Joanne E. Demers, ACP, is a paralegal with Varnum LLP in their Novi office. Joanne has an Associate’s Degree in Legal Assistant Studies, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Administration. She earned a Certified Paralegal Credential from NALA; as well as the Advanced Paralegal Certification in Discovery from NALA .
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1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? I went to a career planning day when I was looking to return to college, and the paralegal program course description was very intriguing to me. Once I started taking the classes I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do.
2. What is your favorite part of your job? As a defense litigation paralegal, discovery is my favorite part. I love the research, “digging up the dirt,” and finding the discrepancies between the plaintiff’s discovery responses or deposition testimony and the documents we’ve obtained that prove otherwise and strengthen our case.
3. What professional associations do you belong to?
- State Bar of Michigan, Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section
- Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association, Legal Assistant Section
- NALA
- Michigan Defense Trial Counsel
4. How has your membership benefited you? The benefit is primarily in continuing legal education as a paralegal. NALA provides excellent opportunity to obtain continuing legal education whether or not your goal is for certification.
Also, I always look forward to the Michigan Bar Association Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section’s Annual Day of Education in May. Networking is also an important part of membership. It’s enjoyable to meet with other paralegals and discover the commonalities and differences in us and our practices.
5. What has been the highlight of your career? Passing NALA’s certification exam. It was my next goal after obtaining my master’s degree, but was very intimidating to me. It took a while to get up the courage commit to studying for it and taking the exam. I learned a great deal when studying for it and am proud of the accomplishment.
6. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Technology is always on the upswing and we need to learn to deal with the new programs and software, especially when dealing with eDiscovery. It is not my forte and I struggle with it, so I have to work harder to learn and understand the new stuff.
7. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Education is extremely important, both at school and on the job. You will always be learning, and new things will always come across your desk. As you learn more, you become more qualified and efficient at handling whatever job that comes your way.
Organization is key in our profession. Attorneys rely on us to review case documents, organize them, and to know where they are when they are needed.
Also, find your niche, whatever you are good at is what you will excel at. Don’t be afraid to look elsewhere if you don’t like what you do, and don’t be afraid to be challenged with something new. You might find out that is where you belong.
8. Is there a quote that inspires you? “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24
9. You’ve enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I can’t attribute my success to a single person. My parents get the credit for raising me and instilling a strong sense of work ethic in me.
I’ve been very fortunate to have had various supervisors and attorneys in many of the jobs I’ve had that recognized my talents and capabilities, even if I hadn’t yet, and either encouraged me or moved me into positions that utilized my strengths and allowed me to grow. That benefitted both of us because I learned what I was capable of and they had an employee that got the job done.
My husband, Ken, an attorney, is very supportive of me in my endeavors, and I could not do as well without him and the discussions that we have together. I also work for a law firm that is very supportive of continuing legal education that allows me to continue to be successful.
10. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? You must be proactive in doing the work assigned to you, learning what your attorney needs from you and providing it, and continuing to educate yourself to expand your knowledge which, of course, increases your ability/capability to do your work.
Sign up for ezines/newsletters, like Paralegal Strategies, for information, education and encouragement. Attend webinars. Read the articles in NALA’s Facts and Findings magazine. Encouragement and support are invaluable. Think outside the box. A cliché, but it’s essential to keep your career fresh and yourself open to different ways or new ways to do your job. Also, keep your sense of humor. This job is tough enough without being stressed and serious all of the time.
11. What was your first job? At age 16 I worked at Kresge’s at Eastland Mall. I was a cashier in “yard goods” where they sold the dress-making fabrics, sewing needles, yarn, crochet hooks, knitting needles, ribbons, dress patterns, embroidery patterns, embroidery thread, fake flowers, vases, and anything to do with making things yourself.
12. What’s your favorite vacation getaway? A week’s trip to California split between hiking in Yosemite National Park and a stay in Carmel. Also, the riskiest thing I ever did was to go rafting on the Upper Gauley River in West Virginia.
13. What is your favorite Web site? Facebook. I love keeping up with family and friends on it.
Bonus Question: You’ve been given the chance to have dinner with anyone living or dead. Who is it? M