career, her professional path ultimately led her toward the operational and strategic side of the legal industry, focusing not on why the law works, but on how organizations can be built to execute it more effectively and at scale. Over the course of her career, she has worked under a range of managers and leaders, with experiences that shaped her belief that true leadership is not defined by title, but by influence, trust, and the ability to elevate others. That philosophy has guided her approach to leadership development and organizational culture.
Sheri has created and implemented mentor based leadership programs designed to help individuals understand and develop authentic leadership capabilities, an initiative she has carried across multiple organizations. She actively develops and shares leadership insights, often referred to informally as “Sheri-isms,” through internal communications and public commentary, emphasizing that leadership principles apply across industries and roles. While her firm has experienced significant growth, including more than 200 percent expansion in a recent quarter, she considers her greatest success to be the long-term impact on individuals whose careers she has helped shape. For her, the most meaningful measure of leadership is not organizational scale, but the lasting development of people who go on to lead others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sheri
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to understanding what true leadership means and having the ability to influence and develop leaders. Through my career, I've had fantastic managers, a handful of good leaders, and one fantastic mentor who taught me that leadership isn't about having a title - it's about being someone people trust and gravitate to. I learned early on that just because something isn't done my way doesn't mean it's the wrong way, which helped me balance my Type A personality. I organize my day by what I call 'priorizing' - organizing by priority - and when that doesn't work, I deal from the 'have-to,' focusing on what's absolutely detrimental if it doesn't get done. But what really drives my success is my passion for bringing people up and helping them understand leadership. I've created mentor leadership programs at multiple firms, and what means the most to me isn't the 200% growth we've achieved, but the LinkedIn messages from people I worked with years ago thanking me for the impact I made on their careers. That's the footprint I want to leave - making a difference in someone else's life by helping them become better leaders.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Over the course of my career, I’ve had the good fortune to learn from many talented professionals. One piece of wisdom has echoed in my mind more than any other, and it came from a mentor who left a lasting impression on me, let's call him George. George has a way of cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of things. One day, in a conversation that probably seemed routine at the time, he shared a line that would shape the way I approached my work from that moment on: “Focus on the outcome, and the income will take care of itself.” At the time, it struck me as good advice. Over the years, it’s revealed itself as a guiding principle, especially when it comes to client service and long-term success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
No one is waiting to hand you clarity, confidence, or a career path - you build those.
Start with this: Competence is your first currency. Be prepared, follow through, and understand the details others miss. Talent might get attention, but reliability builds trust; and trust is what opens doors. Don’t wait until you feel ready, you won’t. Take the opportunity anyway and figure it out as you go. Growth doesn’t come from readiness; it comes from exposure.
Communicate with clarity. Not softer. Not louder. Clearer. Say what you mean, ask direct questions, and set expectations early. People don’t follow perfection, they follow direction.
Learn the business, not just your role. If you’re in a law firm, understand how it runs – what drives revenue, where inefficiencies live, and how client relationships are built. The women who rise think beyond their job descriptions. And stop over-apologizing. You don’t need to apologize for having an opinion, asking questions, or taking up space you’ve earned. Be respectful, but don’t shrink yourself to make others comfortable.
Build real relationships, not transactional networking. Cultivate trust-based, consistent connections with people who know your work and will advocate for you when you’re not in the room.
Find mentors, but don’t wait to be chosen. Ask questions, seek feedback, and take ownership of your growth.
Finally, define success for yourself and revisit it often. If you don’t, this industry will define it for you. Show up. Be excellent. Take the seat before you feel ready. That’s how you move forward.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are having a passion for what you do and making an impact on others' lives. I tell my kids that I don't care what they aspire to do, but if they can do something they have a passion for, that's a happy life. It's not going to be sunshine and roses every day - you'll run into issues, that's life and adulthood - but if you can wake up and be excited about what you do, it will make you so much more productive and help you have the impact you want to have. Your family life and your personal and professional life will all have so much more value if you can do something you're passionate about. I believe in figuring out how to make money at what you love to do. Beyond passion, I value people who come with innate skills - being on time, respectful, and having strong values. Those are things that can't really be taught, but everything else can be. I also believe that just because something isn't done my way doesn't mean it's the wrong way, which helps me balance my Type A personality. Ultimately, what matters most is the difference you make in people's lives - that's the footprint I want to leave.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Sheri
Leadership Standards in Action
Understanding What Truly Motivates Your Team Beyond the Paycheck
In the legal profession, our work is high-stakes and high-pressure. Deadlines are immovable, details matter, and the clients we serve depend on our best work—every single time.
But the truth is, even the most talented teams need motivation that goes beyond job descriptions and paychecks.
That is where understanding someone’s “currency” comes in.
Currency is what truly motivates a person—what inspires them to go the extra mile.
For some, it is public recognition.
For others, it is professional growth opportunities.
And for one law clerk I once worked with, it was a morning cinnamon bun from the vending machine.
Here’s How It Worked
Every morning, “Vinnie” would walk past my office, drop his backpack at his desk, and head straight for the break room within minutes.
I knew Vinnie loved that cinnamon bun.
So, whenever I had a project that needed to be prioritized, I would place my request on his desk—separate from the pile of other assignments—and position that warm, spiral-shaped bribe (or, let’s call it, incentive) right on top.
I would add a quick handwritten note:
“Thanks in advance—looking forward to seeing your magic on this.”
The result?
My projects were consistently completed by midday.
No chasing.
No reminders.
No unnecessary stress.
And he did not just deliver quickly—he delivered exceptionally well.
Why Does This Matter for Leaders—and Every Team Member?
Understanding someone’s currency is not manipulation.
It is strategic leadership.
It Builds Trust
When you recognize and honor what genuinely motivates someone, they feel seen, understood, and valued.
It Increases Productivity
People naturally perform better when appreciation is communicated in ways that are meaningful to them.
It Strengthens Team Culture
When leaders model this behavior, it creates a ripple effect.
Team members begin recognizing and respecting one another’s motivators as well.
Leadership in the Legal Field Requires More Than Authority
In legal environments, where precision and performance are non-negotiable, leaders cannot afford to assume that one-size-fits-all motivation is effective.
Understanding your team’s currency does not require a large budget.
It requires:
- Observation
- Listening
- Emotional intelligence
- A genuine commitment to helping people thrive
A Challenge for This Week
Look around your team.
Ask yourself:
- What motivates each person?
- What makes them feel appreciated?
- What small or meaningful investment could unlock greater engagement?
Then, spend that currency wisely.
Because when you compensate people in the ways they value most, the return on investment can be extraordinary.
A Final Thought
As for Vinnie?
That cinnamon-bun-loving law clerk is likely doing something remarkable today—perhaps leading in a courtroom, serving on the bench, or calling the shots from a corner office.
Wherever he is, I like to think those vending machine pastries fueled more than his mornings.
They fueled momentum.
Know their currency.
Spend it well.
And watch them soar.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Texas
Director of Photography
Austin
Senior Account Executive
Austin
Program Supervisor IV- Case Management
Austin
Assistant Branch Manager
Austin
Attorney At Law
Austin
CEO, Branding Director and Digital Strategist
Austin
Manager of Talent Services
Austin
Founder
Austin
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.