Friday, April 15, 2011

Paralegal Profile: Nancy L. Jordahl, CP, FRP

Nancy L. Jordahl, CP, FRP is a paralegal with Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, PA in Orlando, FL. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Russian Studies from Stetson University and graduated with honors from the Rollins College Paralegal Studies Program.

1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I was working as a retail manager for Camelot Music and got fed up of the way I was being treated by some of the customers. So I took a test in a career aptitude book and it said I would be a good paralegal.

2. Do you specialize in any particular area of the law? Breach of Warranty, Insurance Defense, and Corporate Defense.

3. What is your favorite part of your job? Going to trial.

4. What professional associations do you belong to? National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), Central Florida Paralegal Association, Inc. (CFPA), Florida Bar Registered Paralegal and Orange County Bar Association Paralegal Section.

I also serve on the Advisory Board for the paralegal program for Keiser University in Orlando.
5. How has your membership benefited you? In many ways but I consider the most important to be friendship and networking.

6. What has been the highlight of your career? Being named Paralegal of the Year by the Central Florida Paralegal Association in 2010.

7. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Electronic discovery.

8. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would you tell them? You have to want to work hard and be self-motivated. This is not a job for people that want to goof off all day at work.

9. Is there a quote that inspires you? "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." Frank Lloyd Wright

10. You've enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? Me for working hard and not giving up when things get tough and my parents for their work ethic.

11. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Be involved in professional organizations and keep on learning. I also think you shouldn't be afraid to ask your attorneys in your office for different challenges.

12. What was your first job? Babysitting. I say that is the reason I never had children.

13. What is the one thing you wish you were better at? I wish I was better at communicating my thoughts to others. It is something I really struggle with.

Bonus - Just for Fun Question: What was the riskiest thing you ever did? The riskiest thing I ever did was...ride a bike (not my own) back to the place I was staying in the outskirts of New Orleans from downtown New Orleans on Fat Tuesday.

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