Carolina Paralegal News

Victoria Townley is an estate administration paralegal at Roberts & Stevens, P.A., in Asheville, N.C. She is actively involved with the Asheville Area Paralegal Association. When not working at the office or with the AAPA, she can be found hiking in the beautiful western North Carolina mountains.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

VT: Six years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

Townley

VT: As a child, I wanted to be a lawyer. After college, I found the idea of significant student loan debt a little intimidating, so at my advisor’s advice, I began interning at a law firm to see what working in a law office was like. Although I spent most of my day answering phones and filing pleadings, I was enamored with the atmosphere. I loved getting excited about a case, meeting with clients and rooting the attorneys on as they went to court.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local — are you member of and what positions do you hold in them?

VT: I invest most of my time in the Asheville Area Paralegal Association and have served on the board of directors since 2008. The most rewarding part of working with the AAPA is meeting other paralegals in my area. If I have a question about an area of law I do not normally practice in, I know an answer is only a phone call away.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

VT: I believe many paralegals are struggling with the $238 million cuts to the North Carolina court system. Over 200 staff positions were cut, which means staff are working harder than ever with fewer people. We also are coping with the new motions fee, increased court costs, new filing procedures and moratorium. With the cost of litigation and court actions rising, more people are opting to settle disputes outside of litigation or attempt to represent themselves. This means we need to work harder and smarter for our clients to give them the best possible legal service at the best value.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

VT: I would love to see the online resources provided by bar associations (listservs, discussion boards, directories and blogs) tailored to paralegals. All too often we run into an oddball question and only have the resources in our firm or our local community to look to for answers. I follow several paralegal blogs; Lynne DeVenny’s blog, Practical Paralegalism, is an excellent example of what I would love to see more of. She offers tips on time management, career dressing, noteworthy cases and of course the occasional legal gossip.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

VT: Last year, the AAPA put together a seminar on changes to various areas of law that were passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. We had several presenters speak about the changes and how it affected their practice areas. It turned out to be our most well-attended seminar to date. I think it is important to stay current with all areas of the law, not just your practice area. The diversified speakers kept attendees engaged, inspired many questions and gave everyone an update on the changing laws in North Carolina.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

VT: A lawyer!

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

VT: I still haven’t ruled out going to law school.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

VT: Who you work with is incredibly important. We work in a stressful environment and unfortunately, personality conflicts between paralegals and their supervising attorneys do happen. If your supervising attorney and you end up in a conflict every time he or she has a bad day in court, it’s time to change your circumstances, not quit the field altogether.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

VT: I feel so grateful to be working at my firm. As the estate administration paralegal, I genuinely feel like I am helping our clients get through one of the most difficult times of their lives – losing a spouse, parent or loved one. It is so gratifying to help grieving people through the difficult and tricky aspects of estate administration.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

VT: I struggle with billing my time. I often over-think a task and question whether I should bill for it or not, wondering if I should change the amount of time it took me to do something or account for bathroom breaks, taking a phone call or answering a question for someone who comes to my door.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

VT: Hiking in the beautiful Western North Carolina mountains, jogging with my running group or spending time with my significant other, family and our neurotic but lovable Corgi.

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Q&A: Kirsten Carlos

Kirsten Carlos received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University in 1993. She completed the Meredith College Paralegal Program in 2004 and became a NALA certified paralegal in 2006 and a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal in 2006. Kirsten has been working in the intellectual property law field since 2007 with Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec.

Kirsten is a member of the Paralegal Division of the North Carolina Bar Association and is president of the Research Triangle Paralegal Association, which she joined in 2007. She served as chair of the Media/Public Relations Committee in 2010.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

KC: Seven years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

KC: I wanted a profession where I could use my journalism undergraduate degree. The paralegal profession fit perfectly!

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local — are you member of and what positions do you hold in them?

KC: Member of the Paralegal Division of the N.C. Bar Association and president of the Research Triangle Paralegal Association

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

KC: I think the main concerns they have have to do with the day to day operation of being a paralegal, for example, how to prepare a certain
document.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

KC: Networking!

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

KC: The perfect CLE would be one that would teach paralegals about life skills such as preparing a will, how to manage your finances, etc.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

KC: A reporter

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

KC: Be a reporter

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

KC: The importance of networking!

