Paralegal Spotlight: Joan Sprinkle, NCCP

By the Communications Committee

Paralegal Spotlight is the Division’s monthly publication designed to share Division members’ stories with colleagues, inspire present and future paralegal professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association.

Each month, we select one amazing paralegal from among our membership and ask them to share about their personal and professional life. Join Paralegal Spotlight as we learn more about member talents, skills, personal and professional goals, technology tips, accomplishments, volunteer work, and more.

This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Joan Sprinkle, NCCP.

Position Title: Paralegal, Administrator, Building Manager.

Major Duties: Workers’ Compensation case management, personal injury case management, wrongful death case management, office admin and building management.

Who is your current employer? Ganly & Ramer in Asheville.

What is your educational background? I have a Master of Public Policy from Regent University (2005) and Bachelor of Arts in politics and law from the University of North Carolina at Asheville (1991).

What paralegal certification(s) do you have? NCCP.

How long have you worked as a paralegal? 31+ years

What’s one thing you’d like to see the NCBA PD do/accomplish for its membership? I’d like to see paralegals connect more throughout the state.

Was being a paralegal your first career or did you transition from another field? I had worked in retail and financial services prior to working at Ganly & Ramer. These jobs were not really careers but learning experiences that helped me look into law.

How did you choose the paralegal field? I originally planned to go to law school but that never worked out. I have a pretty comfortable gig at Ganly & Ramer, so I stayed.

What did you never think you would be doing that you are doing now (does not have to be work-related)? I’m a competitive masters weightlifter. I’m also a video camera operator with the production team at church.

Favorite podcast, favorite Netflix (or other streaming service) series? Podcasts: Unbeatable Mind, the Tim Ferriss Show, and Stand to Reason.

What are you reading right now? “Stick With It” by Sean Young, “Tools of Titans” by Tim Ferriss, and “Spy the Lie” by Philip Houston.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment? I homeschooled my daughter from third grade to graduation. She made the president’s list in college, so I consider that a good sign that I did well. I also set national records in Masters Weightlifting in 2017.

What do you find most challenging about the paralegal field? The volume of work and how unpredictable each case can be. Looking at a pile of papers/files or a hundred emails and having to choose where to start.

What are some volunteer organizations you have worked with? Louder Than Words Mission Adventures, Carolina Christian School (Board Member), and at my church.

Share something about yourself that you’re working on improving, and how you think (XYZ) will be better/more productive/run more smoothly once you’ve accomplished your goal. I am currently taking photography classes at a local community college, just to learn how to do photography better. I want to know how to use my camera and how to make sure I get good photos of the wonderful places where I travel.

What role model or influencer shaped who you are now and what lessons have you learned from them? My weightlifting coach, Becca Lee. She’s a tiny thing and super strong with a great big heart and often says, “everything is OK.” If I lift heavy, it’s OK, if I have bad form, it’s OK, and if I show up at the gym and only eat popsicles and play with dogs, that’s OK too, we’ll get back on track tomorrow or next week.

What do you think will change in the paralegal field over the next five years? Remote opportunities.

If you weren’t a paralegal, what would you be doing instead? Teaching, coaching, or a working as a photographer/videographer.

What sort of trends do you see in the legal field that will bring change in the near future? Because of the COVID-19-forced remote operations, I think the entire legal field will be more flexible, and there will be more and different opportunities.

What do you do when you aren’t working? I go to the gym, cook, take photographs, read/study, travel, listen to music, and spend time with my family/friends.

What has been your biggest obstacle in life and how have you mastered it? Managing Time . . . there is so much to do and experience, and so much to learn, and so many places to go and so many photos to take, and I want to do it all. My day-to-day life is very structured and may seem boring to some, but I am really very flexible. I can almost on a moment’s notice take off and go on an adventure.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Retired. Traveling and taking photos!

The Division congratulates Joan Sprinkle for her accomplishments and appreciates her for participating in Paralegal Spotlight. If you are interested in networking with Ms. Sprinkle, you can connect with her on Linkedin.

 

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The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog and listserv, 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 volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair, Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other Division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here. You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, submitting a proposed blog post, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself.