March 2025 Volunteer Spotlight – Candace Russell, ACP, NCCP

NALA Volunteer Spotlight – March 2025
Candace Russell, ACP, NCCP

Candace Russell, ACP, NCCP, has been an integral part of McGuire Woods, LLP, since 2011, where she first served as a Senior Paralegal and now excels as a Docket Specialist. Her career path is a testament to adaptability and lifelong learning. She earned an associate degree in fashion in 1992 before pivoting to the legal field with a paralegal certificate in 1995 and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2002. Her unique background gives her a keen eye for detail and the honorary title of “chief of the fashion police.”

Candace has been a NALA member since 2007. After studying for several months, she passed the Certified Paralegal (CP^®) Exam on her first try and became a CP^® in 2008. In 2011, she obtained her Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP^®) credential in Trial Practice.

Candace’s volunteer journey with NALA began with the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Task Force in 2024, where she researched state requirements for legal professionals for DEI-related continuing legal education (CLE). Her inspection led to an unexpected discovery.

“I was surprised to learn that a few states do not require any continuing education for attorneys!” Candace exclaimed.

She continues to support NALA’s mission as a member of the DEI Committee and the conference’s Ambassador and Hospitality Team. These roles allow her to foster inclusion and help improve attendees’ experiences at the NALA conference.

For those considering volunteering, Candace’s advice is simple: “Jump in wherever your talents or interests lie, even for a short-term commitment if that is all your schedule allows.”

Candace’s favorite NALA conference memory is the Derby Hat Contest in Louisville in 2024, a perfect match for the chief of the fashion police and her love of hats. She donned a wide-brimmed navy blue hat with swirling organza details that resembled flowers.

Outside of work, Candace serves as the president of her church council. She enjoys traveling, hiking, exercising, and reading. Her adventurous spirit took her on an incredible journey in September 2024 when she walked over 100 miles across rural Spain on the Camino de Santiago. The experience gave her a deep sense of peace and taught her the value of simplicity and self-sufficiency since everything she needed had to fit in her backpack.

She carries this spirit of adventure into her work and volunteerism, enthusiastically embracing new opportunities. She saw a quote that resonated with her on a poster of the Cheshire Cat in Logroño, Spain. It said, “Every adventure requires a first step.”

We are grateful for Candace’s dedication to NALA and the legal profession. Her passion, humor, and commitment to lifelong learning inspire us all.