How many times did Dad say, “Do the right thing.”
How about when Grandma said, “Do it right the first time, and you don’t have to do it again.”
Or better yet, when an office mate quips, “Make sure to C-Y-A!”
In an odd way, those expressions have origins in the working man’s or woman’s view of ethics.
Let’s talk about it. Read more
Hello to all of our wonderful Paralegal Division members! It is with great pleasure that I introduce myself to you as your 2022-23 Paralegal Division Chair. I would like to introduce you to this year’s officers:
Yazmeen Gadalla is a North Carolina Certified Paralegal currently employed at Hendren, Redwine & Malone, PLLC as a Bankruptcy Paralegal. Prior to joining Hendren, Redwine & Malone in 2020, Gadalla was employed with Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, L.L.P. from 2019 to 2020, assisting start-up corporate clients with the formation of corporations and other business-related matters. Gadalla was also employed by Waldrep LLP from 2017 to 2019, where she provided essential support to their health care and bankruptcy practices, regularly assisting the attorneys with a wide variety of business bankruptcy matters in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 12 proceedings. As a paralegal at Hendren, Redwine & Malone, Gadalla focuses on Chapter 7 and 11 bankruptcies and state court matters. Gadalla is the current Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Paralegal Division and serves as co-chair on the Communications, Long-Term Planning, Membership and Scholarship Committees. Gadalla holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, cum laude, from North Carolina State University, as well as her paralegal certificate from the Guilford College Paralegal Program.
By the Special Nominations Committee 
On June 23, 2022, the North Carolina State Bar Board of Paralegal Certification (hereinafter the “Board”) notified the North Carolina Bar Association Paralegal Division (hereinafter the “Division”) of a call for nominations pursuant to 27 N.C.A.C. Chapter 1G – Section .0105 to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Board.
For more information on the differences between the Division and the Board, as well as a detailed explanation of the process, you can see the prior blog post written by the 2021-2022 Chair, Shawana Almendarez.
Voting began for the opening on August 15, 2022, and ends on September 1, 2022.
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Peggy Pardue
As a Family Law paralegal, assisting clients with regard to child custody and child support is an important skill used daily. A paralegal may be the first point of contact for a client. Sometimes, when a client comes to your office in the early stage of their case, they are like a deer in headlights. As a paralegal, we can help give them direction and guidance.
Helping a client navigate a child support case can be challenging because there are so many documents necessary. You would be surprised at how many people do not know how to access their financial information, insurance information, or child care information – all of which are necessary to calculate child support. It is the paralegal’s duty to walk them through how to obtain this type of information. Another challenge is when the party that has to pay child support is resentful of having to pay. They think they are paying the other person money for that parent to use when in reality, it is for the benefit of the children. Paralegals need to remind clients that child support helps to pay for food, clothing, and housing for their children. Keeping clients focused on the needs of their children is key in a relationship between a paralegal and their client.
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.
By Rachel Royal
On September 24, 2022, the Charlotte Expunction Clinic will again be held at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse. This project is a partnership of the following organizations: the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center (PBRC), the SelfServe Center, and the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and Public Defender’s Office. During the clinics, volunteer public defenders offer advice to applicants regarding their eligibility for expunction relief under North Carolina law.
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:
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.
By Katie Riddle
Why does the word “no,” a two-letter, concise word, carry such a heavy weight when used in a professional setting?
I think of the use of the word “no” in my personal life. My husband may ask if we should have dinner at one restaurant, and I am not anxious or worried when I respond “no, I would prefer eating at this particular restaurant.” Or I think of the times when I have to say no to my sweet dogs that are just begging for their fifth treat for the day. So why is it so hard to use the word “no” professionally?
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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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.
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.
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!
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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.
Cleo Le Anne Ackerman
The Scholarship Committee had an amazing selection of student essays submitted for the Spring 2022 Paralegal Division Student Scholarship. The topic, “What do you envision your day-to-day life of a paralegal to be?” allowed for students to outline their expectations of the paralegal career, and for some, detail what it can offer them for a brighter future. While each essay was fantastic, there was only room for one winner.
We are excited to announce that the winner is Cleo Le Anne Ackerman! Cleo is a student at Johnston Community College’s Paralegal Technology Program. Her essay not only offered her personal insight as to what the paralegal profession would be like day to day, but also showed the challenges she has faced and those she hopes to overcome with a career as a paralegal. We hope you will take the time to read her essay below and congratulate her for her award!
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