
Looking for a way to connect to your community of Black legal support professional colleagues?
Join the National Association of Black Legal Assistants and Paralegals
Join the National Association of Black Legal Assistants & Paralegals
There is a lack of representation of Black legal support professionals in Ohio and across the country. There is a significant need for an association that specifically represents Black support staff in the legal industry and that is how National Association of Legal Assistants and Paralegals (NABLAP) was born. Our goal is simple: we want to increase the representation of Black legal assistants and paralegals within the industry. We want to offer professional development and critical networking opportunities to create (and ultimately strengthen) a community of Black legal support professionals.
Legal Assistant & Paralegal Spotlights
Name: Bianca Moore
Title: Paralegal II
City, State: Cleveland, Ohio
Length of time in the legal field: 7 years
Current employer: SITE Centers, Corp.
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal? I mostly enjoy working as a Paralegal because it is such a multifaceted career. There is more than one career path or field for a paralegal to be successful, and many nontraditional routes to explore. I never feel stuck on one, specific career track because the legal field has endless possibilities and being a paralegal allows you the opportunity to be a gamechanger for many different types of lawyers from various different businesses or companies.
Name: Cheneé Mays
Title: Litigation & Employment Paralegal & Project Management Associate
Length of time in the legal field: 17 years
Current employer: OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal? I enjoy working in the legal profession and continuously learning new things as well as being a part of a team that gets things done to the client’s satisfaction.
Name: Jaseka Mabry
Title: Litigation Paralegal
Length of time in the legal field: 5 years
Current employer: Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston & Zimet
City, State: Atlanta, Georgia
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant? As a child I wanted to be an attorney, so as I continue to pursue my law degree, being a paralegal grants me first-hand knowledge into the day to day workings of the legal field.
Name: Kema Ayers Jones
Title: Legal Secretary
Length of time in the legal field: 14 years
Current employer: Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant? The legal field has always been a passion of mine. Being a legal assistant/secretary allows me the joy of being hands on in the legal process. I enjoy seeing the fruits of my labor show within our legal system!
Name: Lisa Marie Lee
Title: Estate Administration Paralegal
Length of time in the legal field: 2 ½ Years
Current employer: Alexander & Pelli, LLC
City, State: Philadelphia, PA
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal? First, becoming a paralegal was a dream/goal of mine for a number of years. After working in a different profession for quite some time, I had the opportunity to return to school and make my dream become a reality. Second, I enjoy reading and researching things of interest. I took a business law course which peaked my interest in law and the legal system. Third, I’m an organized and detailed oriented person. I enjoy coordinating things and providing legal support while managing multiple case matters. Lastly, I have passion for education. I find that there’s always something new to learn. Working as a paralegal gives me the opportunity to utilize my administrative, technical and problem solving skills while applying my legal knowledge. I take pride in knowing that my skill set adds value and support not only to my fellow colleagues but the clients we serve.
Name: Valencia Younger
Title: Chief Legal Assistant: Records Restriction Unit
Length of time in the legal field: 5 Years
Current employer: Fulton County District Attorney
City, State: Atlanta, GA
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal? I wanted to become a legal assistant/paralegal because I wanted to help people. I enjoy learning the intricate parts of the law. It does have its demands but also there is so much reward when you get the results that you desire. As well as always learning and enhancing your communication skills.
As a Records Restriction legal assistant in the District Attorney's office, I assist people in gaining second chances. My team and I have a significant impact on the people and the community we serve to review their cases for restriction. Legal Assistants/Paralegals have the privilege of guiding and advocating for clients in challenging legal matters. While legal assistants/paralegals cannot provide legal advice, their sills serve as respected tools in diverse communities to contribute vital assistance to the community.
Name: Andrea Govan
Title: Legal Assistant
Length of time in the legal field: 31 years
Current employer: Bricker & Eckler LLP
City, State: Columbus, Ohio
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal? I enjoy the camaraderie of working within a diligent and conscientious team, along with the satisfaction of accomplishing goal-oriented work that benefits clients and the wider community.
Name: Robert A. Lawler, Jr.
Title: Legal Assistant, Business Litigation
Length of time in the legal field: 10 years
Current employer: Frost Brown Todd, LLC
City, State: Pittsburgh, PA
Why do you enjoy working as a Paralegal/Legal Assistant?
I enjoy working in the legal field because the study of law is the study of society. The arguments that are often presented by legal teams, pose as questions to the judicial system on implementation and interpretation of laws and rules. Law and society are like parts of a living organism that are constantly reshaping and redefining themselves to the mindset of its environment. When a change of mindset occurs, the law receives the same reaction of either expansion or further definition. It is constantly refreshing to hear a new argument on a law or rule that appears clear cut and to be a part of a team that brings forth those unique ideas of expansion or finer definition of thought, is a great feeling for me!