Paralegal Spotlight with Morag Polaski
Morag Polaski’s hobbies include involvement with the 4H Horse Club.
Q: Name, Position Title and/or major duties:
A: Morag Polaski, freelance paralegal
Q: Firm or Corporation/Location:
A: Just A Paralegal Virtual Services LLC
Q: Brief background of education, certification, etc.?
A: A paralegal certificate from Old Dominion University, a Bachelor of Science in History from Excelsior College, a Master of Liberal Studies in Social Science from Fort Hays State University, NALA CP certification, NALA ACP Certification in Child Custody, Support & Visitation; Social Security Disability; and Discovery, NCCP.
Q: What’s one thing you’d like to see the NCBA PD do/accomplish in the short term for its membership?
A: Encourage more freelancers
Q: How did you choose the paralegal field?
A: When I was a child, I wanted to be a lawyer, but realized that I didn’t have qualities of a good lawyer. I fell into being a paralegal by accepting a position as a receptionist at a law firm.
Q: What did you never think you would be doing that you are doing now (does not have to be work related)?
A: I never thought I’d be a guardian ad litem.
Q: Favorite podcast, favorite Netflix series?
A: “The Crown”
Q: What are you reading right now?
A: “Glastonbury” by Donna Fletcher Crow
Q: What do you do to relax (and why)?
A: I spin wool into yarn and I knit.
Q: What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?
A: The fact that my teenager has lived this long. Professionally though, that would be starting my own freelance business.
Q: What has surprised you most about working in the legal field?
A: The diversity in it
Q: What do you find most challenging about the paralegal field?
A: Attorneys. No, seriously, the hidebound attitude that remote or telecommuting work is somehow lesser than working in an office.
Q: What’s the best and worst thing to happen since you started working as a paralegal?
A: It’s the same thing — getting fired from my paralegal job and starting my own business.
Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: That I’m involved in a historical re-creation group.
Q: What do you think will change in the paralegal field over the next five years?
A: I hope that virtual law offices and paralegals will become more accepted.
Q: What sort of trends do you see in the legal field that will bring change in the near future?
A: I think the LLLT licensure will be huge and will allow paralegals to have more autonomy and give them another outlet for professional advancement.
Q: How would your co-workers describe you?
A: Being a freelancer means no coworkers.
Q: What do you do when you aren’t working?
A: Reading, watching TV, doing historical stuff, knitting, spinning
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In 10 years, I would like to be exploring and learning new practice areas and running a thriving freelance business.
Compiled by Alicia Mitchell-Mercer