By the Pro Bono Committee

In early 2022, the North Carolina Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee approved a new pro bono award. This award was to recognize a paralegal who has proven to be dedicated to providing pro bono legal services. The qualifications for this award include volunteering “a substantial amount of time in pro bono legal service to increase access to justice.” At the 2022 North Carolina Bar Association Annual Meeting, Katie Riddle was announced as the inaugural winner of this award.

Read more

By the Communications Committee

This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Jennifer Gaff, a Senior Litigation Paralegal at Raleigh Law Center.

Jennifer is a North Carolina Certified Paralegal who has been a paralegal for the past 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UNC Charlotte, and then later obtained her Paralegal Program Certificate from Meredith College. Jennifer spends her workdays drafting pleadings, discovery, and separation agreements, trial preparation, attending court when needed, calendaring hearings and mediations, and the list goes on. When off the clock, Jennifer likes to go to the gym or to spend time with her family and friends.

We asked Jennifer some questions to better understand this division member’s story:

What do you do to relax (and why)?

I have learned over the past couple of months that I love to grill. So my idea of relaxing, especially after a long hard day, is to sit on my deck with my pups, Bentley and Daisy, with a Truly and a grill dinner.

Read more

By the Communications Committee

Each year, the North Carolina Bar Association’s Paralegal Division seeks nominations for a Paralegal Division regular member who has actively participated in paralegal activities, such as civic/community volunteering, paralegal leadership, paralegal education, and promotion of the paralegal profession during the nomination period.  This year, the Awards Committee was proud to present the award to Grace Ward.

Grace is a North Carolina Certified Paralegal who has been working as a paralegal since 1986.  She is currently employed by Allman Spry Davis Leggett & Crumpler P.A. in Winston-Salem. Grace had previously been with Davis & Harwell P.A. since January of 1990, but when the firm merged with Allman Spry Leggett & Crumpler P.A in May of 2014, she continued her career alongside them. She has been with firm ever since.

In addition to her work, Grace has also been involved with a number of volunteer organizations throughout her life. She has served as Chair, Vice-Chair, and a Council Member for the (then) Legal Assistants Division of the North Carolina Bar Association; member of the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification and Grievance Committee; member of the North Carolina Community College Paralegal Advisory Committee; member of the Alliance for Paralegal Professional Standards; member of the Wade Edwards High School Mock Trial Competition; Guest speaker for Wake Forest University School of Law’s Intensive Family Law Class; Guest speaker for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; and member of the Lexington High School Band Parents Association.

In honor of her award, we asked Grace to share some of her story with us.

Was being a paralegal your first career, or did you transition from another field?

Being a paralegal was a natural profession for me. I love mysteries, puzzles, and helping make a positive difference for others. I was fortunate to work for a lawyer who encouraged me to attend a local community college paralegal program. While working full time as a paralegal, having a family, and an encouraging husband, I earned my associate degree in Paralegal Technology from Davidson County Community College, and my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Salem College. The attorneys I work with help me exercise my skills and strengthen my desire to learn. My thirst for knowledge and understanding continues every day. If I do not understand a concept or am not familiar with a topic, I read and learn until I do.

What did you never think you would be doing that you are doing now (does not have to be work-related)?

Gardening is satisfying for me. I work hard planting and weeding; the result is a beautiful flower or a delicious vegetable. This year, my husband agreed for our home to be part of the Davidson County Master Gardeners Tour. I definitely am out of my comfort zone! Luckily, my neighbor is a master gardener, and has taught me a lot the past two years. I read and watch a lot of gardening shows and enjoy learning various methods of gardening. I never thought I would be involved in a garden tour. Hopefully the attendees will enjoy their visit. As my husband says, “It is what it is.”

What are you reading right now?

“The Magical World of Moss Gardening” by Annie Martin. I became curious about the number one crop in our nation – lawns. The damage lawn mowers and blowers cause to our environment is almost equivalent to the damage of automobiles. Recently, I began studying how to grow moss instead of a lawn. I don’t know that I will give up my lawn, but I have begun to cultivate a moss garden.

What do you do to relax (and why)?

I enjoy laughter with my family, so spending a day with family and friends rejuvenates me. As life progresses, I realize how precious time spent with those who are important in my life is. My daughters provide invigorating conversation and insight to views different than mine, and my granddaughter has brought a special sparkle to my life and definitely helps me relax.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

In my professional life, my biggest accomplishment is sharing with another paralegal what little bit of knowledge I have attained. Charles Dickens said, “No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Years ago, I had the opportunity to work with a young paralegal. I shared as much of my experience, tips and techniques that she could absorb during our short time together. She was the perfect student. Not too long ago, I received an email from her telling me just how much that experience made a difference in her life. Helping another to have a successful career is my biggest professional accomplishment. I hope I get the chance to do it again.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?

With my southern accent, many people may be surprised to learn I was born in Florida. My maternal grandfather was born and is now buried at Pedro Castle on Grand Cayman. I lived in Grand Cayman in my youth and attended a British school. I learned to sail and eat breadfruit and Jamaican patties. Living with people of different cultures helped me to be sensitive to how others may feel coming to my town.

Thank you, Grace, for sharing your story with the Paralegal Division. We congratulate you again for being the 2022 Distinguished Paralegal Award recipient!

***
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.

By the Communications Committee

This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Peggy Pardue.

I am a North Carolina Certified Paralegal at Hampson Family Law located in Raleigh.

I attended Elon college for one year before transitioning my studies to a community college. I also became a notary public in the ’80s. While formal education may be the best route for some people, experience was the best way for me to learn the skills I needed to become a successful paralegal.

Initially, I worked full time at the North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners in their disciplinary section. This position gave me a taste of the legal world. After working there for eight years, I transitioned into the role of an Executive Administrative Assistant with a local propane company. After a couple of years as an Executive Administrative Assistant when my son was young, and I had been through a divorce and remarried, I started working in a family law firm. This position gave me and continues to give me the opportunity to do something to help others who are going through similar circumstances. I thought that passion and calling would have led me to Child Support Enforcement, but I found my home with family law. As of May 2022, I have served in the legal field for 19 years.

Read more