Paralegal Spotlight: Courtney Emmons

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 Courtney Emmons.

Position Title: Senior Paralegal.

Major Duties: I work alongside two of our three remarkably talented attorneys at our firm. I suppose the work I do would be considered an advanced or complex level of investigation, discovery and formation of various cases. I specialize in estate planning based on prior firm experience, and I was especially excited to transfer my estate planning knowledge and skills to our current firm. I’m highly involved in our cases and genuinely love what I do.

Who is your current employer? Fitzgerald Litigation, Winston-Salem, NC.

What is your educational background? Whatcom Community College, associate degree. Western Washington University, Bachelor’s degree. I’m a sociology nerd.

How long have you worked as a paralegal? Almost 7 years.

How did you choose the paralegal field? To be perfectly honest and slightly cliche, I think the paralegal field chose me! Prior to becoming a paralegal, I worked as a fiscal technician at the university I attended. My employment contract with the university expired the exact day that I met the attorney I worked for. He hired me the next day and the rest is history!

Favorite podcast, favorite Netflix (or other streaming service) series? I love anything crime related. When I take long drives to see my family in Mississippi, I listen to the podcast called “Crime Junkies” for the entire drive. Eight hours of continuous crime podcasts is my way to keep my mind occupied! I also love to watch any crime-related shows like Mindhunter, Narcos, Battle Creek, etc.

What do you do to relax (and why)? I live in downtown Winston-Salem, so long city walks with my Yorkie, Ruby, are relaxing for me. I love to meet new people on sidewalks and have interesting conversations. I’ve seen each episode of The Golden Girls over 200 times (not exaggerating), and I think it’s because it brings me relaxation and happy nostalgia. My mom and I watched it together every night when I was a kid. I also sometimes like to drink a glass of moscato and kick back.

What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment? My one-year anniversary at my current firm was a big accomplishment for me. I worked at a tiny law firm in Washington State before moving to North Carolina, and I never learned to actively work on 30+ cases at once. When I moved to N.C. and started working at Fitzgerald Litigation, I was shocked by the sheer volume of the firm’s caseload. At one point, I started doubting if I could even handle it. I’m so glad I stuck it out and continued to improve my knowledge and skills as a paralegal. Never underestimate your potential.

What role model or influencer shaped who you are now and what lessons have you learned from them? So many strong women! My mom is my role model and the strongest woman I know. She raised me as a single parent in rural Mississippi with her unbreakable independence and determination. My other British-Canadian mum who was always there for me when I moved to Washington. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also influenced who I am today. As the youngest woman elected to the House of Representatives, she has shattered glass ceilings for many professional young women all over the country. I can say with certainty that I’m a more confident woman in the legal industry because of her.

Share a life changing epiphany: a moment of life-defining change that shaped you into the person you are today. I think the first life-defining moment was when I left Mississippi at age 19. I packed my little Honda to the brim, filled with sentimental items, and drove to Washington State in search of a new and different life. I somehow developed teenage independence in a brand new state with strength I never knew I had. I lived in Washington State for 8 years before starting all over again in North Carolina.

The Division congratulates Courtney Emmons for her accomplishments and appreciates her for participating in Paralegal Spotlight. If you are interested in networking with Ms. Emmons, 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.