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

KC: I like how I can work independently, but then also have time where I work with my attorneys as a team.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

KC: Hmm, I don’t know.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

KC: I am most proud of my twin daughters! They have developed into beautiful, responsible young women.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

KC: At home with my family or at the soccer fields watching my girls play.

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Q&A: Carolyn Timmons

Carolyn Timmons is a paralegal at Jones, Key, Melvin, & Patton, in Franklin, N.C., concentrating on litigation and estate work.

She recently served three years on the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division Council and currently serves as treasurer and on the nomination committee for the annual Outstanding Paralegal Award. She also is chairman of the scholarship committee for the Asheville Area Paralegal Association.

For the past five years, Timmons has served on the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the Paralegal Technology Associate Degree program at Southwestern Community College in Sylva, her alma mater.

Timmons has a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Georgia and taught high school English before joining Delta Air Lines as a flight attendant. She retired in 2002 after 29 years of service, during which she participated in lobbying efforts and community outreach programs.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

CT: Six years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

CT: I have always been interested in the law and when I retired from Delta Air Lines, I decided to pursue that interest.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local — are you member of and what positions do you hold in them?

CT: I am a member of the Asheville Area Paralegal Association and the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

CT: The paralegals I speak with are concerned that those individuals currently engaged in our profession and those hoping to enter our profession exhibit the skills, knowledge, and professional and personal conduct that serve the perception of the paralegal professional well.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

CT: The requirement that all paralegals become certified.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

CT: As so many of us work in very diverse areas of law, I think the perfect CLE would be one that addresses the common areas we all share, including written and verbal communication, self-motivation and completion of tasks, and professional conduct, to name a few.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

CT: An aircraft fighter pilot

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

CT: I would enjoy working as an advocate for children or the elderly in some capacity.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

CT: I am a planner, so the hardest thing for me to learn was that in the work I do, the situation can change in an instant. Sometimes, being too far ahead of yourself might not serve you or the client well.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

CT: Working for and under the tutelage of R.S. Jones, Jr. He has been the best mentor anyone could ask for in learning the law and the practice of law.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

CT: Not having come from an office environment in my previous career, the “office politics” are something I have difficulty with.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

CT: I am most proud of my marriage and my family.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

CT: Living in the western part of North Carolina, nature abounds. In the warmer weather, you might find me kayaking and in all weather doing some hiking. My husband and I also enjoy getting together with friends to cook and enjoy good wines.

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Dale Scaglione is a paralegal with Bruner, Powell, Wall & Mullins LLC in Columbia, S.C.

She graduated from Upsala College with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and took courses in English and technical writing at North Carolina State University. She earned her paralegal certificate from Midlands Technical College. Before becoming a paralegal, Scaglione worked as a legal assistant for seven years and was a teacher for three years in Mexico and the U.S.

She is married and has two adult children.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

DS: Six years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

DS: I was a legal assistant at a large law firm and the attorney I worked for at the time encouraged me to get my paralegal certificate (I already had a bachelor’s degree in Spanish) and become a paralegal for the firm.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local— are you a member of and what positions do you hold in them?

DS: I am on the board serving as secretary of the Palmetto Paralegal Association.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

DS: Time management and dealing with deadlines.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

DS: I believe state certification of paralegals, whether by examination or by level of education (for example, a paralegal certificate program from an ABA-approved program), would add a higher level of professionalism, competence and accountability.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

DS: A three- to four-hour CLE in which there is a lecture, a panel discussion and then a breakout session when paralegals could interact with other professionals in small group settings. The lecture imparts information, the panel discussion gives several points of view, and the breakout session enables you to ask questions and get feedback from the experts on issues paralegals have.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

DS: Yes. Absolutely.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

DS: A teacher.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

DS: I would teach. I love children and am fulfilling that dream through children’s ministry at my church. It is very rewarding and children can cheer you up even on the darkest day.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

DS: I wish I had known the difference between working for a big firm and working for a smaller, more family-oriented firm. The fast track is not always the best track for your personal life. I am a workaholic and I am blessed to be at a smaller firm where they help me balance that drive with time for family. I never feel pressured, but I always feel intellectually challenged. That’s where I thrive best.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

DS: I love the diversity of civil litigation. In one day, I can be analyzing real estate, insurance or financial documents for a malpractice case; drafting accounting spreadsheets or reviewing daily construction logs for construction clients; summarizing medical records in a personal injury case; and drafting discovery documents. No day is the same and that’s what makes it so interesting and intellectually stimulating.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

DS: Scheduling mediations and depositions, especially when multiple parties are involved.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

DS: I am so proud of my two children. They are both successful professionally and are fine people.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

DS: At church! I just love to be there.

