Paralegal Spotlight: Peggy Pardue

Peggy PardueBy the Communications Committee

This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Peggy Pardue.

I am a North Carolina Certified Paralegal at Hampson Family Law located in Raleigh.

I attended Elon college for one year before transitioning my studies to a community college. I also became a notary public in the ’80s. While formal education may be the best route for some people, experience was the best way for me to learn the skills I needed to become a successful paralegal.

Initially, I worked full time at the North Carolina Board of CPA Examiners in their disciplinary section. This position gave me a taste of the legal world. After working there for eight years, I transitioned into the role of an Executive Administrative Assistant with a local propane company. After a couple of years as an Executive Administrative Assistant when my son was young, and I had been through a divorce and remarried, I started working in a family law firm. This position gave me and continues to give me the opportunity to do something to help others who are going through similar circumstances. I thought that passion and calling would have led me to Child Support Enforcement, but I found my home with family law. As of May 2022, I have served in the legal field for 19 years.

In my role, I correspond with clients, other paralegals, and attorneys. I interview potential witnesses and draft direct and cross-examination questions. I prepare legal documents such as motions, discovery, and settlement offers. I draft financial spreadsheets and financial affidavits and assist with preparing cases for trial and mediation. I also assist clients in gathering necessary documents in order to maintain and organize their files. On a broader level, my job is to organize many aspects of my lead attorney’s practice: from calendars to files and documents. All paralegals should be aware of, and recognize how essential it is, to utilize the tools and resources to keep you and your employer organized.

Although my personal experience led me to the legal field, my inspiration and work ethic comes from my father. He truly made me the person I am today. He was a very dedicated and hard worker who was employed with the same company for over 25 years. Not only did he teach me to have a good work ethic, but to always give your best and respect others, even if you don’t always agree with them.

I hope to see the Paralegal Division continue to educate young paralegals about what they do and how to get involved. I would also share with newer paralegals that sometimes there is nothing you can do to help people and save them from themselves.

In my free time, I enjoy riding on the back of my husband’s motorcycle, certainly something I never thought I would be doing, and participating in charity rides. I also enjoy gardening, fishing, boating, riding motorcycles, and spending time with family. I hope to be retired in 10 years so I can do more of that! I also participate in pro bono and community service events. I was a Site Volunteer for the Raleigh Regional High School Mock Trial offered through the North Carolina Mock Trial Program. I am also a volunteer for the NCBA Pro Se Custody and Family Law Advice Clinic, which is organized by the Paralegal Division Pro Bono Committee.

***
The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog, the Communications Committee provides information written by attorneys, paralegals, and other experts designed specifically for paralegals in the areas of substantive law, ethics, technology, paralegal practice advice, and more. If you are interested in signing up to submit a blog post on a future date, you can do so here. When you are ready to submit a blog post, you can do so by using this form.

You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself. If you are interested in volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here.