Lisa Lynch, CRP, is a litigation paralegal employed City of Dallas and is the immediate Past President of the Dallas Area Paralegal Association. She received her Paralegal Certificate from the Professional Development Institute at the University of North Texas
Lisa was certified by NFPA as a Core Registered Paralegal in 2011, becoming one of the first 16 CRPs in the State of Texas and initial 148 paralegals in the nation who passed the pilot exam administered at 12 test sites across the country.
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1. What prompted you to choose a paralegal career? One of my first jobs as a paralegal was contract. It was supposed to last 2 weeks and it went on for 18 months. I had so much fun and I was devastated when the case was over. I was hooked!
2. What is your favorite part of your job? I would say besides the work, it would be the people I work with. I have an amazing team of professionals I work with every day!
3. What professional associations do you belong to? Dallas Area Paralegal Association (DAPA) and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA)
4. How has your membership benefited you? I have met the most amazing paralegals who have been my mentors and friends! At least once I was able to use my networking through DAPA to get a job.
5. What has been the highlight of your career? I have had several throughout the years, starting with earning my CRP. Another is being involved with and currently holding the office of president of DAPA. It’s such a wonderful organization! I have an amazing Board this year!! Also, DAPA hosted the NFPA Annual Convention which we could not have done without our wonderful planning committee and my host coordinator, Cynthia Minchillo.
6. What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? It looks like the profession is slowly moving towards regulation – LLLT is due to hit any time and in more than one state.
7. If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? Find an ABA approved program, if possible. Get involved in an association, and do as much pro bono and community service as you have time for. The connections and lessons you make through an association and volunteerism are immeasurable. Once school is completed, get a certification.
8. Is there a quote that inspires you? There are several! One of my favorites –
“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I
acted and behold, service was joy.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
9. You’ve enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I would have to say that Ann Moore influenced me tremendously! I miss her every day!
10. What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? Never stop learning! Never stop networking! Never stop doing pro bono work!!
11. What was your first job? I was a dance instructor’s assistant at a very early age and continued to teach through my teen years.
12. If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? Doctor. It was my dream growing up until I got to microbiology!
13. What Web site do you visit daily? www.dallasparalegals.org and gmail.com
Bonus Question: What is your favorite hobby? Reading – I wish I had more time for this!!