A Career Rooted in Growth: From Law Firms to Fortune 500s and Everything in Between

By Lakisha Chichester

Yolanda Smith is a paralegal extraordinaire. Her paralegal career spans more than 25 years across law firms, state government, a university and Fortune 500 corporate legal departments. In 1997, she began her paralegal career by working for a solo practitioner. While those early years shaped the thoughtful, capable professional she is today, they came with long hours, steep learning curves and the need to wear multiple hats.

From Private Practice to In-House Roles

Smith worked more than a decade in private practice as a litigation paralegal before transitioning to the public sector, where she worked in the legal department at North Carolina State University and later at the NC Department of Justice. She eventually moved into in-house corporate legal roles at Advance Auto Parts and Builders FirstSource (BFS), two Fortune 500 companies, managing everything from labor and employment issues to construction claims.

“Working in law firms helped me develop my skills,” she says, “but working in-house taught me how to advocate for what I need to do my job well.”

Comparing Legal Worlds: Firms vs. Corporations vs. Government

Having worked in many legal environments, including a solo firm, law offices, government agencies, and corporate legal departments, Smith shared her perspective on what each setting offers in lessons and takeaways:

• Law firms offered camaraderie and support for bar activities but often required long hours, personal sacrifices, and billable hours targets.
• Government roles brought stability but often lacked resources. “We didn’t get a color copier at the Department of Justice for three years,” she recalls with a laugh.
• Corporate departments vary. Some are well-funded and structured, while others are surprisingly lean and frugal.

Workload and Wellness: Lessons Learned

No matter the setting, the demands of the work carried a constant weight: the pressure to perform, which eventually caught up with her. She had an anxiety attack that she mistook for a heart attack. This moment was a wake-up call that forced her to reevaluate how she worked and to prioritize her well-being alongside her professional commitments.

Her advice to others? “Communicate. If your workload is unmanageable, don’t wait until it affects your health.”

“I didn’t speak up. I never told my boss how burned out I was,” she admits. “If I had, he probably would have helped me reprioritize. I just didn’t give him the chance.”

The Value of Saying No

One of the most profound lessons Smith learned along the way was how to say no and mean it. After years of overcommitting, she finally embraced prioritization.

“In the past, I would juggle to avoid disappointing anyone. Now, I say, ‘I’d love to help, but here’s what I already have on my plate. What can be reassigned?”

She encourages newer paralegals to do the same:

“If you’re overwhelmed, don’t just internalize it. Lay it out. Share your bandwidth. Ask your supervisor to help you reprioritize.”

What Matters Most Now

When asked what she values most in a role, Smith doesn’t hesitate:

• Interesting work that keeps her mentally engaged
• A financially stable company
• Personal time that is respected

“It took me a long time to learn this,” she says. “But once I did, I stopped trying to be everything to everyone. I focus on what matters, and I advocate for myself.”

Longevity and Leadership

Learning to set those boundaries didn’t limit Smith’s career. It gave her the clarity to carve out a career that balances work, personal well-being, and professional influence. Her path reflects not only longevity but leadership. She currently serves on the NC State Bar’s Grievance Committee, having previously served on the NC State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification and the Appeals Subcommittee. Smith has also held various leadership positions within the Paralegal Division and the North Carolina Paralegal Association. In 2015, Smith received the Distinguished Paralegal award.

Life Beyond the Law

While Smith’s professional impact is impressive, she’s equally committed to the things that bring balance and joy outside of work. Smith is an avid reader who enjoys attending reader/author events, traveling, skydiving, and exploring local restaurants. Chinese dramas are her guilty pleasure, and she is learning Mandarin to watch them without subtitles. Smith has been “learning” to knit since 2007. Her current unfinished projects are a scarf and a baby blanket. The blanket’s intended recipient started fifth grade this year.

To New Paralegals: Stay Open, Stay Curious, Speak Up

Smith’s journey is proof that your first paralegal job doesn’t define your career. If you’re stuck, she advises: “Look around. One challenging job isn’t the whole profession. Keep learning, keep speaking up, and keep growing.”

Her career isn’t just about legal work. It’s about knowing your value, challenging the norms, and knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

Lakisha Chichester, ACP, NCCP, is a certified paralegal and real estate broker in Durham, NC. With over a decade of experience in legal and regulatory compliance, real estate, and corporate governance, she is passionate about staying at the forefront of legal and real estate trends. When not working, Lakisha enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and making memories with her six grandchildren.

***

The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog, the Communications Committee provides information written by attorneys, paralegals, and other experts designed specifically for paralegals in the areas of substantive law, ethics, technology, paralegal practice advice, and more. If you are interested in signing up to submit a blog post on a future date, you can do so here. When you are ready to submit a blog post, you can do so by using this form.

You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself. If you are interested in volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here.