Sunday, October 3, 2010

Paralegal Profile: Tina Brower Medlock, ACP

Tina Brower Medlock, ACP, of North Little Rock, Arkansas answers my Thirteen Questions. You'll enjoy reading the questions Tina answered, particularly her take on hot trends in the industry...and the strangest food she's ever tried. Thanks, Tina!
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1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I'm the Senior Paralegal at Hyden, Miron & Foster, PLLC, in Little Rock, Arkansas. .

2. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? My first job in a legal office was for a sole practitioner. He liked that I didn't have any bad habits and he could train me the way he wanted.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? I love to write, and I do a lot of it here. I also love my clients. I've been here 14 years -- some of my clients are like my extended family.

4. What professional associations do you belong to? I'm a NALA member, and I'm also a member of the Arkansas Paralegal Alliance, Inc. where I'm currently serving as President.. I'm also a new member of Toastmasters.

5. How has your membership benefited you? The networking possibilities are tremendous. Also, involvement has pushed me to learn new things about my profession and myself.

6. Do you have any professional certifications? I'm a NALA Certified Paralegal, and I have an Advanced Certification in Probate and Estate Planning.

7. What has been the highlight of your career? I have two: My members naming me Paralegal of the Year this year, and accepting the special award on behalf of APA at this year's NALA convention.

8. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Definitely Project Management. I think those skills work well with what paralegals are asked to do every day. Some of us already do it without thinking about it, but learning more about it makes us more valuable team members.

9. Have you dipped your toes in the social media waters? I'm on Facebook and LinkedIn, and I frequently visit the NALA Conference Center. Possibly in the future I could see myself writing some sort of blog.

10. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Don't get into the field because it's the "hot" job to have. Likewise, don't pick a field of law because it's popular at the present moment. Anything you do should be because you have a skill for it and a passion to do it.

11. Is there a quote that inspires you? "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." ~Eleanor Roosevelt

12. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I don't think there is a single person. I've been taught my whole life to work hard and always do a good job. That started with my mother and has continued through the teachers I've had on the job.

13. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Never stop learning -- about your field, about other things you'd like to pursue, or a hobby you like. Plus, learn to sincerely and honestly communicate with people.

Bonus...just for fun questions:

What is the strangest thing you ever ate? Squirrel. It was by accident -- my mother tricked me into thinking it was a really tiny chicken.

What's the worst gift you ever received? My ex-husband gave me fake roses from the corner gas station for almost every occasion while we were married.

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