Invest in Your Career: Why Attending Paralegal Conferences Pays Off

Lakisha, a Black woman with black hair in a bun, wears a black sleeveless shirt and gold earrings.By Lakisha Chichester

I entered the paralegal field in 2011 as a mid-career pivot. I was juggling school, working an entry-level paralegal job, and raising school-aged kids. The thought of taking time off or traveling for a conference was not on my to-do list, but I did wonder if attending conferences might pay off in terms of professional growth or getting me closer to my dream job and salary. I asked other paralegals about their experiences, and the responses were all over the place — from “don’t waste your time” to “conferences are worth their weight in gold.” Ultimately, I decided to take a chance and invest in my career.

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10 Points of Retirement Planning: An Overview of Recommendations from Professionals

Martin, a white man with white hair and a beard, wears a pale blue button-down shirt.By Martin A. Ginsburg

Retirement is a significant milestone in life, and preparing for it requires careful planning, smart investments, and a disciplined savings strategy. With the right plan in place, you can ensure a financially stable and fulfilling retirement. This guide aims to provide a thorough overview of retirement planning, from setting your goals to making the most of your Social Security benefits and managing healthcare costs. Whether you are just starting your paralegal career or nearing retirement, this comprehensive guide will help you develop a clear strategy to meet your retirement goals.

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Paralegal Spotlight: Alexa Lyles Brinegar’s One-Stop Shop to the Legal Field

Alexa Lyles Brinegar is a woman with blond hair. She wears teal blouse and is standing in front of a bookshelf with legal books.

Alexa Lyles Brinegar

By Yazmeen O. Gadalla

Many people know what career they want to pursue. They research options, do internships, and seek other avenues to find that perfect choice. And sometimes, the career and opportunities find them in the most inconspicuous of places.

Alexa Lyles Brinegar recounts how she started her voyage into the vast field of law. A little over five years ago, Alexa, who had relocated to North Carolina from her native state of Oregon, was working in a coffee shop. Alexa had been there for a while, chatting with regulars while working hard to provide excellent service. It was that hard work that got the attention of an attorney whom she had connected with. He approached her with an offer his assistant was leaving, and he asked if she would be interested in interviewing for the position. This exchange would begin Alexa’s career into the legal field. As Alexa said, “An opportunity looks at you, and it’s presented to you on a platter. It would have been stupid to not try it out and see.”

Alexa, who has been working with the same attorney, Richard “Blake” Cheek, at The Law Office of Partin & Cheek, P.L.L.C. for over five years now, started out as a part-time assistant before moving into her current role as a paralegal. In that time span, Alexa obtained her associate degree in Paralegal Technologies and Paralegal Technologies certificates in Litigation and Real Property from Surry Community College. She became a North Carolina Certified Paralegal in May 2023. Alexa’s role as a paralegal includes assisting with the firm’s criminal and civil work. Blake Cheek is also the Department of Social Services attorney for Surry and Wilkes, and Alexa helps with those matters.

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What is a Paralegal’s Role in Higher Education?

By Tina Dadio

What is a paralegal’s role in higher education? This question was posed to me during one of our North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division’s Annual Meetings. The first thought that came to mind was the relief of no longer living my life in six-minute increments! The next was the realization that paralegals and attorneys in higher education wear many hats when dealing with legal matters within a university.

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Work-Life Balance and Wellness

Bonnie, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white blouse. By Bonnie Keen

The legal profession has some of the most overwhelming workloads. It can be easy to get caught up in overscheduling and becoming stressed before the end of the day. Often, the amount of time tasks will take is underestimated, which leaves employees playing catch up or lawyers having to stay late at the office or take work home. The quality of your work-life balance can contribute directly to your overall health and wellness, which, in turn, will help your productivity and work product in the long term.

Healthy Strategies to Improve Work-Life Balance

Exercise

Even if all you have time for is two small breaks a day, get outside and walk or jog. If getting outside for fresh air is not feasible, then walking pads are an affordable alternative. If you can, try to get to the gym three times a week at a time that works best for you. A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can relieve stress and improve mental clarity, allowing you to think about how to structure your work tasks better for your week.

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Announcing the Winner of the Spring 2024 Paralegal Division Scholarship

By the Scholarship Committee and Communications Committee

The Scholarship Committee had several excellent student essays submitted for the Spring 2024 Paralegal Division Student Scholarship. This fall’s topic was “The Importance of Networking: Building Connections in the Working World.” The Paralegal Division is proud to announce that Lathie Forrester is the winner of the Spring 2024 Scholarship. Below, you can learn more about Lathie and read her essay.

Thank you to all the students who submitted essays. We look forward to your submissions for the 2024 Fall Scholarship!

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Ethical and Practical AI Use for Paralegals: Part 1

By Rachel L. Royal 

The legal field is notoriously slow to change, particularly with technology, and the use of AI is no exception. When I first heard about ChatGPT in 2022, I was staunchly against using it. My resistance stemmed from various reasons, but chiefly, I felt like it was “cheating.” Because I have always taken education and good grades very seriously, it was difficult to overcome this mindset.

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Introducing the Survey Committee: Shaping the Future of the NCBA Paralegal Division Community

Tina, a woman with brown hair, wears wire-rimmed glasses, a grey blouse and jacket and is smiling. By Tina Dadio Kimberly, a Black woman with black hair and clear glasses, wears a blue blouse and jacket with sparkles and a white beaded necklace.and Kimberly M. Johnson

The NCBA Paralegal Division is thrilled to announce the members of the Survey Committee, a dedicated team focused on gathering and analyzing feedback from our members across the state. This initiative aims to ensure our members’ needs and interests are at the forefront of our programs, events, and resources. We believe that by listening to our members, we can create a more vibrant and supportive environment for professional growth and development.

Meet the Survey Committee

Our Survey Committee is composed of experienced paralegals who are passionate about enhancing the paralegal profession. Each member brings unique insights and expertise to the table, ensuring a comprehensive approach to gathering and interpreting survey data.

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Welcome to the 2024-2025 Year

By Alice L. Johnson Alice, a Black woman with black hair, wears an orange button-down blouse and black blazer.

Dear Paralegal Division Members:

My name is Alice Johnson, and I am honored to serve as your Chair for the 2024-2025 bar year.

We look forward to your involvement with the Paralegal Division and are grateful for your support.

Your 2024-2025 Officers and Council Members are:

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Announcement of the 2024-2025 Premier Pass Giveaway Winners!

By the Scholarship Committee

The Scholarship Committee would like to thank those who took the time to submit applications for the 2024-2025 Premier Pass Giveaway. We had a total of 90 applications submitted!

What is the Premier Pass?

The Premier Pass is valued at $350 and is an exclusive NCBA member benefit providing you unlimited CLE/CPE, including access to hundreds of On-Demand programs throughout the bar year (July 1 to June 30). Access more information on the Premier Pass here. Premier Pass is credited as “one of the best investments, not only for your business, but for your practice and being able to serve your clients the best way possible.”

With all that being said, can I have a drumroll, please . . . the winners of the two 2024-2025 Premier Pass Giveaways are Meredith Sawyer of James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A., and Jennifer Vaden Poe of Gordon Law Offices!

Thank you again to all who applied – please try again next year! Could there be an easier way to get free CLEs for a year?