Paralegal Interviewed:Sami K Hartsfield, ACP

Advanced Certified ParalegalWith 6 Advanced Paralegal

Specialty Certifications

NALA Advanced Specialty Certifications:• Trial Practice• Discovery• Contract Management• Entity Medical Liability• Individual Medical Liability• Social Security Disability

• Also West Law Next Certified

Specialty Certifications

Legal Secretarial Course in 2004

AAS in Paralegal Studies in 2007Center for Advanced Legal Studies (Houston)

Paralegal Internship at Lone Star Legal AidParalegal Internship with Texas 14th Court of Appealsunder Chief Justice Adele Hedges in 2007

Pre Law Institute University of Houston (Summer 2008)

BS in Political Science in 2011 University of Houston Downtownsumma cum laude

Educational Background

Experience as civil litigation paralegal: Personal Injury Medical Malpractice defense Social Security Disability

Family Law Workman’s Compensation

Experience in transactional law: Probate Real Property

Work Experience

Law Firm Webmaster/ Social Media & email Marketer

Current Work: Senior Paralegal at Consumer Law FirmHelps Clients Resolve Debt Problems

Firm Specializes in Client Defense, Violations of Fair Debt Collections, Consumer Fraud Problems

Freelance Ghostwrite for Personal Injury Firm

Writes Legally Blog®Recent Published Articles:

“What is a FOIA request & how do I make one?” 2/2012 National Paralegal Reporter

“Discovery Fundamentals Top Ten”1/2012 for the Institute for Paralegal

Education

Work Experience

Client Interviews Factual InvestigationWriting: Pleadings, Articles, Briefs, Blogs

Recently drafted Summary JudgmentLegal researchAssembling Witness & Expert Lists, Exhibits Document Production Management

Typical Job Duties in Current Work

Enjoys client contact, interviewing clients & collaborative work with attorneys

• Likes use of improved technologies, devices for efficiency, proficient with web design

• Likes to Argue • Developed public speaking skills

through Toastmaster participation• Likes variety and diversity within

paralegal and law• Likes use of writing and analytic skills

in paralegal work

Paralegal Career

Primarily by Networking!She is a Member of:

National Association of Legal Assistants State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division Litigation SectionHouston Metropolitan Paralegal AssociationAmerican Association of NotariesElectronic Data Extraction Network

Recommended Methods to Find

Paralegal Work

• Seize further educational opportunities• Develop public speaking skills & writing skills • Find a Paralegal Mentor• Join Paralegal Organizations as an active member

Network with others in legal services• Volunteer for Legal Service Organization (Lone Star

Legal Aid) to improve learning & build relationships• Emphasize any previous expertise that is useful in Paralegal work• Concentrate on legal area that is interesting to you

Paralegal Career & Education Advice

• During interview- use listening skills more than speaking skills

• Be confident • Dress conservatively- but wear something to

instill self worth, confidence• Resumes: Let another paralegal critique your

resume• Find area of law that is interesting, focus on

learning, gaining experience in that specialty topic

• Eliminate areas of law that are not of interest

Interviewing Advice