Monday, May 17, 2010

Paralegal Profile: Melisa Dawn Frick, ACP

Thanks to Melisa Dawn Frick, ACP, President of CAPA and PASCCO for taking the time to answer The Paralegal Mentor's Thirteen Questions!


Melissa Dawn Frick, ACP
~ Newark, California
President of CAPA and PASCCO

1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I am employed by Livescribe Inc. as a Senior Paralegal.

2. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I heard it was where the growth was, and fifteen years later I am still g
rowing daily. Challenges abound, and no day is ever the same. I love it!

3. What is your favorite part of your job? Finding that needle in the haystack moment whether it is dealing with an employment issue, intellectual property dispute, or reviewing a contact. It doesn't come along often, but when it does there is nothing like it.

4. What professional associations do you belong to?
Paralegal Association of Santa Clara County, 2010 President
California Alliance of Paralegal Associations, 2010 President
National Association of Legal Assistants, 2010 LEAP Participant
National Notary Association

5. How has your membership benefited you? It is great to have friends who are paralegals with knowledge from across the county, state and nation. I have had many experiences where I found that by picking up the phone or sending a quick email, the answer would be found. I have also had many friends who have served as referrals for jobs, and I would never have had that without my membership with the associations.

6. Do you have any professional certifications? I have an Advanced Certified Paralegal (APC) certification in Intellectual Property from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). I am also a Notary Public.

7. What has been the highlight of your career? Serving as President of my local and state-wide associations. I love meeting other paralegals from all around California and knowing that what I do does make a difference in their professional life.

8. What do yo
u see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? I think that, unfortunately, more paralegal jobs are being outsourced in California. The economy has forced firms, business, and governments to cut back on expenses. The legal community seems to have a hard time understanding the full benefits of the paralegal profession, and that we don't want to take the place of attorneys.

9. Have you dipped your toes in the social media waters? I love LinkedIn. It's really set up for the professional world, and I love that I can jump on the site to look up potential co-workers, bosses, and 'need to know' folks in the legal industry.

I have a Facebook page, but it is 100% for my family and friends. I don't mix the two Media. I don't want my business partners to look through pictures of family and children.

I have two different worlds, and I don't want them to become one. My home life is personal, and my work life is professional.

10. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Don't be afraid to start from the bottom. If the job is 50% paralegal and 50% secretary TAKE IT. Learn what you can from the experience and develop the skills to take you to the next step. Don't ever think you are too good for anything, take it all as a character-building, skill-setting, patience-creating experience.

11. Is there a quote that inspires you? My father died when I was four. He fought cancer for five years, and finally lost the battle. He carried around in his wallet a poem titled 'Just for Today'. The poem is a religious poem that starts with 'Lord, for tomorrow and its needs, I do not pray.' I read it every morning to remind me to keep focused on today, and deal with tomorrow when it comes.

12. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I don't think it is possible to say a single event or person. A true paralegal learns throughout their career how to be successful and how to continue to grow.

13. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Stop being a paralegal! Okay, that sounds a little weird, but a couple of years ago I was bored with being a paralegal. I wanted to try something different, so I went into sales. Oh boy, what a mistake! I am not a salesperson! But the experience was invaluable to me.

I learned that what I was, and who I am is a paralegal. I love being part of a team. I love working with clients. I love drafting documents and reviewing files. It was a strange adventure that ended up leading me back to the path I had been on. I found that everything I thought I was bored with was exactly what I loved about the job.

This year again, I stepped out of my typical paralegal role, and started teaching at an ABA-approved paralegal program. Wow! The experience of sharing my career with others has opened a whole new passion for my career.

I firmly believe that if skilled paralegals would take a moment to step out of their role and see what else is out there, they would discover the passion inside of them again.

Bonus...just for fun fact: I spent a couple of years as a Little League umpire. I have never had such sore knees and so much fun in my life. I found that being a paralegal is a lot like a Little League umpire, you need to know who the players are, and pay attention to the smallest detail.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Paralegal Profile: Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS, NALS President

Thanks to Patricia E. Infanti, PP, PLS, NALS President 2010-2011 for taking the time to answer The Paralegal Mentor's Thirteen Questions! Patti was a terrific guest on a recent episode of The Paralegal Voice where we discussed the value of professional association membership with her and Kathleen Amirante, PP, PLS, NALS President Elect.

1. Where do you work and what is your job title? I am a Legal Administrative Assistant with Ballard Spahr LLP in Philadelphia.

2. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? In essence, I have been doing paralegal duties for my entire 33 year career, though my title has been legal secretary for most of that time.

I chose a legal career because I was intrigued by what happens in a law office, and I stayed because the work is challenging and stimulating - no two days are the same.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? I have two: interacting with clients and completing projects.

4. What professional associations do you belong to? NALS . . . the association for legal professionals, NALS of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Legal Secretaries Association, and the Philadelphia Bar Association.

5. How has your membership benefited you? Without a doubt, NALS has supported me in my belief that the legal secretarial field is a viable and exciting career path. NALS has provided me with many avenues within which to further my education and professional development, including voluntary certification.

6. Do you have any professional certifications? Yes. I am a certified as a Professional Legal Secretary and as a Professional Paralegal.

7. What has been the highlight of your career? Without a doubt, passing the Professional Legal Secretary certification examination was a career-altering event for me. At that time, it was a two-day, seven-part examination, and it was empowering to receive the letter congratulating me for passing the exam.The second highlight is being installed as NALS 40th President in March 2010.

8. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? I believe you will see more and more paralegals being asked to do more administrative tasks as legal secretary numbers are reduced.

9. Have you dipped your toes in the social media waters? Yes, I have. Here are my links:
http://www.nalsnet.ning.com/profile/PatriciaEInfantiPPPLS
http://www.linkin.com/in/pattipp
http://www.facebook.com/PattiPP
http://www.twitter.com/PattiPP
10. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? First, I would tell them how exciting it is to be in the legal field. Then I would advise them

(i) not to believe whatever preconceived notions they may have learned about paralegals through television and movies;

(ii) that a paralegal career is rewarding and challenging, and consists of quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work with attorneys and staff;

(iii) that they should master software programs (such as Word, Excel, case management software, calendaring software, etc.);

(iv) that they must possess excellent organization skills and be willing to do whatever is necessary to meet deadlines;

(v) that they must master the art of working with all different types of personalities who have different work habits and preferences; and

(vi) that they must be willing to take on administrative tasks when asked to do so.

11. Is there a quote that inspires you? I have two: 'Can't' never did anything. 'Can't' never could. (I don't know exactly whose quote it is, but it seems that most mothers in my generation would utter this one in one form or another); and 'For nothing is impossible to God' Luke 1:37.

12. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? Mary E. Scarduzio, legal secretary and office manager to the founding partner of the first law firm I worked (Saverio R. Principato, Esquire), who had the patience to teach me what I needed to know to work in the legal field.

13. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Do not rest on your laurels. Always seek to learn something new (including new legal practice areas) or to tackle a complex project. It will help you grow and hone your skills.

Bonus...just for fun questions:

What electronic device can you not live without?

My Droid! Love it!

If you had to be in any other profession other than a paralegal, what would it be? Personal coach. I would find it very rewarding to help others in their careers.