Sonjanita C. Jordan is a freelance paralegal and the owner of LA Paralegals, LLC, where she specializes in criminal law. She is the current President of the New Orleans Paralegal Association. She has a paralegal certificate from the University of New Orleans.
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Why did you choose a paralegal career? I have always had an interest in the law. Growing up I witnessed the bad sides of the law/law enforcement and the good sides of the law/law enforcement and I decided I wanted to make a difference and be on the good side.
What is your favorite part of your job? Helping others that don’t know how to help themselves sometimes.
What professional associations do you belong to? I am the President of the New Orleans Paralegal Association and a member of the Louisiana State Paralegal Association.
How has your membership benefited you? Getting to know other paralegals and networking experience has been priceless.
What has been the highlight of your career? Owning my own business and becoming the president of the New Orleans Paralegal Association.
What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry? Nurse paralegals are in big demand right now.
If someone contemplating a paralegal career asked you for career advice, what would your answer be? I would say that they have made an excellent choice and they should not limit themselves to the first firm that they encounter. This is a large field and they should work in different arenas to see what they love.
You’ve enjoyed a successful paralegal career. To what single event or person do you attribute that success? I attribute my success to Ms. Karn Weirman who was the director of the Paralegal Program at the University of New Orleans when I was a student. She pushed me and encouraged me in ways that truly helped me not limit myself or my success.
What is the most important step a paralegal can take to keep his or her career interesting? I believe that networking and taking every opportunity to learn new skills are key factors in keeping your career interesting.
What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal? I would tell me to network and find a successful paralegal that can mentor me.
If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? College Professor/Teacher.
Is there a quote that inspires you? I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.
What electronic device can you not live without? Anything “I” (Iphone, Ipad)
What was your first car? An Orange 1982 Fiesta.
What unusual item do you own? I love butterflies so I have everything under the sun with butterflies on it. (e.g. watch, shirts, sundress, shades, rings, earrings, tablets, cards, clocks, pictures, etc)
What was your first job? When I was 15 years old I worked at Wendy’s. My first legal job was a legal secretary in Monroe, Louisiana for the law firm of Hunter, Scott, Blue & Johnson.
From American history, who is your hero? Sojourner Truth (She was a leader)
What is the best live concert you’ve ever attended? Prince
What’s your favorite food? Shrimp & Chicken Alfredo
What sports team are you passionate about? The New Orleans Saints – Who Dat!!!
What’s your favorite vacation getaway? The Bahamas
What is the one thing you wish you were better at? Sewing
What is your favorite hobby? Reading
What makes you lose your patience? People who look down on others and think that they are better than others.
What Web site do you visit daily? CNN
What TV channel do you most often have on? OWN
What scares you the most? The hatred of people.
Is there one thing in the world you wish you had the answer to? How to stop all violence.
What word do you always have a problem spelling? Sheriff
What is your favorite Web site? Groupons (lol)
What college classes did you love? All of my legal classes.
Where do you like to go to have fun? Any sporting events. (Saints games, Pelican games, etc.)
What’s your favorite thing to cook? Spaghetti
You’ve been given the chance to have dinner with anyone living or dead. Who is it? Maya Angelou
If you could go back in time to one point in your life, where would you go? To my senior year in high school. I had a blast!! Lol
What is your guilty pleasure food? Zapp’s Potato Chips