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Tammie Pope is a senior paralegal with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP in Columbia, S.C.

She graduated from Erskine College with a bachelor’s degree in English and attended the National Center for Paralegal Training in Atlanta. Pope has been with Nelson Mullins since 1990, with the exception of three years working for the firm of Fairey, Parise & Mills.

At Nelson Mullins, Pope was honored with the Edward W. Mullins, Sr. Pro Bono Award in 2004 and the Jean M. Nunn Excellence in Leadership Award in 2006.

As a member of the Palmetto Paralegal Association, Pope has held board positions including chair of the Newsletter Committee, Community Relations/Pro Bono Committee and Coordinations Committee, treasurer, president-elect and president. She was named the 2005 PPA Paralegal of the Year. Pope also belongs to the National Federation of Paralegal Associations.

Pope is married and has two teenage children.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

TP: I have been a paralegal for just over 21 years.

CPN: What drew you into the career?

TP: I saw an ad for the National Center for Paralegal Training on a bulletin board as I was waiting to go into a journalism class at the University of South Carolina. Based on the job description, I thought the profession was one for which I was well suited.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local— are you a member of and what positions do you hold in them?

TP: I am a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Palmetto Paralegal Association (PPA). I am the chair of the PPA’s Community Relations/Pro Bono Committee.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

TP: I think for most people today, the struggle to balance our work responsibilities with those of our families is a big concern. It’s difficult to be pulled in different directions while wanting to excel on all fronts.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

TP: I think licensure of paralegals would benefit not only the paralegal profession, but the legal profession in general. I believe licensure would provide a means of accountability and a way to ensure the qualifications of paralegals being hired by attorneys. That would benefit the attorneys as well as our clients. It would be a win-win all the way around.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

TP: It would be one that provides paralegals with a good foundational knowledge of ethics responsibilities, but was also entertaining so everyone would pay attention and actually walk away having learned what was intended.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

TP: See my answer regarding licensure above. I believe that certification or registration will be the first step, but I think licensure is what is really needed.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

TP: I wanted to be a single flight attendant so I could travel around the world. That was clearly the misguided wish of a child because, in fact, I would be miserable if I traveled around and did not have my husband and family. I don’t even like to fly.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

TP: That’s hard to say because I love my job, and I have met so many great people through my job. I really can’t imagine anything better suited to my personality or more rewarding.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

TP: I was very shy when I became a paralegal and I wish I had known then how easy it is to strike up a conversation with a stranger (which is required over and over in my job).

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

TP: There are so many great things about it, I’m not sure I can name one best thing. I love always learning something new with every new case that comes in; I love the people with whom I work, who are such smart, professional and caring people; and I love meeting new people all the time.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

TP: Definitely the one negative about my job is the billable goal. I’ve never missed making my goal in my 21 years as a paralegal, but it is an ever-present pressure that I could live without. However, at the same time, I understand why we have one and if I were running a law firm the size of Nelson Mullins, I would probably impose a billable goal, too. Given that it’s the only thing I don’t like about my job, it’s obviously manageable.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

TP: On a personal level, I am most proud of being the mother of my children, Malyn and J.C. On a professional level, I am most proud of having been involved in helping one of our clients be approved for parole after being turned down several times. He has made a tremendous impact on so many lives since his release and I feel privileged to have helped educate the Parole Board about why he should have been released.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

TP: I spend my weekends running lots of errands, spending time at Gold’s Gym and attending church.

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Westbrook has been a real estate paralegal with Elizabeth R. Harrison, Attorney at Law, PC, since graduating from Meredith’s Paralegal Program in 2006. Prior to attending Meredith, she worked as an accounting clerk for a law firm.

