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Kroger Gardis & Regas LLP
Vincennes University, paralegal studies, 1993
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology management
Why did you decide to become a paralegal/legal support staffer?
I didn’t start out wanting to be a paralegal. I initially went to college to be a computer programmer. But after seeing someone I know enter the paralegal program, I decided to do the same. While e-discovery is not “programming,” I am still using and learning the technology aspect for my career daily.
What makes a good paralegal/legal support staffer?
I think a couple of traits are important to be a good paralegal/legal support staffer. First, you must be able to pivot at the last minute. You might have your day lined up with what needs to be done, but inevitably there will be an emergency and everything on that list gets put to the side. The second thing that makes a good paralegal/legal support staffer is attention to the details. You are the last person who sees a work-product before it is filed. It is amazing how something as small as a comma being in the wrong place might be missed after being read through numerous times beforehand.
What makes a good lawyer?
Wow, that could be a loaded question. To me, what makes a good lawyer is having the ability to admit when they are wrong or don’t know something. We are all a team. Each one of us has a skill set that makes the team run like a well-oiled machine. Not one of the team members knows everything. I appreciate an attorney who can admit they’ve never done something, never heard of it or need assistance on how to handle something.
What’s something people might not know about the legal support profession?
It is amazing how far we have come and the things that we are constantly learning and doing. From gaining recognition to changing processes, this profession is different and better than it was 24 years ago.
What would you say to someone who is considering a career in legal support?
Why not? Soak up everything you can, take any class you have access to and be willing to be humble.
Tell us about a “lesson learned” moment in your career.
I’ve had so many, but the biggest one for me is checking the ego at the door. You have to be humble. When I started, I felt like I knew way more than I actually did. I am constantly learning. Laws change and with technology ever evolving, there is always something
to learn.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
When I was in elementary school, I was photographed by my hometown local newspaper teaching a boy how to write.
If you weren’t working in legal support, what would you be doing?
I’ve been doing this for so long that I can’t imagine doing anything else. There is just something about being in litigation that is exciting and challenging. I love finding those “needles in the haystack” that can make or break a case.
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