Paralegal Spotlight: Bonnie Thayer Dubier
By the Communications Committee 
Paralegal Spotlight is the Division’s monthly publication designed to share Division members’ stories with colleagues, inspire present and future paralegal professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association.
Each month, we select one amazing paralegal from among our membership and ask them to share a little bit about their personal and professional life. Join Paralegal Spotlight as we learn more about member talents, skills, personal and professional goals, technology tips, accomplishments, volunteer work, and more.
This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Bonnie Thayer Dubier.
Position Title: Director of Personnel/Mediator.
Major Duties: Case management and legal research and managing internship programs, maintaining CRM systems, creating and implementing marketing strategies, mediating disputes, researching and maintaining compliance with the State Bar and HR policies.
Who is your current employer? Cummings and Kennedy Law Firm.
Where is your current employer located? Beaufort, N.C.
What is your educational background? Pepperdine Graziadio Business School — MBA candidate, Pepperdine Law Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution — Master of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law — Master of Legal Studies, Carteret County Community College — post baccalaureate degree in paralegal technology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington — B.A. in theatre performance, minor in film production.
What paralegal certification(s) do you have? North Carolina State Bar certification and Notary Public. I am also a member of the North Carolina Paralegal Association.
How long have you worked as a paralegal? Almost 4 years.
What’s one thing you’d like to see the NCBA PD do/accomplish for its membership? Market the importance of a legal education for paralegals. It has become a necessity for paralegals and legal assistants to have or pursue a degree in paralegal studies in order to effectively operate a successful law firm.
Was being a paralegal your first career or did you transition from another field? I transitioned from sales and marketing.
What did you never think you would be doing that you are doing now (does not have to be work-related)? I’m in graduate school. I’ve completed two master’s degrees and currently am an MBA candidate.
What are you reading right now? “Crucial Conversations” and “Behavior in Organizations.” I just binged “Cobra Kai” on Netflix.
What might someone be surprised to know about you? I’m a PK (preacher’s kid). I am also great at Entertainment trivia and I was a bartender for many years.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about becoming a paralegal? Get a paralegal degree! During the hiring and training process, I’ve definitely seen a difference between candidates who have or are in pursuit of a paralegal degree and those who do not have the education. If you are new to the field, this degree from an ABA approved program is required to sit for the North Carolina Bar exam.
What is your favorite, perhaps little-known, technology tip? Setting up CRM systems to auto-populate forms and documents will save a lot of time during client intakes and case management.
The Division congratulates Bonnie Thayer Dubier for her accomplishments and appreciates her for participating in Paralegal Spotlight. If you are interested in networking with Ms. Dubier, you can connect with her on Linkedin.
The Paralegal Division Blog is managed by the Division’s Communications Committee. Via the blog and listserv, 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 volunteering with the Communications Committee, please contact the Communications Committee Chair, Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, at [email protected]. If you are interested in joining other Division committees, you can review a list of committees and sign up here.
You may also wish to participate in the Division by using our virtual suggestion box to submit suggestions/ideas to the Division Council, submitting a proposed blog post, nominating a paralegal for Paralegal Spotlight, or completing the Paralegal Spotlight Questionnaire if you are nominating yourself.