She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Campbell University in 2002. She is a member of Mid-Way Baptist Church in Raleigh, where she is active in missions and the children’s ministry.

Westbrook lives in Clayton, North Carolina, with her pets Jasmine, Bell and Brown.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

DJW: Six years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

DJW: My first job out of college was at a law firm. That is where I learned of the paralegal profession. Looking for a career in the legal field, my co-workers at the time encouraged me to apply to paralegal school.

CPN: What paralegal organizations are you a member of and what positions do you hold in them?

DJW: I am a member of the North Carolina State Bar Association, Paralegal Division. I am the 2011-2012 secretary for the Paralegal Division. I am in the processing of obtaining my national certification from the National Association of Legal Assistants. I am a North Carolina Certified Paralegal.

CPN: When you talk to other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

DJW: One of the main concerns for paralegals is the unauthorized practice of law. It is so easy to cross the line and advise a client or call in on a subject when the paralegal knows the answer.

Another concern is employment. Paralegals are a vital asset to the legal field, but with the economy in the state it is in, some paralegals are being let go from their jobs. The struggle then becomes obtaining new employment.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

DJW: A benefit to the paralegal profession is having a network of contacts in various fields. No one person is going to have all the answers. Knowing the name of someone you can refer a client to or ask a question of is invaluable. It eliminates unnecessary frustration and streamlines your productivity.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

DJW: The perfect CLE would be a six-hour session with engaging speakers. The topics covered would include networking, two hours of ethics and unauthorized practice of law, and three hours of items affecting the type of law being covered by the CLE. Topics would include basic procedural instructions as well as items affecting the particular area of law. It is easy to fall into a routine or pick up a habit that may or may not be the best practice. Reinforcing basic practices ensures paralegals are performing to the best of their abilities. With new developments in technology, new approaches to old ideas are sometimes needed. Offering new and refreshing ideas or approaches to how to perform daily tasks would also be included.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

DJW: Growing up, I wanted to be either a hairdresser or a lawyer.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

DJW: I would love to start a nonprofit ministry for women focusing on the development of basic life skills.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?’

DJW: I wish I had known it was okay not to know everything someone asked me. It is okay not to know everything, as long as you work to find the answer.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

DJW: The best thing about my job is the people I work with. I have a wonderful boss and great co-workers.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

DJW: Everyone has aspects of his or her job that are less than desirable. But, I would not do without them because those things build character and stretch one’s abilities. They make one appreciate the better aspects of his or her job that much more.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

DJW: I am thankful for all the opportunities I have been blessed to experience.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

DJW: On the weekends, I can be found at the lake kayaking, at the beach, in my yard working in my garden or hanging out with my friends and family.

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Natalie Butrym is a senior paralegal with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P. in Columbia. She has extensive experience in complex product liability litigation, drug and device litigation, and technology litigation, including litigation over the performance of computer software, trade secrets and unfair trade practices. She is presently working with David Dukes handling hormone therapy litigation and with Michael Hogue handling asbestos litigation. She also serves as a paralegal coordinator for the Litigation Department in the Columbia office.

Butrym is an honors graduate of the University of South Carolina and the National Center for Paralegal Training. She is a past president of the Columbia Legal Assistants Association and the Palmetto Paralegal Association.

She is married with two children, ages 25 and 19.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

NCB: Since 1979.

CPN: What drew you into the career?

NCB: I was always interested in the legal profession. I grew up working in my father’s restaurant that was just a block away from the courthouse, and I enjoyed all the lawyers and judges coming in to eat and listening to all their interesting stories.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local— are you a member of and what positions do you hold in them?

NCB: I am a member of the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and the Palmetto Paralegal Association. I have been past president of our local association two times and held various board positions throughout the years. I am currently serving as the SC Alliance of Paralegal Associations Representative.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

NCB: How to juggle family with the stress and constantly changing deadlines and priorities of litigation practice.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

NCB: Recognition by the judges and the State Bar of the importance of the paralegal to the practice of law so there is a consistent required education for the practicing paralegal.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

NCB: The Paralegal as a Case Manager.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

NCB: Yes.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

NCB: A teacher.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to be?

NCB: A teacher.

