Paralegal Profile: Carol Kuhn, CP, NCCP

Paralegal Profile: Carol Kuhn, CP, NCCP

Carol Kuhn, CP, NCCP is a Litigation Paralegal with Hornthal, Riley, Ellis & Maland, LLP in Elizabeth City, NC. She has a Bachelors degree from the University of Memphis and a paralegal certificate from Tidewater Community College. Carol earned certification credentials from NALA and the North Carolina State Bar as well.

Thanks, Carol!

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1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career?  I loved the law, but didn’t want the stress or responsibility of being a lawyer, so I chose what I thought was a happy medium and still feel that I am helping people.

2. What is your favorite part of your job?  Drafting and Research

3. What professional associations do you belong to?   NALA (www.nala.org)

4. How has your membership benefited you?   It has provided unlimited continuing education and networking with other paralegals nationwide.  That networking has allowed me to find reliable court reporters and location to hold depositions nationwide. It also helped me to transfer from Memphis, Tennessee to Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

5. What has been the highlight of your career?  Being part of a team that won a huge case (over 6 figures) which had over 5 million documents that I had to keep track of as well as the over 1000 deposition exhibits.

6. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry?   The requirement in more states for certifications (but I wish they all required testing, not just paying application fees).

7. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be?    Make sure you get proper training, keep current on laws, filing fees, and developments in your state and federal laws through your CLE’s.  It is a fun, challenging and rewarding career.

8. Is there a quote that inspires you?  Anger is the wind that blows out the lamp of the mind.

9.  You’ve enjoyed a successful paralegal career.  To what single event or person do you attribute that success?   Pam Cobb, now deceased, who encouraged me to get back into the legal field after a 6 year absence and convincing me I could take and pass the CLA/CP exam.  She was right.  She was an inspiration to a lot of people.  I miss her greatly. Read more about Pam here.

10. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting?  Attend CLE training often to learn new things and don’t be afraid to try something new.  Remember you are there to assist the attorneys, but they are more than happy to help you learn more.

11.  What makes you lose your patience?    Attorneys waiting until the last minute then expecting you to drop everything else to get their project done even if it takes until mid-night, while they stand over you expecting that by watching it will get done sooner.

12. What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal?  Don’t give up, you will learn the terminology and you can do this.

13. Is there one thing in the world you wish you had the answer to? Cure for Cancer

Bonus Question: What’s your favorite thing to cook?    Chicken Imperial (Note: Carol has shared the recipe and I’ll post it on my blog soon.)