Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Paralegal Profile: Jaye Koch, ACP

 
Jaye Koch, ACP, is a Senior Paralegal at the Virginia Beach Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney where she enjoys doing any type of research (especially legal) and trial preparation.

Jaye has a B.A. Political Science, from Virginia Wesleyan College 1982 and a Paralegal Certificate, from Tidewater Community College, 1986. She earned her NALA Certified Paralegal designation in 2004 and her ACP-Trial Practice (NALA), in 2009.
  
She is a member of Tidewater Paralegal Association (TPA), Local Government Paralegal Association (LGPA),  Virginia Alliance of Paralegal Associations (VAPA), Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) and National Association of Legal Assistants/Paralegals (NALA). She says the greatest benefit of her professional association membership is definitely networking, meeting paralegals in her specialty area as well as other areas of practice,  and many opportunities to earn CLE credits.

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1.    What prompted you to choose a paralegal career?  I was entering my senior year of college and considering law school. 

The college guidance counselor told me about this “new” paralegal profession, which peaked my interest even more when I became engaged to my (first) husband.  Then I started an internship in the Victim/Witness Office of my current employer.  That was it.  I knew I wanted to be a Paralegal!

2.    What has been the highlight of your career?  Earning the CP designation, passing the ACP-Trial Practice exam and serving on the NALA Certifying Board; and guilty verdicts on any cases that included me working in the courtroom with the prosecutor

3.    What do you see as hot trends in the paralegal industry?  eDiscovery, courtroom technology and back to focusing on soft skills

4.    Is there a quote that inspires you?  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

5.    What was your first car? Rambler (we called it root beer because it had a tan top and a brown body)

6. What fad do you regret being a part of? Balloon pants!

7.   What advice would you give yourself if you met you as a first-year paralegal? Never stop learning, look for training opportunities

8.    If you could not be a paralegal, what would be your dream job? Coordinating and leading mission teams

9.    What makes you lose your patience? Rude people

10.    Is there one thing in the world you wish you had the answer to? Curing cancer

11.    What fad do you regret being a part of? Balloon pants

12.    The riskiest thing I ever did was... Go zip lining in El Salvador (fun!), followed closely by taking a motorcycle class that didn’t go well

13.    Is there a philosophy you live by? Be nice to people, you don’t know what is going on their world

Bonus Question: You've been given a chance to have dinner with anyone living or dead. Who is it? My Dad. He passed away in 2007.

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