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

NCB: As a paralegal, you have many different roles to fulfill, so you must surround yourself with a group of people that work together as a team.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

NCB: I love that you are constantly learning and meeting new people.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

NCB: The constantly changing priorities.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

NCB: Seeing people that I have mentored over the years become successful paralegals.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

NCB: With my family.

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Mary Beth Morgan is a legal assistant at Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. in Greenville, South Carolina, supporting Luanne Runge, shareholder, and Mary Giorgi, senior associate. Her career has been largely focused in the areas of complex/civil litigation, adoption and real estate. She serves as the 2011-2012 president of Legal Staff Professionals of Greenville (LSPG) and as a teen mentor. Originally from Chicago, she lives in Simpsonville with her children, David, Ted, Kathleen and Patrick, and their family pets.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

MBM: I’ve been working in the field since 1979 and have done paralegal work most of that time. I am currently the legal assistant to one of our shareholders and, in that role, wear many hats.

CPN: What drew you into the career?

MBM: It sounded like an interesting option, so I stopped by a law firm in town and asked if they needed help. The senior partner, who was the best real estate attorney in the Chicagoland area at the time, told me he liked my “spunk” and, after a couple more visits, hired me and taught me everything I needed to know about real estate law.

CPN: What paralegal organizations — national, state or local — are you a member of and what positions do you hold in them?

MBM: Legal Staff Professionals of Greenville (LSPG), which is the local chapter of NALS, Inc. I am the current president and have also served as treasurer.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

MBM: Easy – not enough hours in the day!

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

MBM: The one thing that would most benefit the profession would be mentoring of others. I believe we, as seasoned professionals, have a responsibility to mentor those coming up behind us – to encourage a strong work ethic, to lend accountability, to instill a sense of responsibility and to share a positive, “can-do” attitude. The time and energy we invest in the lives of other individuals will pay off ten-fold to the profession in general.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

MBM: Could there be an “Attitude/Professional Development CLE”? I believe that with a positive attitude and willingness to grow, you can accomplish anything and make a positive difference in the lives of others. On a more sensible note, a practical CLE that would teach the fundamentals of the job – how to create a letter, how to draft legal documents, what to look for in third-party records – a nuts and bolts of the profession CLE would be quite beneficial, particularly to those who are just starting out.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

MBM: I think it’s unnecessary.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

MBM: I wanted to be an adolescent psychologist. The teen years are tough and I always felt I could make a difference in the lives of teenagers if I worked in that field.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

MBM: I often think about going back to get some type of counseling degree. The dream job at this point in my life, however, would be to drive an ice cream boat around a lake (like the ice cream truck that goes through the neighborhood). Wouldn’t that be great? Skimming along the water all day and, wherever you’d go, people would be happy to see you!

CPN: What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession that you know now?

MBM: I wish I knew the benefits of working in a large firm. Before moving to South Carolina in 2006, I had always worked for small firms where my job never quite ended. I took work home with me in the evenings and on weekends. I had clients staying with our family temporarily. I was called to the hospital in the middle of the night. Now, when the day is over, I am able to turn off my light and go home to be with my family, which is a real treat.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

MBM: I enjoy how diverse it is. I work in the Business and Commercial Law Group handling complex litigation matters, so no two days are alike. There’s no chance of falling into a “time to make the doughnuts” rut.  On top of that, I am privileged to work with some of the most brilliant minds and capable professionals in the industry. I am proud to be a member of the GWB team – a team that strives to provide the best services to our clients.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

MBM: One of my mottos is, “Don’t let your procrastination become my emergency.” Understandably, at times last-minute rushes are unavoidable, but typically they are unnecessary. I find that, when people rush, we tend to make more mistakes. I beat myself up when I make mistakes, so I could do without that aspect of the job.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

MBM: Personally, and without question, that would be my children. I have been a single parent for the past 11 years and have four amazing kids that I am awed by every day of my life. I am so thankful for each one of them and their uniqueness. They have defied the odds of growing up in a single-parent home – my oldest is graduating college in May; the second oldest will follow in 2013; my daughter, who is so special – sweet, compassionate, strong – is going into high school; and my youngest is like the roux of a good gravy (as a friend of mine once described him). He seems to have gotten the best and the richest of all the rest of us.

