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July Volunteer Spotlight

NALA Volunteer Spotlight
Kimberly A.S. Brown, ACP
July 2021

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Kimberly A. Brown, ACP, has dedicated the last 27 years to the paralegal profession. Her passion for the field is evident through her advanced education and volunteer spirit. Kim is not only a Certified Paralegal, but she obtained Advanced Certified Paralegal designations in both Trial Practice and Discovery. Over the last decade, she has served on NALA’s Continuing Education Council and the NALA Certifying Board. She currently serves on NALA’s Board of Directors as Certifying Board Chairperson.

“I am honored to volunteer for my local NALA affiliate, the Nebraska Paralegal Association, and for NALA,” Kim said. “I have learned about governance, leadership, and managing resources effectively, among many others. I have learned from the best of the best and have made lifelong friends through both organizations.”

Her favorite part of paralegal work is investigating.

“Although I have been a litigation paralegal for 27 years and love trial work, the investigation part of my job has to be the most rewarding – searching and searching for pertinent information and then finally finding what is needed is rewarding in my book!”

Throughout her impressive career, Kim has learned many valuable lessons she wanted to share with upcoming paralegals – the first being to learn something every single day.

“Learn more than you will ever want to know about your field of law and technology,” she said. “Knowledge is power in many different ways, and the more you know, the more respect you will have with your attorneys, paralegals, and staff. With that said, earn the NALA Certified Paralegal designation and as many Advanced Certifications as possible. Then educate your attorneys on the importance of each.”

Secondly, she encourages fellow paralegals to know and understand their worth.

“Negotiate your salary, paid time off, flexibility, and benefits. Do not take less than what you are worth but be sure you are worth what you are asking. In other words, don’t over ask and under deliver. Also, do not sacrifice time with your family for your career. Your career will always be there, family will not.”

Finally, she encourages paralegals to volunteer.

“Volunteer as your time allows,” she said. “Volunteers reap many more benefits than their efforts. The blessings, the friendships, and the knowledge you gain from volunteering is immeasurable.”

When she is not busy taking her own advice and volunteering, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband of 27 years, Aaron, and their two beautiful and talented children, Mason and Abigail. She also takes pride in her two fur babies – Henry, a 4-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, and Oscar, a 2-year-old Lab/Wirehair mix.

“I thoroughly enjoy photography, snow skiing, and hiking,” Kim added. “My family loves the fresh air and peacefulness of the mountains.”

Kim also enjoys reading, watching Grey’s Anatomy and Manifest, and watching her favorite movie – The Biggest Little Farm.

When asked if she could meet anyone – past or present – she responded, “Next to having one (or many) more dinner(s) with my father who passed almost 20 years ago, I would have to choose Rosa Parks. The courage to stand up for what is right and justifiable in a time of turmoil takes such poise and strength. I would love to understand how she would use that poise and strength in the 21st century and pass any advice she would have to young people today. There are so many other people I would want to meet including Steve Jobs, Jimmy Fallon, Oprah Winfrey, Sandra Bullock, Mark Ruffalo, and of course, Erin Brockovich.”