January 2025 Volunteer Spotlight – Desiré Smith, CP

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – January 2025
Desiré Smith, CP

Desiré Smith, CP, serves NALA as Chair of the Continuing Education Council (CEC). Prior to becoming Chair, she served as a member of the CEC for three years. Desiré has been a NALA member since 2019, and she obtained her Certified Paralegal (CP^®) credential in 2020. She works for Vowels Law PLC in Henderson, Kentucky.

Desiré’s degrees are the hard-earned result of her thirst for knowledge and understanding. She has an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Daymar College of Owensboro, where she graduated cum laude. While she initially set out to earn a bachelor’s degree in human resources, she discovered that was not a path she was passionate about. At the time, she also questioned whether having a bachelor’s degree would advance her paralegal career.

However, nearly six years later, she realized that she wanted to complete the degree she had come so close to obtaining. Instead of continuing with human resources, she switched her major to business management. She wanted to finish her degree quickly so she could move onto an ABA-approved law school that allowed students to attend in a hybrid format.

“I completed my bachelor’s and then began the daunting process of studying for the LSAT, which I took in 2024,” Desiré shared. “The programs are extremely competitive, taking around 40 students out of over 750 applicants.”   

When Desiré started working at Vowels Law, she realized how valuable it could be to obtain her CP^® credential. She figured a national certification was bound to carry weight at a firm that practiced administrative law federally. While she passed the Knowledge Exam on her first try, she was disappointed when she did not immediately pass the Skills Exam. She joined a Facebook study group and learned that she would benefit from using the IRAC method, which she had practiced countless times before but had not considered using on the exam.

“On the second try, I breezed through the test and used the IRAC method, and the rest was history!”

Desiré was inspired to volunteer with NALA when she saw how the people she worked with made time in their busy lives to get involved.

“Have you ever wanted to be surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals who desire to see you succeed? That is what it is like when you step in to volunteer with NALA. You get to be behind the scenes and see all the ways that paralegals are supporting each other and excelling in their fields!”

Serving with NALA has helped Desiré see the value of NALA membership and the positive impact NALA has on the paralegal community. She encourages other NALA members to put in the work to see the results.

“If you want your career to change your life, then you must also change your life. You must invest in yourself before expecting others to invest in you.”

Desiré takes great pride in the efforts she contributes to as part of the Continuing Education Council. In early 2023, CEC members recorded a series of videos introducing the topics found on the CP^® Knowledge Exam. The videos serve as a preview of the CP^® Review courses that were available on demand from the 2022 NALA Conference & Expo. The CEC is in charge of recruiting webinar presenters and conference speakers. Their latest webinar series on torts recently concluded after four sessions.

“It has been so fun to watch the tort series develop,” Desiré said. “It is a must-have resource.”

The process of selecting speakers for NALA’s annual conference can be daunting since the CEC members have to go through each submission.

“We get hundreds of submissions every year from across the country,” Desiré explained. “Each council member reads each one and works collaboratively to assist in providing a top-notch lineup for the conference.”

Next time you attend a NALA webinar or conference session, remember that your experience was made possible because of the tireless efforts of the CEC.

Another responsibility of the CEC is the publication of NALA’s quarterly magazine,
Facts & Findings. CEC members work year-round to solicit contributions from reputable legal professionals. As Chair of the CEC, Desiré writes a standing column and serves as the Editor of Facts & Findings, ensuring that each edition meets NALA’s lofty standards and provides value to its readers.

An initiative that Desiré hopes to implement as CEC Chair is what she calls “Why CP^®?” Her goal is to empower paralegals nationwide to become certified through NALA and encourage law firms to support their paralegals by covering the cost of NALA membership and certification.

“I am very passionate about the CP^®/ACP^® credentials,” Desiré expressed. “Working for my CP^® changed my perspective and motivated me in my career, so I hope to work with the Board and the CEC to implement the ‘Why CP^®’ initiative.”

Desiré has also lent her time and energy to coaching cross country and soccer, volunteering as a CASA, and serving on her church’s frontline team. When she is not working or serving, Desiré enjoys crafting and watching TV shows. She admits to being a legal junkie even outside of work by catching up on Supreme Court decisions.

Some people Desiré looks up to are her friend who encouraged her to go to school to become a paralegal and a fierce, strong, and successful nurse practitioner named Dr. Collette Utley, who inspired her by showing her what was possible.

Desiré’s favorite quote comes from an unknown author, but it reveals her bold approach to life.

“Someone once told me not to bite off more than I could chew. I said I would rather choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity.”