Professionally, it would be the work that I did in the adoption arena. I worked for Scott Hamilton, an attorney in Florida, who did private adoptions. I interacted quite a bit with the birth mothers and, in the process, became very close to them and tried to show them there were better lifestyle choices to be made. I was there for the birth of their babies and I was there when they said good-bye to their newborns. What an amazing blessing it was to be a part of that. I still think about those women all the time and, in my heart, thank them for the sacrifices they made for their babies.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

MBM: You would find me in the water. Give me a lake, river or pool to play in and I am like a little kid. It’s what keeps me young at heart. One last thing, life is uncertain, but if you have a strong faith and a good sense of humor, there is nothing else you’ll ever need. Carpe diem!

staff.cpn Q&A

Lindsay C. Casenhiser earned a bachelor of arts in history from the College of Charleston. Her  paralegal certificate in litigation is from Greenville Technical College.

She began her career in 2004 at Motley Rice in Charleston, S.C., and is now at Turner Padget Graham & Laney P.A. in the Greenville, S.C., office.

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

LLC: Seven years

CPN: What drew you into the career?

LLC: I was drawn to the career because of the broad scope of the field and the ability to utilize my interests in researching and investigation and providing support to the attorney.

CPN: What paralegal organizations – national, state or local- are you member of and what positions do you hold in them?

LLC: None currently.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

LLC: The field is generally demanding in the sense that there are a lot of important deadlines and court dates to meet while juggling a large caseload and keeping up with billable hours.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

LLC: Being organized.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

LLC: Art of written discovery responses.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

LLC: I think the field will ultimately lean in that direction because it is a more sophisticated field than administrative type jobs.  I think it should in the sense that it would enhance the professionalism of the field.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

LLC: An archaeologist.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

LLC: I would be a history professor, specializing in European history during the early 20th century, at a small college.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

LLC: I really enjoy the attorney and staff I work with and our practice (litigation).

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

LLC: Scheduling.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

LLC: I am most proud of my children. Professionally, I am most proud of my development into the paralegal I am today.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

LLC: Doing something outside with my family, and during nice weather, running in a local 5K.

staff.cpn Q&A

Lindsay Valek is a litigation paralegal at Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC, a defense firm in Columbia, S.C.

She has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Winthrop University and the ABA paralegal certification from Midlands Technical College.

Valek is a freelance writer who describes herself as “a lover of litigation, technology, history and spicy food.”

CPN: How long have you been a paralegal?

Valek: A little over six years.

CPN: What drew you into the career?

Valek: I had the privilege of working as a staffing coordinator for Marsha Silver and Terry Kelley at Carolina Legal Associates, placing attorneys, paralegals and legal support staff in temporary and permanent positions. I got the bug to become a paralegal myself, thinking I would one day go to law school. While the law school ambition has sufficiently been nixed, I’m excited every day about the potential cases that walk in the door.

CPN: What paralegal organizations – national, state or local- are you member of and what positions do you hold in them?

Valek: None.

CPN: When you talk with other paralegals, what are the main concerns or issues they face on a daily basis?

Valek: That’s a simple one: communication and efficiency.

CPN: If you could name one thing that would most benefit the paralegal profession, what would it be?

Valek: Honest communication. Enormous amounts of red tape and frustration could be cut out if paralegals and attorneys sat down and started a very real and very open dialogue with one another. The majority of paralegals I encounter earnestly want to do a good job for their employers but have a hard time coupling those things that would allow them to perform at their very best with the needs and wants of multiple attorneys. Navigating those needs can be difficult. Oftentimes a paralegal’s strongest attributes and talents can be stifled beneath procedures that may look good on paper but just don’t work in real world application. Starting an open dialogue between paralegals, attorneys, administration and even the IT departments opens the window for limitless
possibilities. Understanding one another’s roles and also recognizing that we work toward a common goal should be something we seek, not something we’re afraid to talk about.

CPN: If you could snap your fingers and create the perfect CLE, what would it be and why?

