February Volunteer Spotlight

February 2022 Volunteer Spotlight
Yolanda Garcia, CP

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When NALA’s President needed someone to be the inaugural chair of the association’s first-ever Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Yolanda Garcia, CP, PLS, TBLS-BCP, answered the call. “When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself ‘What have I done?!!’”, she says. “Although it was quite scary at the beginning, I have navigated my way through with the assistance of my co-paralegals on the committee. I have learned that all NALA committee predecessors are so extremely helpful and guide your way to succeeding in your appointed positions.”

Yolanda, who goes by the nickname Yolie, works as a paralegal in the Trial Department at Kemp Smith, LLP in El Paso, Texas. She says she loves every aspect of her work. “I enjoy written discovery and preparation and attending trials. I am at my best when I am preparing for trial.”

Yolie says her greatest accomplishment is becoming certified, first through NALA, then through the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. She served two terms as President of the El Paso Paralegal Association, an experience she found both challenging and rewarding.

Her advice for fellow and upcoming paralegals is to “take pride in your work and be nice to associates because they grow up to be senior partners!”

Yolie is married to her high school sweetheart and looks forward to celebrating 46 years of marriage in 2022. The couple has a daughter, two sons, and three precious granddaughters. “I love being a Nana!”, she says.

Her favorite movie is Mamma Mia. She loves books by John Grisham and Danielle Steele. Her favorite television shows are This is Us and Golden Girls.

Yolie loves to read, craft, and sew. “My greatest joy is crafting with my granddaughters,” she says. She sewed more than 100 masks to donate to her local hospital at the start of the pandemic. She also made masks for family, friends, and co-workers.