paralegal interview

Summary

Kelly Perkins, a seasoned paralegal with 24 years of experience, shares her journey from studying political science to working in various legal roles. She recounts her experiences, including internships, legal aid, litigation support, and risk management for the city. Kelly emphasizes the value of being detail-oriented and open to new opportunities. She highlights her involvement in significant cases, such as tobacco litigation, and the personal satisfaction of contributing to her community. With a passion for law and a grounded approach to career growth, Kelly offers insightful advice to future paralegals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Kelly Perkins has been a paralegal for 24 years and initially considered law school but found her niche in the paralegal profession.
• 😀 Kelly’s education includes a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in English, followed by a paralegal certificate from the JCC paralegal program.
• 😀 Kelly's first paralegal job was as an intern with Judge Karen Arnold Berger, where she observed court proceedings and worked on special projects.
• 😀 Kelly’s experience at Legal Aid included a variety of roles, such as working on domestic violence cases, Social Security disability, and foster care cases.
• 😀 She also had a role in mediating small claims court disputes, helping parties reach agreements before going before a judge.
• 😀 At RSI, Kelly worked as an investigator, supporting litigation related to the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries by collecting and analyzing records.
• 😀 Kelly worked on large-scale litigation, including a historic tobacco trial in Florida that resulted in a $145 billion verdict.
• 😀 Kelly transitioned to her current role at the City of Overland Park, where she handles risk management, insurance coordination, and contract support for municipal services.
• 😀 In her risk management role, Kelly investigates claims and coordinates with attorneys to assess liability and ensure proper insurance coverage for city assets.
• 😀 Kelly’s work supporting contracts involves reviewing municipal service contracts, ensuring they are complete, and coordinating necessary signatures from various stakeholders.
• 😀 Kelly finds satisfaction in making a positive impact on the community through her work at the city, and she enjoys being a detail-oriented behind-the-scenes contributor.
• 😀 Kelly advises aspiring paralegals to be open to unexpected opportunities in their careers and learn from each experience, as skills and knowledge gained in one role can translate to future success.

Q & A

How long has Kelly Perkins been working as a paralegal?

Kelly Perkins has been working as a paralegal for 24 years.

Did Kelly Perkins always know she wanted to be a paralegal?

No, Kelly Perkins decided to become a paralegal around her sophomore or junior year of college after developing an interest in government and political science classes.

What was Kelly Perkins' educational background before becoming a paralegal?

Kelly Perkins graduated from Shawnee Mission East and earned a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in English from Kansas University (KU). She then attended the JCCC Paralegal Program, where she earned a paralegal certificate.

Can you tell us about Kelly Perkins' first job as a paralegal?

Kelly Perkins' first job as a paralegal was an internship with Judge Karen Arnold Berger, a municipal court judge for Overland Park, Kansas. This was a volunteer position where she observed court proceedings, interacted with attorneys, and helped with special projects.

What types of work did Kelly Perkins do at Legal Aid?

At Legal Aid, Kelly Perkins worked on multiple projects, including assisting with divorces and domestic violence cases, helping people apply for Social Security disability, working with foster children, and managing mediation programs for small claims court.

How did Kelly Perkins contribute to the tobacco litigation project at RSI?

Kelly Perkins worked as an investigator at RSI, where she gathered and analyzed comprehensive life history records for individuals involved in litigation against the tobacco industry. She helped collect medical, military, and employment records and reviewed them for consistency, among other tasks.

What was Kelly Perkins' role in managing risk and insurance for the city?

Kelly Perkins manages risk by handling claims under the city's deductible and coordinating with attorneys for legal advice. She also manages the city's insurance policies, ensuring that all assets are appropriately covered and provides information to other departments about insurance matters.

What does Kelly Perkins do in relation to public works contracts?

Kelly Perkins reviews public works contracts to ensure all necessary documentation is in order before passing them to the relevant attorney for further review. She also coordinates getting signatures from key city officials, such as the mayor, city manager, and city clerk.

What is the most interesting or unusual case Kelly Perkins worked on as a paralegal?

Kelly Perkins considers the tobacco litigation project she worked on at RSI as one of the most interesting and unusual cases. She was involved in the Howard Engel and Normal Brain cases, which culminated in the largest verdict in Florida’s history, totaling $145 billion.

What advice does Kelly Perkins have for current paralegal students?

Kelly Perkins advises paralegal students to remain open to the opportunities that come their way. While she initially envisioned herself working in trial law, her career took a different path, and she encourages others to embrace all opportunities that lead to personal and professional growth.