Valek: I did it on Friday, May 13th. I was asked to develop a CLE for the N.C. Bar Association’s annual paralegal conference, and it’s entitled “Paralegals on Trial: Practical Case Management and Trial Technologies That Anyone Can Use.” I’m a firm believer that some of the best ideas come from other paralegals who have been there, done that. Paralegals work in a wide variety of practice areas, and what may work for one, may not work for another. Sharing the tips and tricks that streamline our job makes us more efficient and gives us the confidence that a document can be found despite a computer meltdown. Personally, I’m artistic. One of the best aspects of my jobs is being asked to design a PowerPoint presentation for an opening argument, mediation or client conference.

CPN: Should registration or certification through the S.C. Bar be approved?

Valek: Without a doubt. Let’s put aside the fact that certification would promote the profession and foster continued growth within the field.

Let’s talk brass tacks. The decision to implement a paralegal division within the state level bar can bring three magical words: Cold. Hard. Cash. It’s no secret that the South Carolina judicial system is struggling financially, which, in turn, leaves our bar association in quite the predicament. CLE’s are filling up at $200 a pop, vendors from litigation technology firms are virtually throwing money at anyone who will listen, and the sponsorship opportunities alone could translate into invaluable support and continued education not only for paralegals, but for the entire legal community within the S.C. Bar’s reach.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor have continually ranked the paralegal profession among the fastest growing of all professions in the United States. Couple that with the emerging technology trend within the legal profession, and you have a bucket full of opportunities for education and expansion that could benefit us all.

CPN: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Valek: I’m a kid at heart, so these are still current aspirations in case NASA is reading this: astronaut, writer, history professor.

CPN: Knowing what you know now, if you weren’t a paralegal, what else would you want to do?

Valek: Writer.

CPN: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were getting started in the profession?

Valek: That the profession of being a paralegal can be a thankless, pride-swallowing adventure through insanity land. Being a paralegal is not for the weak of heart or mind. You will inevitably be yelled at for overlooking a spell-check error, and for new paralegals coming onto the scene, I suggest you reserve yourself a quiet corner in the file room, as I have shed countless tears in the basement hollows. Develop a thick skin because you will need it. When you see talent, pay attention. Some of the best attorneys I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with were on opposing sides of the courtroom. Value yourself and the level of care and commitment that you have to your job. Anyone can put stickers on pieces of paper, but finding a paralegal who genuinely cares about her work product is irreplaceable. Take the extra time to do the little things that show the level of pride you take in your work. It may not reflect on you, but it will certainly reflect upon your attorney when he or she leaves the office for a hearing well-prepared.

CPN: What is the best thing about your job?

Valek: Learning something new every day. One day I find myself talking to an arborist in Washington state about the value of an oak tree. The next I’m digging through 50-year-old stock certificates with a magnifying glass. The day after that I’m reading internal emails about loan approval procedures. Litigation allows me to explore areas that I never dreamed I would tackle.

CPN: And what part of your job could you do without?

Valek: Copiers, envelopes and staples. I have come to the conclusion that if your mail doesn’t have blood on it, then it shouldn’t be considered litigation. I’ve literally bled over nearly everything from proposed orders to original settlement agreements. I’m trying to develop a patented glove as well as a utility belt that looks semi-cute with black pencil skirts. Pen? Check. Binder clip? Check. The boss’s favorite mints? Check. If I had those things, I think I could rule the world.

CPN: What one thing, either personally or professionally, are you most proud of?

Valek: Speaking at career day at my mother’s school before 500 11-year-olds. My competition consisted of a surgeon, a SWAT team member and an Alaskan sled dog. I didn’t think I stood a chance, but when I finished speaking and had students come up and ask me if they could be paralegal one day, I felt enormously proud. That and reading 37 volumes of notebooks, hunting for one witness’ name. I finished in a little over 19 hours, and my boss had all the ammunition she needed for the next day’s deposition.

CPN: Where would we find you on the weekends?

Valek: I’m a creature of habit so I wouldn’t be too hard to find. Saturday mornings I have coffee with my mother and then get lost for several hours in the used book departments at my favorite haunts including Olde Town Antique Mall & Habitat for Humanity Re-Store. Liberty Tap Room for spicy Bloody Marys with girlfriends, drives to nowhere to find someplace unexpected, several hours spent writing, and I typically drop by the office each Sunday to make sure I know which fires will be burning the brightest on Monday morning. I hate surprises but that should come as no surprise considering I’m a paralegal.

staff.cpn Q&A